Nov. 7, 2007

Box Score

MOBILE, AL - After a 1-0 FAU victory earlier this season over Denver, their rematch was even closer as the Pioneers won the penalty kick tiebreaker 4-1 after the two teams held each other scoreless through 110 minutes in the quarterfinals of the Sun Belt soccer tournament.

The first half was an up and down affair that saw both teams mount extended forays into the opposing team's zone. Denver spent much more time in the offensive zone than did FAU, however at halftime the Owls held a 6-2 shot advantage. FAU's best opportunity to score in the first half came on a Susanna Lehtinen shot from 20 yards out that sailed just over the crossbar midway through the period. The Pioneers' had their best chance minutes earlier when a Mariah Johnston shot was headed out by Janelle Blake.

FAU was the more aggressive team to start the second half, but once again the Owls came up empty offensively. An Allyssa Eramo yellow card gave the Pioneers a free kick that that nearly put them ahead but the ball rolled past the net and the score remained tied. In the 79th minute, Susanna Lehtinen made her way past two Pioneer defenders and fired a shot from 20 yards out that required Denver keeper Mackenzie Snyder to make a diving save to keep the score tied. Regulation ended with FAU fending off a Denver rally in a final attempt to score the gamewinner before heading to extra time. The Pioneers were unable to convert and regulation ended with the two teams locked in a scoreless tie.

FAU's best scoring chance of the first extra session came on a Susanna Lehtinen run toward the Denver goal. Lehtinen's shot, however, went just wide of the goal and the score remained 0-0. The only true scoring threat either team managed in the second overtime came with about a minute left on a rebound off of a Denver shot that settled in front of the FAU goal, but Janeke Simpkins cleared the ball before the Pioneers could take advantage. The period ended soon afterwards and the two squads prepared for the penalty kick tiebreaker.

Emily Hines opened the tiebreaker with a goal to the left corner. Lehtinen's shot to the corner was stopped by a diving Snyder. Jessi Keller beat Jessica Badders with a shot to the corner. Snyder made another diving save, this time of a Alicia Tirelli shot to give the Pioneers a 2-0 lead headed to the third set of penalty kicks. Katie Culp and Jannica Tjeder both scored in the third frame to make the score 3-1 in favor of Denver. Jenna Billinsgley beat Badders with a blast just inside the left post to clinch the win for Denver. FAU ends the season with a record of 9-8-2.