Tough year continues for women's soccer:

The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team (2-6-1) dropped its final non-conference game of the season on Sunday, falling to the University of Memphis 4-0 at home.

The Tigers picked up their fourth shutout of the season as the Owls were unable to find the back of the net for the fifth time this year.

Memphis posted a barrage of shots in the first half, one of which was deflected by an Owl defender into the net for an own goal in the 13th minute. The Tigers' Christabel Oduro scored her sixth goal of the year in the 18th minute, off of an assist by Valerie Sanderson, to put Memphis on top 2-0.

In the second half, Sanderson netted a pair of goals, just more than two minutes apart to end the scoring at 4-0. Her second goal came as FAU goalkeeper Courtney Zwetsch made a diving stop, but couldn't hold on to it, allowing Sanderson to score on the rebound.

Zwetsch made four saves and allowed four goals. The Memphis defense held the Owls to just one shot on goal, off the foot of Danelle Nguyen.

FAU opens conference play on Sept. 27 at UTSA and visits Tulsa on Sept. 29.

The women's soccer team drew for the second time in 2013 on Friday night in a double overtime match against USTA.

The Roadrunners (1-8-1) enjoyed a 10-9 advantage in shots overall in the defensive affair, but the teams were even at four each on target.

FAU midfielder Claire Emslie had three total chances (1 SOG), with six other Owls registering attempts.

Goalie Courtney Zwetsch tallied four saves for the match.

Florida Atlantic (2-6-2) will next face Tulsa at 2:00 PM on Sunday.

Tulsa battled Florida Atlantic (2-6-3) to a 0-0 double-overtime tie on Sunday afternoon. TU had a 21-4 lead in shots, including a 5-3 advantage in shots on goal, and a 6-1 lead in corner kicks.

Middle Tennessee came out on the better end of a defensive battle on Friday night with a 1-0 win over Florida Atlantic. The Owls (2-7-3, 0-1-2) posted a 4-1 advantage in corner kicks but were bested 6-9 in total shots.

The teams combined for just two shots on goal for the contest; with each earning one. Claire Emslie was responsible for FAU's attempt.

After a scoreless first period, the Blue Raiders (5-4-0, 2-1-0) saw Grace Summers place the lone score in the net during the 54th minute.

FAU will return to the pitch on Sunday when they play host to UTEP at 1:00 PM.

Women's soccer lost their first overtime battle on the season Sunday, falling to UTEP 2-1.

The Miners outshot the Owls, 19-6, including 8-4 in shots on goal and took 10 corner kicks while allowing just one. Claire Emslie had two shots on goal for FAU.

The Miners (9-3-2, 2-1-1) struck first, scoring off of an FAU foul in the 30th minute. Aleah Davis scored her third goal of the season, assisted by Lauren Katada.

Brittney Nash later answered with a Florida Atlantic score in the 46th minute of play to notch the score 1-1.

The first shot in overtime was the game-winner as UTEP's leading scorer Azia Nicholson scored on an assist from Jade Babcock.

FAU (2-8-3, 0-2-2) returns to action on Sunday, Oct. 13 at 2:00 PM when they host Old Dominion.

FAU women's soccer drew against Old Dominion on Sunday afternoon.

The Owls (2-8-4) have now played four overtime matches on the season, with three of those going into double overtime.

The Monarchs (1-9-1) were doubled up in shots with FAU posting a 14-7 showing.

Kayla Faulkner paced FAU's attack with four total shots, and two on goal.

The team will have some time off before hitting the road to face Marshall on Friday night at 7:00 PM.

The football team may have had difficulty against Marshall, but the women's soccer team did not, as they knocked of the Herd (7-5-2, 2-3-1) for a 2-1 win on Friday night.

Most importantly, the victory snapped a rough rash of seven matches highlighted by four losses and three ties. It was also the first in C-USA play for the team.

The Owls' last previous win occurred over a month ago against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, in which they won 10-0 in a lopsided affair.

Florida Atlantic led 1-0 in the first half after Claire Emslie graced the net in the 34th minute. However, Marshall would answer late in the second period courtesy of a score by Myka Demarco in the 70th minute.

Despite being outshot 21-9 overall, FAU (3-8-4, 1-2-3) found the route to victory courtesy of a goal by Kayla Faulkner just prior to the last minute of regulation play. Fittingly, it would be her first on the season.

FAU continues road play against East Carolina on Sunday at 1:00 PM.

East Carolina (6-8-2, 3-4-0) shut out Florida Atlantic 1-0 on Sunday afternoon at the ECU Soccer Stadium.

Skylar Poole took advantage of an early cross just five minutes into the contest, sending the shot into the back of the net to give ECU a 1-0 lead. That would be all they would need.

FAU generated only only one shot in the first half, but tallied two shots on goal in the second period. The Pirates' defense remained steady however, denying both scoring opportunities.

With just three matches remaining, the Owls (3-9-4, 1-3-3) are four points out of a tie for fifth place - the qualifying standing for the Conference USA tournament.

Women's soccer dropped a tough match to FIU tonight…game release via SID Brandon Goodwin:

The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team fell 1-0 to rival FIU in Conference USA action on Friday night.

FIU (7-9-0, 5-3-0 C-USA) scored in the 17th minute as Sara Stewart relayed an Ashleigh Shim cross to Crystal McNamara, who was able to beat Courtney Zwetsch high for the only goal of the game.

"I thought we put a good game plan together tonight and unfortunately the lone goal came at an unfortunate time,” said FAU head women’s soccer coach Patrick Baker. “Our center back had just come off injured, we kicked the ball to FIU and within 12 seconds the ball is in the back of our net. We lost our way for a few seconds and good teams will make you pay for that loss in focus."

The Owls (3-10-4, 1-4-3 C-USA) managed 13 shots on the night, three of which were on goal by Claire Emslie. Zwetsch allowed a goal, but also made five saves to keep FAU in the contest. The Owls had several good scoring opportunities in the second half, including a shot off of the crossbar, but couldn’t find the back of the net.
 
"We were pretty good in the second half, controlled tempo and created a number of good chances. We showed a great commitment to get forward,” said Baker. “Our players have been so close in conference play and to not get something out of tonight’s match is frustrating. The team is committed to turning things around and we will give another good account of ourselves on Sunday versus a very talented Charlotte team."

The Owls play the 49ers in Charlotte at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

The FAU women's soccer team picked up a much needed victory against Charlotte on Sunday to stay alive in the hunt for a post season appearance in the C-USA Tournament…game release via SID Brandon Goodwin:

The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team topped Charlotte 3-1 in a must-win road match on Sunday thanks to goals by Claire Emslie and Amanda Odato. FAU remains alive in the chase for a spot in the 2013 Conference USA Championship Tournament next week.

The Owls (4-10-4, 2-4-3 C-USA) sit just two points back of Marshall and Middle Tennessee who are tied for fifth place. FAU holds the tiebreaker over Marshall after the Owls topped the Herd on Oct. 18.

FAU's offense was extremely efficient to open Sunday's match as the Owls scored three goals on their first three shots of the contest. Emslie notched the first one just inside the left post in the 13th minute off of an assist by Danelle Nguyen.

Just more than ten minutes later, Odato headed in a pass from Taylor Sorrels to score her second goal of the season to give the Owls a 2-0 advantage.

Less than two minutes after Odato's goal, Emslie struck again with a chip-shot goal off of another assist by Sorrels. The sophomore from Scotland now has a team-high six goals on the season.

FAU goalkeeper Courtney Zwetsch made four saves as she withstood a barrage of 14 shots in the contest. The lone Charlotte goal came in the early minutes of the second half when Amanda Jones scored her seventh goal of the year.

FAU hosts UAB on Oct. 31 in the final regular-season match of the year. The Owls must win and receive help from other teams in order to make the tournament. Thursday's match will also mark Senior Day as five Owls suit up for the final time at the FAU Soccer Stadium. Kickoff against the Blazers is scheduled for 7 p.m.