Oct. 10, 2006

BOCA RATON, FL -- With the conference tournament just around the corner, and only eight spots available, each remaining game for the Florida Atlantic University women's soccer team is critical.

After a 1-1-0 weekend trip to Louisiana, the Owls will return home following a four-game road swing to welcome the two Alabama schools in the Sun Belt Conference, South Alabama and Troy. Both teams are in direct competition with the Owls for a spot in the postseason tournament, giving each contest a lot of weight in determining the championship field.

"South Alabama is a good team. They lost in the conference championship last season," head coach Brian Dooley said. "Troy we know from previous years in the Atlantic Sun Conference, so it will be good to get that rivalry back."

The Owls (5-7-2, 2-4-0 SBC) snapped a three-game losing streak in the team's last game. Alicia Tirelli scored her team-leading sixth goal of the season, and Tessa McGarrity added her third-career goal in her freshman campaign as insurance in a 2-0 win over Louisiana-Monroe.

South Alabama (4-10-0, 2-4-0 SBC) has lost four contests in a row, but the Jaguars are currently tied with FAU in the conference standings. Both wins came against the Arkansas schools. Samantha Stocker leads the Jaguars on offense with six goals and two assists for 14 points and Jenn Edgar has chipped in three goals on the season as well. No other USA player has more than one goal.

In net, Kelsie Langford has seen the majority of time in net, playing 1,149:01. She's made 62 stops and posted two shutouts while allowing 26 goals.

The Jaguars have been outscored 31-15 on the year, including a 16-7 margin in the first half of play. They are 1-3-0 on the road.

Troy (2-10-1, 1-5-0 SBC) has lost five decisions in a row, but sit just one game back of the playoff picture.

The Trojans rely on Kasey Pruett (four goals, one assist) and Vanessa DaCosta (three goals) to provide a majority of the team's offense. No other player has more than one goal in 2006. The offense has also largely come on individual efforts for Troy, as the team has posted just four assists on its 15 goals this season.

Troy has been outscored 38-15 on the year, and opponents have nearly doubled the Trojan's shot total (196-109).

Jennifer Currie is the team's #1 goalkeeper, making six starts and appearing in 10 games, playing 687:00, making 32 saves and posting a 2.62 goals-against average. Katy Kolb has also made six starts in net, making 32 saves and allowing 4.35 goals per game in 393:00 played.

The Trojans have been outscored 39-15 overall, including a 21-8 margin in the second half.

FAU squares off with South Alabama Friday at 7 p.m., while the contest with Troy is scheduled for Sunday at noon.