BOCA RATON, Fla. – A stronger offensive push in the second half by Charlotte was not enough as the 49ers lost their Conference USA opener at Florida Atlantic, 1-0, Friday night in Boca Raton, Fla. It marked the second-straight season in which the Niners started league play in the Sunshine State.

As the teams headed to the intermission deadlocked and no score for either side, Charlotte (3-4-1, 0-1 C-USA) turned up the tempo offensively the second 45 minutes in hopes of placing the ball between the pipes. However, it was unable to find the back of the net as the Owls capitalized on an opportunity in the 78th minute for the game’s only goal.

Following a Claire Emslie corner kick, the ball remained loose inside the 18-yard penalty box and Sydney Tomlinson recorded the initial Florida Atlantic (6-4-1, 1-0 C-USA) attempt. After her shot was saved by Conference USA Defensive Player of the Week, 49ers’ goalkeeper Annika McHenry, the ball continued to be unpossessed until Asta Arnadottir knocked home the rebound at 77:52 for the clincher.

Charlotte was not without chances itself, however, as three-consecutive shots by Maddie Kiebel, Sara Trexler and Jessica Ryan, who was playing in her first game of the season upon return from injury, forced the Owls’ netminder, Sydney Drinkwater, into two saves during the barrage in the 58th and 59th minutes.

Their three shots equaled the entire Niners’ total in the opening period but helped set the tone during the second stanza when Charlotte would finish with seven attempts, reaching double digits for the contest. Jennifer Lee, Amanda Jones and Kiebel each posted two shots to pace the squad.

The 49ers look to rebound Sunday when they travel down I-95 and stay in south Florida for a 1 p.m. meeting with FIU in Miami.

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