Sept. 24, 2008

Coach Dooley Interview: Weekly Preview
Sun Belt Conference Weekly Release

BOCA RATON, FL - The Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team begins Sun Belt Conference play this weekend at FAU Field on the Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. The Owls will face Western Kentucky University Friday, September 26 at 7 p.m. and Middle Tennessee State University on Sunday, September 28 at 12 noon.

Florida Atlantic (1-5-0) is now in its third season playing in the Sun Belt Conference. The Owls finished its Sun Belt schedule 7-4 in 2006 and 6-4-1 in 2007.

The Owls, who have enjoyed a track record of success under ninth-year head coach Brian Dooley - including eight-straight winning seasons - is off to a slow start to its 2008 campaign. One win in six matches thus far in 2008 is the worst start to an FAU season since Dooley's inaugural Owls team in 1999 began the year 1-3-1.

"We are disappointed in where we are right now," says Dooley. "We feel we are better than our record shows and now starting conference play we have a chance to prove that."

Western Kentucky (6-0-1) finished its non-conference schedule unbeaten. The Hilltoppers have shutout four-straight opponents, beating Butler University, Belmont University, Murray State University and Eastern Illinois University. WKU edged FAU 2-1 last year on its home field en route to finishing 14-3-3 overall and 9-2-2 in SBC play.

Middle Tennessee State (2-4-2) will play Florida International University in Miami prior to its Sunday afternoon date with the Owls. MTSU has not scored more than one goal in any match this season. However, the Blue Raiders have won two-of-three including 1-0 victories over the University of Mississippi and the University of Tulsa.

"If you look at last year, both Western (Kentucky) and Middle (Tennessee State) were one and two in the final regular season conference standings," said Dooley. "I think we are going to have a good idea of where this team is at based on the results of this weekend."

The FAU Ticket Office is located at FAU's Tom Oxley Center, 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton campus, and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information, contact 1-866-FAU-OWLS or visit www.FAUSPORTS.com.