Nov. 11, 2005

Box Score

GAINESVILLE, FL -- 3-0 was the final score, but it wasn't a proper measure of the contest when Florida Atlantic fell to #5 Florida State in the NCAA Women's College Cup in Gainesville, FL on Friday.

The Seminoles were able to knock home a goal just before half-time, and added two late tallies when the Owls had moved into a more offensive formation in an attempt to even the score.

"I thought for our first time here we represented ourselves very well," said FAU Head Coach Brian Dooley. "I really don't think the 3-0 final was very indicative of the game. We were pushing up trying to get the tying goal and that exposed us in the back a little bit. A 1-0 loss doesn't help you. I was very proud of my team and they certainly belonged here. This is just the start of something big for us."

The Owls had chances early, including a 2-0 edge in shots, but were unable to capitalize. They carried most of the play during the first-half, but it was FSU who got on the board in the 43rd minute when Indy Trotter converted on the Seminoles' first shot, following a touch-pass out in front from Katrin Schmidt, after a Colette Swensen shot had rang off the nearby post.

The Owls were out-shot 8-4 in the second-half, but a majority of those shots came after the 70th minute, when FAU was forced into an offensive formation. The score remained 1-0 until the 85th minute when Holly Peltzer gave FSU the insurance they needed on a scramble in front of the net. Trotter would add her second goal with just 29 seconds left in the match for the final margin.

The goal in the 43rd minute was the first FAU allowed since the first-half against Jacksonville on Sept. 30, a span of 948:24.

Jessica Badders got the start in goal and Megan Coyne played the second half. The goal in the 85th minute snapped her 745 minute shutout streak, the 13th longest in NCAA history.

While FAU has earned its way on the strength of great defense, FSU also possessed a great defense, and held FAU without a shot on goal for the first time all season. The six shots were the second fewest on the year. Susanna Lehtinen led the Owls with three shots, while Denise Brolly, Katri Nokso-Koivisto, and Alicia Tirelli each had one.

The Owls were shutout for just the second time all season, the first coming against #4 UCLA. The loss snapped a program best 15-game undefeated streak.