It took 54 days, but Florida Atlantic has finally finished their match against Stetson (4-5-4, 3-0-1 ASUN). The match, scheduled for August 29, was delayed in the 52nd minute due to weather. Both teams found an opening to finish the match on Oct. 22. The Owls earned the victory against the Hatters to extend their win streak to four before two important AAC contests to close out the season.
Before the delay it was a dominant first half for Mamadou Diarra (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle) as he had a hat trick including two goals within 28 seconds. All three goals were assisted by Sebastian Zettl. The three assists tied the Florida Atlantic single-game record with 45 minutes left.
Even after two months, the rain never left Boca Raton. The final 38 minutes were played in light rain as the Owls and Hatters finally continued the match.
Both teams mass subbed their squads including both goal keepers as FAU’s Francisco Ranieri took the place of Nacho Alfaro who suffered an injury in Sunday’s match against FIU.
Ajay Stewart scored his first goal of the season in the 79th minute for FAU, while Zettl broke Florida Atlantic’s single-game assists record with his total of four.
Noel Williamson capped the match with the Owls fifth goal in the 86th minute as FAU went on to win 5-1.
Florida Atlantic had three players score in the match with Diarra leading the way with his three goals. The senior had the first hat trick for the Owls since 2014. Williamson and Stewart both scored their first goals of the season as well. Zettl had four of the five FAU assists. Ranieri was challenged once as he had one save, and the only Owl to play the full match was Jozo Cancar (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle).
Florida Atlantic (6-4-3, 2-2-1 AAC) travels to Memphis (6-6-2, 3-1-1 AAC) for the final road match of the regular season. The Tigers have lost their past two matches, but have a win against Charlotte that keeps Memphis tied with the 49ers for first in the AAC. FAU can make noise though as the Owls face Charlotte after Memphis. If Florida Atlantic can win out and Charlotte drops their match against UAB, the Owls could find themselves with the top overall seed. All that must wait until the results from Memphis are final as the match between the Owls and Tigers is on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 8 P.M.