Oct. 4, 2005

BOCA RATON, FL -- As they prepare for a flurry of Atlantic Sun conference opponents to finish the season, Florida Atlantic University's women's soccer team knows this weekend will be vital to their success.

This week, the Owls will battle Campbell and Gardner-Webb. Both matches will be played at FAU Field.

Campbell is 4-0 in A-Sun play, currently tied atop the standings with Kennesaw State. FAU is close behind at 3-0-1.

After starting the season 2-4, conference play has revitalized the Camels, reeling off four-consecutive A-Sun wins to improve their record to 6-4. They have now won 17-consecutive A-Sun matches.

The Owls have an unbeaten streak of their own, going 6-0-1 over their last seven contests, including six shutouts. The game is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m.

Gardner-Webb(5-5-0,3-1-0) has also used conference play to give them a spark, taking their last three contests after losing five-consecutive matches.

GW is led by Leeanna Woodworth, who has scored four goals in her last two games, and has six goals and three assists in her last four. She has had a part in nine of the Bulldogs' last 12 goals.

FAU's offense is currently led by Susanna Lehtinen, who is tied for the Atlantic Sun conference lead in goals with seven. She has factored in each of the Owls' last three goals, registering a goal and two assists. The Owls' defense is backstopped by a pair of solid goalkeepers in Megan Coyne and Jessica Badders. Badders, a freshman, has made some key stops for FAU this season, while Coyne leads the nation in goals against average at 0.159. The match is scheduled for Sunday in Boca Raton at noon.