Oct. 16, 2012

Boca Raton, FL - Florida Atlantic University's women's soccer team looks to solidify its postseason chances in a pair of road Sun Belt Conference (SBC) matches this weekend. The Owls, 5-9 overall and 3-4 in league play, will battle the University of Arkansas-Little Rock (UALR) on Thursday, October 18, at 8 p.m. before facing Arkansas State University on Saturday, October 20 at 2 p.m.

Two one-goal victories last weekend have moved FAU into sixth place in the SBC standings with nine points. Another league match victory would give the Owls enough points to become one of the eight teams to qualify for the conference's championship tournament.

The Last Meeting Florida Atlantic 1 Arkansas-Little Rock 4 September 25, 2011 Little Rock, AR Women's Soccer Falls at UALR The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team suffered a 4-1 loss at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock on Sunday afternoon in Sun Belt Conference action. Recap | Box Score

The Last Meeting Florida Atlantic 0 Arkansas State 3 September 23, 2011 Jonesboro, AR Women's Soccer Drops Sun Belt Conference Opener The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team dropped its Sun Belt Conference opener 3-0 to Arkansas State University on Friday in Jonesboro, Ark. Recap | Box Score

On Sunday, October 14, senior goalkeeper Ashley Lantes became the program's all-time leader for career saves, passing Molly Keating's mark of 321 saves from 2000-03. Lantes had six stops in the 2-1 overtime victory over the University of Louisiana and had a shutout, 1-0, over University of Louisiana-Monroe last Friday, October 12. She earned Sun Belt Conference Defensive Player of the Week honors for her performance last weekend. Lantes has made 80 saves this fall and posted two shutouts - both coming in SBC action.

Freshman midfielder Claire Emslie paces the Owls' offensive attack with nine goals. The nine goals rank second in the conference, and the Scotland native also ranks among the best in shots (54), shots per match (3.86) and points per match (1.43).

Junior midfielder Ellie Smith scored the game-winning goal in the 98th minute against Louisiana. She joined freshman forwards Taylor Sorrels and Natalia Hernandez in scoring two goals this season.

UALR, 1-14 this season and 0-7 in league matches, is coming off an 8-2 home loss to the University of North Texas. Three players have scored two goals each, and Ariel Galletti leads the Trojans with three assists.

Arkansas State stands 9-6-1 overall and is in fifth place (10 points) with a 3-3-1 conference record. The Red Wolves are led by Christina Fink's seven goals and six assists, while Loren Mitchell has added six goals.

Scene Setters

Who: Florida Atlantic (5-9, 3-4 Sun Belt) at UALR (1-14, 0-7 Sun Belt)

at Arkansas State (9-6-1, 3-3-1 Sun Belt)

When: at UALR on Thursday, October 18, at 8 p.m.

at Arkansas State on Saturday, October 20, at 2 p.m.

Series History: Series tied at three vs. UALR; FAU leads Arkansas State 4-1-1

Last Time Out: Junior midfielder Ellie Smith scored her second goal of the season in the 98th minute as Florida Atlantic defeated Louisiana 2-1 in overtime on Sunday, October 14. Freshman forward Natalia Hernandez scored a second-half goal in the victory. Senior goalkeeper Ashley Lantes broke the program's all-time record for career saves.

Statistical Leaders

Goals - Emslie (9)

Assists - Nash (5)

Points - Emslie (20)

Saves - Lantes (80)