FAU Women’s Soccer Ready to Begin Sun Belt Conference Play in Arkansas Road Trip

September 21, 2011

Boca Raton, FL - The first winning non-conference since 2005 has the Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer team prepared to begin Sun Belt Conference action this weekend with a pair of matches in Arkansas. The Owls will faceArkansas State University on Friday, September 23, at 4 p.m. before battling the University of Arkansas-Little Rock on Sunday, September 25, at 1 p.m.

FAU swept the two schools last year in Boca Raton – beating Arkansas State with a score of 1-0 and scoring a season-high six goals in a shutout win over UALR -- to open conference play in a season in which the team qualified for the postseason tournament.

The Owls, 4-3 for the season, take positive momentum heading into Friday’s match after a 1-0 victory overFurmanUniversitylast week. This marked the third time in five home matches that the team has not allowed a goal. Junior goalkeeper Ashley Lantes was named the SBC Player of the Week after making a career-high 14 saves in the match, tying for the second-most saves in a match in program history.

“It is important that we build off last week’s win over a good Furman team,” said Brian Dooley, FAU’s head women’s soccer coach. “We may have been getting outshot but we maintained a strong defensive presence. The non-conference season has allowed us to have success on both ends of the field. We now must put everything altogether in the conference matches.”

Sophomore forward Jesse Shugg continues to pace the offense with four goals and 25 shots. The Burlington, Ontario, Canada native scored five of her seven goals last year in conference play. Junior forward Allison Griffin has scored two goals – both game winners – with one being the team’s lone goal against Furman. Sophomore forward Brittney Nash leads the team with four assists, while redshirt junior midfielder Meghan Brown has added three assists.

With Lantes, the Owls benefit from having one of the SBC’s top goalkeepers. The junior fromClermont,Fla., has posted three shutouts this season, ranks third in the conference with 39 saves and has a respectable .796 save percentage.

Friday’s opponent, Arkansas State, stands 2-4-2 on the season and is coming off a 4-4 draw against the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The team’s two wins have come against Mississippi State University with a score of 3-1, on August 21 and a 2-0 triumph over Central Arkansas on August 25. Jessica Jinglad, Kara Nitti and Christine Giles lead the Red Wolves’ balanced scoring attack, with each scoring three goals. Ashley McMurtry leads the league with five assists.

“ArkansasStatewill come out with a lot of confidence after having some good battles with us in the past,” said Dooley. “They are always a very competitive team and play a good style of soccer. It will definitely be a strong challenge for us.”

Meanwhile, UALR compiled a 4-5 record in non-conference action. The team is coming off a 2-1 win over theUniversityofCentral Arkansaslast Friday. This triumph broke a three-match losing streak in which the Trojans have been shutout 12-0. The squad has won its three home matches againstMissouri State University,Arkansas-Pine BluffandCentral Arkansas. Rachael Raina and Christina Veasley lead UALR with three goals a piece.

“UALR has always been a difficult match for us. They have players who are dangerous in space,” said Dooley.

Follow the Owls this season at www.fausports.com.