BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer team will kick off its 2022 campaign this Thursday, August 18. The Owls are slated to welcome Alabama to the FAU Football Stadium for a 7 p.m. start time. Not only will the match kick off the FAU women’s soccer season, it also marks the beginning of official competition for all of FAU athletics’ teams in the 2022-23 academic year.
Tickets for the Alabama game can be purchased HERE.
NEW YEAR, NEW BEGINNING
FAU is looking to continue a streak of seven consecutive postseason appearances in the Conference USA Championship Tournament. Head coach Patrick Baker enters his 10th season at the helm of the program. Baker has tallied a record of 85-66-23 during his tenure at FAU.
This year, the Owls return seven starters from the 2021 lineup. Senior midfielder Gi Krstec and senior defender Amanda Martin each earned United Soccer Coaches All-Region honors in 2021. The duo was also recently named to the United Soccer Coaches Players to Watch List, becoming the first two Owls in program history to do so.
QUOTABLE
“We are amped and ready to go this season,” Krstec said. “We have a strong and sizable senior class that is eager to embed their mark on the program. Along with the seniors, we have a vibrant group of underclassmen and a talented group of new recruits. The team is healthy, strong and working great together. We are looking forward to a fantastic season.”
THE OUTLOOK
Krstec, Hailey Landrus and Luisa Daikeler will lead the squad as FAU’s captains this season.
FAU’s defensive unit was a strong point last season, as the Owls allowed only 19 goals in 18 games. Martin, along with Jodi Smith, spearheaded the back line last season, and both were honored for their efforts. Martin was named First Team All-Conference USA as well as Second Team United Soccer Coaches All-South Region. Smith made an immediate impact, en route to earning Conference USA All-Freshman Team recognition.
The Owls’ defense is expected to gain a boost from the return of Daikeler. Daikeler last played in the spring 2021 season, when she received C-USA Preseason Player of the Year recognition. Daikeler earned Conference USA Co-Freshman of the Year honors in 2019 as well as Second Team All-Region honors.
Up top, FAU’s offense will look to forwards Bri Austin and Mia Sennes to pace the attack. In 2021, Austin tallied four goals and three assists for 11 points last year after transferring to FAU from Villanova. Her four scores ranked second on the team behind Miracle Porter’s seven. For her career, Austin has scored 12 goals and recorded four assists for 28 points.
Sennes ranked third on the team in goals with three last season right behind Austin. She also added two assists for eight points, and tallied the golden goal in double overtime against Marshall.
After the Alabama match, FAU has another home contest against Detroit Mercy on August 21 at noon, then the Owls will then play host to Miami on August 25. The Conference USA portion of the season opens at North Texas on Sept. 18.
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