Owls Record First Conference Win of Season The Florida Atlantic University mens soccer team jumped ahead early and held on late for a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Northern Illinois on Saturday night at the FAU Soccer Stadium. I was proud of our boys, said head coach Kos Donev. It was not a clean game but we were able to hang on and earn a much needed victory. The Owls (3-6-2, 1-2-0) got on the board in the first half on a beautifully struck shot from Martin Nesic. The freshman received a pass from teammate Darnell King and snuck one past a pair of defenders and NIU goalkeeper Jordan Godsey to put FAU on top 1-0. The goal was the first of Nesics collegiate career and the first for FAU since the Sept. 22 victory over North Florida. In the second half, the Huskies (6-5-2, 0-3-0) began to turn up the pressure offensively and forced FAU defender Jayson Lopaciuk to pick up a red card, putting the Owls a man down for the final 30 minutes of the match. It was evident after we went a man down that we really picked up the intensity on defense, Donev said. FAU goalkeeper James McCormick was also tested throughout the second half but was up to the task. The redshirt sophomore tallied six saves and earned his second shutout of the season. The victory also marks the first conference victory of the season. The Owls will return to action on Tuesday when they travel west to take on in-state rival FGCU. The next home match will be next Sun., Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. against Hartwick.
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