FAU Women's Soccer Team begins the 2023 season with a draw against Little Rock
Simonardottir scores twice for the Owls at their inaugural American Athletic Conference.
August 18, 2023
Gasner Delvarin Jr, Writer
Boca Raton - Fl. The FAU Women's Soccer opened their inaugural season as part of the American Athletic Conference (AAC) with a 2-2 deadlock against the University of Arkansas in their 2023 campaign at Little Rock Trojans at the FAU Football Stadium.
The Owls came out of the tunnel and quickly got on the board in the 7-minute with the sophomore midfielder Elin Simonardottir, who redirected the ball from the forward Sloane Young of a cross from the midfielder Molly Setsma to the net for the first goal of the season from a cross of the midfielder Molly Setsma.
FAU continued to mount the pressure on the Little Rock on the attack until the 24-minute when the Trojans subbed in their freshman Candice Kilderry for Bronte Peel, who scored within a minute of entering the game in the 25-minute to tie at 1-1.
Photo & Graphic | Gasner Delvarin Jr
In response, the Owls rapidly regained the lead at 2-1 with a superb right-footed semi-acrobatic finish from Simonardottir again, assisted by sophomore Michelle Horan leading to halftime.
FAU remained aggressive in the second half but could not find the back of the net. The Trojans exhibited a better defense, which limited the Owls' opportunities to breach their lines and score.
9-minute remaining in the game, Little Rock led an attack on the left wing with Abbie Smith, who subbed in the 80-minute, provoking the FAU defender Heather Squitieri to commit a foul for a penalty.
The Trojans' sophomore captain, Colleen Gilliland, stepped up to the penalty spot and converted it to equalize at 2-2.
The Owls immediately made several substitutions in the 82-minute, including an experience fresh leg from the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the midfielder Noa Ganthier for Sloane Young, who accumulated a yellow card in the 52-minute.
In an attempt to reclaim the advantage, the Owls pressed forward and unleashed a shot in the 87-minute only to see it thwarted by the goalie. Nonetheless, time ran out as the two teams split at 2-2.
Coach Baker reflected on the match dynamics, highlighting the importance of maintaining discipline in the flow of a match.
“We’ve got to learn from it. There’s a lot of new faces playing,” said head coach Patrick Baker. “At times, we looked like we were capable enough, but at other times we looked like, we were incapable."
The Owls will matchup in their next challenge against the University of Miami on Sunday, Aug. 20, at 6 p.m.
Sports Action Rundown, FAU Women’s Soccer, Elin Simonardottir, Sloane Young, Noa Ganthier, Patrick Baker, Gasner Delvarin Jr.