In a series of streaks, FAU wanted to stretch their non-losing streak to the Panthers of FIU by eleven. With the FAU Owls social media page pushing for a Red Out the supporters showed out. Sadly for the Owls, the push was not enough to overcome the Panthers two goals.
FIU was the aggressor for most of the first half. To start the game FIU would force the issue and would score from the right foot of fielder Noemi Paquin in the tenth minute. To give the Panthers their first lead against the Owls since the 2021 season. FAU’s defense had a poor pass intercepted which led to the goal from the middle of the penalty area.
During the 33rd minute, Junior Michelle Horan (10) would be hit in the face by the ball and would be taken out. She would come back at the start of the second half.
In the final five minutes of the first half the possession stayed on FAU’s side of the pitch. The Owls would not be able to convert on three straight shot attempts after having goalie, Valery Restrepo, out of position. After the commotion in the final moments of the first half goalkeeper and team co-captain Lexi Gonzalez (1) held the ball until the blow of the whistle to close out the half.
FAU would be the ones to get shots off during the first half. tripling the Panthers total of two shots. The Owls would not be able to find the net though on their six shot attempts in the first half.
To start the second half FAU was be able to start strong before an offsides flag was raised. Defensively the Owls kept an aggressive approach keeping the defenders on the midfield line during possession on the FIU side of the field.
As possession evened out during the 58th minute of the match FIU became aggressive again keeping the ball on the FAU side of the field. The Owls struggled to get the ball on the other side of the field until the 62nd minute. During that time Michelle Horan (10) would add another shot to the stats sheet, but would miss just left of the goal.
The Owls had a two on one situation during the 73rd minute to tie up the match, but Senior Jodi Smith (17) would strike the crossbar. The Panthers would send the ball out of bounds. A failed corner kick would then take place for the Owls.
The Owls last gleamers of hope for a draw was a free kick taken by Olivia Bori (6). The Owls still would not be able to convert after a few touches by the Owls offense.
Secondly, during the 87th minute FAU tired a cross that would be saved by Valery Restrepo. During the same minute Montelene Dymond of FIU would score their second goal of the game to take a 2-0 lead.
In the 88th minute Michelle Horan (10) was booked with a yellow card after Deborah Bien-Aime of FIU received one minutes earlier.
The Owls dropped their first match to FIU since 2013. The Owls led in shots (9) but the Panthers led in Shots on Goal (3). The Owls had 7 fouls while the Panthers had 8. Both teams had two corners, but neither team was able to convert these attempts. Lastly both teams were offside twice.
Florida Atlantic(0-1-2) will travel to Lafayette, Louisiana to take on a former Sun Belt conference rival in the Lafayette Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns(1-0-1) *Leading MTSU 4-1*. This will be Florida Atlantic’s first road match of the season.
The Ragin’ Cajuns finished the 2023 campaign ranked 134th in the NCAA Women’s Soccer RPI, while the Owls finished the 2023 season ranked 128th.
The all-time series between the two schools stands at 4-4, with the Owls winning last year’s match 2-1 in Boca Raton. On the road in Louisiana the Owls have a 1-2 record against the Ragin’ Cajuns. The Owls will look to even up the away record against the Cajuns on Sunday, August 25th at 1:00 PM.