The Owls took the short ride to Coral Gables to face the Miami Hurricanes (4-5-3) for the second time this season. The teams did not plan on facing each other again this season, but both needed an extra opponent due to each having canceled matches, so came this match. The Hurricanes dominant performance led to a 1-0 victory over FAU. Miami controlled the match to start. Within 15 minutes the Hurricanes had four shots on goal making Florida Atlantic’s Lexi Gonzalez work hard for her four saves. In the match earlier this season between the Owls and the Hurricanes, Miami had six shots on goal total. The U was on the prowl to start. The first half started to even out defensively for FAU as the Owls slowed down the Miami attack. Offensively though, Florida Atlantic struggled to find possession of the ball. The Owls held on to the tie, as it was 0-0 going into the half. The Hurricanes had many opportunities in the first half. Compared to the first match between the two this season, Miami turned their offense up a notch as they had eight shots in the first half compared to the nine shots total in the last match between the two. FAU’s Lexi Gonzalez (pictured above, Angelina LaBelle) put on a show, as she had five saves in the first half. Tying her match total from the first face-off against Miami. Coming out of the half, Gonzalez took a rest as FAU’s Head Coach, Patrick Baker, sent the freshman, Ashely Small, into goal. In the 55th minute Miami’s Giovana Canali found the top of the goal placing the ball over the outstretched hands of Small as the Hurricanes led 1-0. Miami’s defense anchored down as Florida Atlantic was not able to get a shot off during the second half. The match ended 1-0, but not without drama as FAU’s offense was called offside on a would-be-goal in the 85th minute. The Keepers had themselves a day considering how many shots they faced. Gonzalez’s five saves ties her season high, while Small’s two saves while facing 10 shots gave FAU a chance to draw. The top shot take for FAU was Olivia Bori with two, and three Owls had shots on goal. Compared to this season’s previous matchup Miami shut down FAU. The Owls (2-7-3) (1-2-1) look for a bounce back as they host Rice (10-2-1) (4-1). Rice’s one conference loss came against South Florida, a team FAU was able to draw with earlier this season. For the Owls in the AAC standings, points are needed as FAU is currently seventh with six matches to go. Rice is currently first in the conference. The match starts on Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:00 P.M.
