Sept. 25, 2007

BOCA RATON, FL (September 25, 2007) - After earning a tie with no. 9 University of Florida to close out its non-conference schedule, the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team will turn its focus to a Sun Belt Championship as conference play begins this week.

FAU begins its title chase with road tilts against Middle Tennessee State (September 28) and Western Kentucky (September 30).

The Owls (3-3-1) are 2-0-1 in their last three matches, and all three of their losses this season have come by a single goal.

Goalkeeper Jessica Badders has not allowed a goal in 330:13, posting three-straight shutouts. The junior netminder turned aside seven shots in FAU's tie with UF.

Susanna Lehtinen leads the team with eight points (2g, 4a) and has taken a team-high 19 shots, 14 on goal. Alicia Tirelli is second on the team in goals with two.

MTSU split two games in the Sooner Invitational, falling 5-1 to Long Beach State before battling Oklahoma to a scoreless tie.

Jen Threlkeld leads the Blue Raiders with five goals on the season. Kala Morgan (3g, 3a) and Holly Grogan (3g, 3a) are second on the team with nine points each. Erynn Murray has seen the bulk of time between the pipes, starting seven of the eight games this season. Murray has a 1.84 goals-against average and has knocked away 41 shots in 635 minutes.

The Owls are 1-1-0 all-time against the Blue Raiders. They lost last season's meeting 2-1 at FAU Field.

Florida Atlantic will then travel to Bowling Green, KY to face Western Kentucky. The Owls edged the Hilltoppers on a pair of occasions last season, including the opening round of the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. Tirelli scored the game-winning goal late in the 89th minute against WKU to lift the Owls into the semifinals of the SBC Tournament.

WKU has won three in a row and is unbeaten in its last four matches. The Hilltoppers have outscored their opponents 12-4 in that stretch.

Alicia Dalby leads the squad with 12 points (4g, 4a), while Mallory Outerbridge has provided some scoring off the bench and is second on the team with three goals and seven points. Three others have two goals apiece.

Meredith Goodson is the team's top goalkeeper, posting a 0.83 goals-against average in 545:27 of play. She's allowed five goals while making 26 saves and has earned one shutout.

Friday's game at Blue Raider Field is set for 8 p.m. Sunday's game at the WKU Soccer Complex is set to begin at 2 p.m.