Florida Atlantic Completes Unbeaten A-Sun Season with Tourney Title
Date Posted: 11/5/2005
Boiling Springs, N.C. – Florida Atlantic completed their undefeated run through Atlantic Sun play with a 2-0 victory over Campbell in the tournament finals.
The Owls capture their first tournament title and berth in the NCAA College Cup with the win.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Alicia Tirelli helped FAU get on the board in the 17th minute after drawing a foul in the box from Campbell’s Mary Nitz. Denise Brolley coolly converted the penalty kick to push the Owls into the lead. Eleven minutes later, Tirelli tallied her second goal of the championship after redirecting a shot from Brolly past CU goalkeeper Samar Azem.
After grabbing the two-goal advantage, Florida Atlantic turned it over to their vaunted defense. The Owls extended their NCAA-leading shutout total to 16 in impressive fashion, surrendering only five shots during the entire championship. Goalkeepers Megan Coyne and Jessica Badders combined for the clean sheet.
Campbell was attempting to defend their 2004 conference tournament title and senior Susan Persson set a new school record for matches played in the loss. The Owls become the third different tournament champion in the last three seasons.
Florida Atlantic will find out their opponent in the NCAA College Cup on Monday evening when the tournament field is announced on ESPNNews between 5:00 and 5:30 pm.
2005 Tournament Most Valuable Player
Alicia Tirelli, Florida Atlantic