Oct. 14, 2009

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic men’s soccer team will get back to work tonight when they travel across the Sunshine State to take on in-state rival South Florida in Tampa. The Owls (4-4-2, 0-2) are coming off their second straight conference loss, a 1-0 defeat to Hartwick on Saturday in upstate New York. FAU will look to avenge last season’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of the Bulls and also improve upon a 2-8 all-time record at USF Soccer Stadium. The Bulls lead the all-time series against FAU 10-3-1 dating back to 1983.

Scouting the Bulls: USF (7-2-2) is coming off a 1-1 tie against Big East opponent St. John’s on Saturday and is ranked 12th in the NSCAA/adidas poll. The Owls will also look to snap USF’s 24 game unbeaten streak at home. The Bulls are 20-0-4 at USF Soccer Stadium dating back to September 20, 2007 when they dropped a 2-1 decision to Connecticut.

On the Horizon:  After the mid-week tune-up against the Bulls, FAU will return to Boca Raton for a matchup against Western Michigan on Saturday night. The Owls will look for their first MAC victory after two losses to Akron and Hartwick to open the conference season. The Zips and the Hawks are currently ranked 1st and 2nd respectively in the MAC as they each share 3-0 conference records.

Scouting the Broncos: Western Michigan will enter Saturday’s match with a 4-8 overall record, 1-1 in the MAC. The Broncos are coming off a 5-2 victory at home against non-conference foe Wright State on Monday. Saeed Sulamana Baba leads Western Michigan offensively with eight goals scored in only eight games played this season. Baba is ranked 2nd in the MAC in scoring behind Akron’s Teal Bunberry who has tallied nine markers this season.

Statistically Speaking: Sophomore forward Darnell King leads the Owls with six points (two goals, two assists). Freshman goalkeeper Jeremy Crumpton leads the team and is ranked 3rd in the MAC in saves per game with 28 saves in seven games (4.00/game).