Sept. 21, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL - Three-consecutive shutouts have spurred the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team to a three-game-winning streak. The Owls (5-3-0) will hope to build upon the streak this weekend when they face Atlantic Sun Conference opponents Lipscomb and Belmont Universities.

All five of the Owls' victories this season have come via the shutout. They are 5-0-0 when they don't allow a goal and 0-3-0 when they do.

"It seems to be a bit of an anomaly right now. Two of those games (VCU and Miami) we actually came back to tie, but couldn't pick up the win. The only sure thing is that you can't lose if you don't give up a goal," head coach Brian Dooley said.

Both Belmont and Lipscomb are located in Nashville, TN. FAU will first play Lipscomb at 8 p.m. on Friday and will face Belmont on Sunday at 2 p.m.

The Owls are 1-0-0 in conference play after picking up a 4-0 victory against North Florida in their first conference match Sept. 16.

Coach Dooley knows that despite the fact that both Belmont and Lipscomb have struggled early on, the games could go either way when you are starting a conference stretch.

"It's kind of like the playoffs. Everyone starts fresh, because everyone is fighting to get into the conference tournament," Dooley said." We're going after it with the thought of improving every game."

Of their ten remaining games, nine are within the A-Sun. With that fact in mind, the Owls know they have to continue their strong play on defense, as well as pick up their game offensively.

"We need to get more consistent on finishing plays," Dooley said. "That's the major area we need to improve on."

NOTES:

* Janeke Simpkins was named A-Sun Defensive Player of the Week last week for her efforts in the two shutout victories. She also scored a goal against UNF.

* Megan Coyne and Jessica Badders have shared each of the last three shutouts.

* Coyne leads the A-Sun with a 0.24 goals-against average.

* Susanna Lehtinen scored her sixth goal of the season last week. She leads both her team and the A-Sun in goals, points (13) and is tied for the lead in game-winning goals (three).