UC Irvine
Florida Atlantic
Palacios Punctuates 1-0 Win Over Florida Atlantic
September 20, 2015 | Women's Soccer
BOCA RATON, Fla. --- Sophomore Kiana Palacios buried a penalty kick in the 81st minute to break away from a tight affair with the Florida Atlantic Owls Sunday afternoon and boost women's soccer to a 1-0 victory.
An evenly-matched contest through 80 minutes turned with a foul in the box by the Owls putting Palacios on the penalty spot. She converted for the match's lone tally and helped UC Irvine (4-5-1) come away with a win to end its eight-match road stretch.
Florida Atlantic (6-4-0) and the 'Eaters traded blows throughout the match with the Owls coming away with a slight advantage in shots, 13-12. Both sides put four shots on frame. Senior keeper Corey Tobin was keen to it saving all four attempts.
"The team has stayed committed to their teammates and trusted the game plan," cited a relieved Head Coach Scott Juniper, "and got a well-deserved victory against a well-organized FAU team who were on a roll. Every field player in our squad stepped on the field and made important impactful contributions."
UCI had the match's best chance in the first half in the 18th minute. Sophomore Alex Karlowitsch lifted an attempt that clanged the crossbar. The rebound fell to Shelby Lee whose response was blocked to keep the match scoreless.
The Owls' Claire Emslie peppered the Anteater goal firing a match-high five shots with one falling on target. Owl keeper Sydney Drinkwater made three saves for her side.
UC Irvine ends its marathon eight-match road trip on a high note to improve to 4-5-1 with one non-conference match remaining. The 'Eaters welcome in Santa Clara on Friday, September 25 at 7:00 p.m. to Anteater Stadium.
"We have had four tough away weekends in a row, and things haven't all gone the way we would have wanted. They celebrated with a swim in the Atlantic Ocean, and we are now headed home. Next up, Santa Clara on Friday."
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