Both teams dug deep Sunday as FAU women’s soccer opened its season against the University of Florida. Each team’s head coach used their bench extensively to sustain a high-energy game that went four minutes and 16 seconds into overtime before ending with a 2-1 Florida victory.

UF freshman Tahnai Annis won the game with a low corner cross net shot off an assist by senior Megan Kerns. The preceding UF passes that created Annis’ shot opportunity were very similar to the attack UF used consistently after going one player up fifteen minutes into the second half. FAU’s Ashley Mannarino was red-carded immediately after a UF penalty kick that tied the game at 1-1.

“Pre-season was awesome,” FAU coach Brian Dooley said after the game. “The kids worked hard – did everything we asked.”

UF head coach Becky Burleigh was very pleased about her team’s ability to keep pressure on FAU despite the Owls’ conservative defensive strategy – especially after losing one player.

“[They] put as many players behind the ball as possible,” Burleigh said. “We take pride in being one of the fittest teams out there.”

The Gator attack came from the corners throughout the first half. UF freshmen Jazmyne Avant and Danielle DeLuca put up solid left-footed crosses, but FAU’s defense stayed poised and made solid traps in traffic. The Owls’ clearing kicks, however, often went to UF feet. FAU’s senior goalkeeper Jessica Badders had six saves including a dynamic diving deflection of a 25-yard shot just minutes before the penalty kick that tied the game.

“We played well today,” Badders said. “We have some new players [on defense], but I feel very comfortable with them. I’ve had the chance to get to know my back four.”

FAU was not without a counter-attack. The Owls were out-shot only 16-9. Throughout the game, Owl freshman Danielle Stolt’s hustle created solid scoring opportunities before FAU was forced to go to a one-forward attack. But Stolt leaned back a bit too much on her strikes and the ball floated off frame unlike sophomore Anhnhi Tran’s lone FAU goal. With five minutes left in the first half, Tran controlled a deflected corner kick with a powerful head-over-ball strike to the opposite upper-corner of the UF net.

After the ejection, UF began to own the middle and more often than not abandoned the flanks for a more centralized attack. UF freshman Lindsay Thompson was potent at feeding runs with intricate give-and-go passing and making her own fearsome charges into the top of the keeper’s six-yard box.

“We tried to press as hard as we could – make the best runs,” Thompson said. “I was just trying to prove that I can make a difference on this team.”

“When we were a [player] down they were comfortable attacking us,” FAU goalkeeper Badders said. “They had an extra forward and had more people to give it to.”

FAU’s home opener was also their season opener as their first game against Florida Gulf Coast University was cancelled due heavy rain in relation to Tropical Storm Fay. Though now 0-1, the Owls are very confident that they will perform well this season.

“We started the season with one of the top 20 teams in the country,” Dooley said. “And to be there for the whole game – this is the level of play we aspire to.”

FAU stays home and plays Indiana State on Aug 29.