Women’s Soccer Announces 2009 Schedule

Team Will Host 12 Home Matches This Fall The Florida Atlantic University women’s soccer program recently announced its 2009 schedule. This fall, the team will host 12 matches at the FAU Soccer Complex, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus, and serve as the host institution for the 2009 Sun Belt Conference (SBC) Women’s Soccer Championships scheduled to take place November 4 -7. The Owls kickoff its 2009 season at home against Stetson University on Sunday, August 23, followed by a road engagement at the University of South Florida on Friday, August 28. FAU’s tentative 20-match schedule is highlighted by home dates with the University of Arkansas on Friday, September 18; the University of Mississippi on Sunday, September 20; and a meeting with the University of Denver – the reigning SBC champions – on Sunday, October 4. “Our goal is to build a top 25 team and our schedule is an important part of reaching it,” said Brian Dooley, FAU women’s soccer head coach. “Our non-conference schedule is not only going to prepare us for Sun Belt play, but it will put us in contention for a postseason bid if we get the results.” A challenging early-season road trip to Athens , Georgia will pit the Owls against the University of Georgia , the NCAA College Cup qualifiers from 2008, on Friday, September 4. FAU also will take on Atlantic Coast Conference member Clemson University on Saturday, September 6. “We have a difficult road schedule,” said Dooley. “ South Florida is a difficult place to get a result. They are a much-improved BIG EAST team and tough in-state rival. The Georgia and Clemson trip will give us an early season challenge and after a trip to Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee State , we will be road tested. I imagine its going to be nice to get home for the SBC Tournament.” For the first time since joining the SBC in 2006, FAU was chosen as the host site for the league championships. The top eight of the Sun Belt’s 12 teams receive an invitation to play in the postseason tournament and compete for an automatic bid into the NCAA College Cup Tournament. “Boca Raton is an ideal setting for the league tournament,” says Craig Angelos, FAU’s director of athletics. “The area continues to be a hotbed of soccer. The talent-level amassed on the teams within the Sun Belt is exceptional. You combine those factors and set the stage for championship play and you have the makings of what promises to be a special event here at FAU.” Source: Fau Media Relations