FAU’s women’s soccer had three members of its 2006 team given post season awards on Tuesday. Alicia Tirelli earned 1st team All Sun Belt, for her stellar play this season, Alicia lead the Owls with 10 goals and 25 points. Also earning post season honors were Susanna Lehtinen, who was the A-Sun player of the year last year, and Janeke Simpkins. They both earned 2nd team All Sun Belt honors for their play.

Lehtinen was able to score 18 points despite facing constant double teams for the opposition and Janeke Simpkins was a dominate defender who helped goalies, Megan Coyne, and Jessica Badders this year.

Coach Dooley was pleased with his team’s recognition stating that this “shows that the dedication and leadership exhibited by these players is recognized by others.”

After a solid first season in the Sun Belt, the Lady Owls moved onto the Sun Belt Conference Tournament with a NCAA Tournament bid awarded to the winner. Monique Cabrera was confident about their chances in the tournament stating that “it doesn’t matter who we play, if we play our best no one can beat us.” Their first game against Western Kentucky was a hard fought defensive battle that tested the abilities of Simpkins and Coyne. In the 89th minute star forward Alicia Tirelli proved why she was a 1st team All Sun Belt player, scoring on a corner kick by Natalie D’ Oria.

Their next game was against Denver who they lost to earlier this year 5-0 in that thin mountain air. The Owls were excited about getting another crack at this team because according to D’ Oria “not to take anything away from Denver, they beat us, but that air had something to do with how bad we lost.”

Head Coach Brian Dooley knew the team was looking forward to the rematch stating that, “The kids are excited to prove we’re better than what we showed the first time.”

Unfortunately, the Owls lost this game 2-0, with their best opportunities coming on a Tirelli shot on goal in the first half, and a wide left SOG by Lehtinen. That wraps up the season for the Lady Owls.