HOUSTON – The Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer team was edged by Rice in a hard-fought 1-0 match on Thursday night. Rice remains undefeated in Conference USA play, now standing at 4-0-0 and 6-6-0 overall, while FAU dips to 1-2-1 in C-USA action and 5-5-3 overall.
The FAU Owls found themselves in a familiar situation. Like many of FAU’s games so far this year, this one was a low-scoring affair. Seven out of FAU’s 13 games this season have finished with one combined goal or less.
Rice scored the deciding goal in the 65th minute off the foot of Grace Collins. FAU kept swinging, and only a two minutes later Daniella Diaz had an excellent shot but hit the post. The FAU Owls were unable to find the equalizer down the home stretch, as the Rice Owls hung onto the victory.
QUOTES FROM THE OWLS“Rice is a very good team, Brian (Lee) and his staff do a tremendous job,” FAU head coach Patrick Baker said. “They came in undefeated in Conference USA play, so we knew it was a huge task. Three of our first four conference games have been at North Texas, at UAB and at Rice, who are all really good teams. I thought we played some of our best soccer to be fair tonight. We had an edge in corner kicks and an edge in shots. We missed some good opportunities and unfortunately made a mistake in the back, and good teams make you pay, and that’s exactly what Rice did. I thought we game planned well and competed hard, I thought we looked good. It’s a tough pill to swallow.”
NOTABLE
- FAU had a big edge in shots by a 15-4 margin
- Shots on goal were 6-2 in favor of FAU
- FAU doubled up Rice in corner kicks, 12-6
- Hailey Landrus, Bri Austin, and Diaz all registered three shots on the evening
- Landrus had a pair of good looks early in the second half. Her shots in the 48th and 49th minute were denied by Rice keeper Bella Killgore
- Molly Setsma had an opportunity in the 85th minute, but it was saved by Killgore
- FAU’s defense continued its stout play, as the Owls have allowed one or fewer goals in nine games this year, including the last five games
UP NEXTFAU will return home to battle Charlotte this Sunday, Oct. 2, for a 1 p.m. start time.
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