Hockey: FAU beats UT in the second game of the season
The Florida Atlantic Owls Hockey Club started the season strong, winning both games against the University of South Florida Bulls. On Friday, FAU continued their winning streak against the University of Tampa (UT) Spartans Division 2 team. The Owls continue to go undefeated.
Game 1- vs. University of Tampa (8:30 PM)
The Owls hustled throughout the first period, keeping the pressure on the Spartans. Unfortunately, UT caught goalie Gunnar Stevens off guard and scored. Seven minutes into the game, freshman forward Leon Biller shot from deep right, scoring FAU’s first goal of the night. Not even a full minute later, forward Doug “DJ” Randle scored despite pressure from the Spartans. Forward Matias Weir scored with an advantage on the Owls’ first power play. Stevens made up for his missed save early on in the game by blocking two shots made by the Spartans, keeping FAU up 3-1.
Tension ran high as the Owls led 3-1 in the second period. The Spartans took advantage of their double power play, scoring five minutes in. The Owls heavily forced their offense on the Spartans, giving them limited opportunities for the puck. Despite the Spartans having a power play, they could not score against the Owls’ defense. The Owls kept the puck deep and continued to play smart.
The Spartans tied the score three minutes into the third period, making it 3-3. FAU and UT went back and forth, trading possession of the puck. With just over nine minutes left in the last period of the game, forward Emilio Stabile scored, putting the Owls up by one. FAU continued to scrabble and strive for another goal.
“We didn’t score in the second, but we picked it up near the middle of the third, played hard and came together as a team. We really connected after I scored; it brought the boys together and we got the win at the end,” said Stabile.
With another power play in favor of the Spartans, they could still not score on the Owls’ defense.
With 40 seconds left in the period, forward Myles Davidson scored the night’s final goal, with FAU winning 5-3.
Game 2- vs. University of Tampa (5 PM)
Six minutes into the first period, the Spartans had their first power play but could not score against the Owls’ defense. FAU’s offense worked hard, keeping the pressure on UT and giving forward Caleb Owens the opportunity to score. During the Owls’ power play, Owens scored an insurance goal from deep center, with an assist from freshman forward Leon Biller. The FAU Owls ended the first period 2-0.
Goalie Rocco Bruno made a save halfway through the second period, keeping the Owls up by two. During FAU’s power play, forward Matias Weir found the goal and scored, with an assist from both defender David Israel and Owens. The Owls kept fighting hard throughout the second period despite being up three points. UT had another power play but couldn’t find their way around the Owls’ defense. The saying “don’t kick a horse while it’s down” would be an understatement for this game as Israel found the back of the net and scored, with an assist from Weir. Not even a minute later, Biller scored again, making the score 5-0.
“We came out prepared today… I came wanting to score tonight, when I have the puck on my stick and I want to score and it’s self-motivation and a lot of mental game,” said Owens.
The Spartans took advantage of their power play two minutes into the third period and scored. Minutes later, UT had a hard drive center and scored again. Bruno made another great save, the puck bouncing off his shins, keeping the score 5-2. FAU’s offense kept pushing, not giving it to UT easily. The Owls’ defense stepped up for the game, keeping the Spartans on their feet. With just five minutes left in the last period, Owens saw an opening and did not hesitate to take his shot and score his third goal of the night. With under two minutes left in the period, Stabile scored and ended the game 7-2.
Christiana Eckard is a contributing writer for the University Press. For more information regarding this or other stories, email her at ceckard2023@fau.edu or message her on Instagram @christianaeck_ on.
Latest University Press
- FAU Football: Larry McCammon III, Jarron Morris declare for 2024 NFL DraftOn Sunday, senior running back Larry McCammon III and graduate defensive back Jarron Morris both declared for the 2024 NFL Draft. “Owl Nation, I cherish the memorable moments we’ve shared, and I extend my appreciation to the dedicated coaches, teammates, and especially the fans who’ve supported me along the way,” said McCammon on his Instagram...
- Men’s Basketball: Owls comeback to beat Charleston 90-74On Saturday, the Florida Atlantic Owls (7-1) men’s basketball team followed from their Thursday night 83-58 victory over Liberty University to defeat the College of Charleston (4-4) Cougars 90-74 in Eleanor R. Baldwin Arena during the final day of the Field of 68 Classic. “Shout out to the fans, the energy, the juice,” praised head...
- ‘Life safety concerns’: FAU to quietly open Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute after 4-month closureAfter a four-month closure caused by a building malfunction, the $35 million FAU Stiles-Nicholson Brain Institute on FAU’s Jupiter campus will reopen Monday for classes. “While work will be ongoing on various aspects of building operations, I am pleased to report that the life safety concerns within the building have been permanently resolved,” an FAU...
- Women’s Volleyball: UT Arlington sweeps FAU in first round of NIVC TournamentThe Florida Atlantic Owls (20-13, 12-7 AAC) made their first-ever appearance in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) Tournament on Friday and were swept by the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) (21-10, 9-7 WAC) Mavericks at Memorial Gym in El Paso, Texas. The Owls were swept by the Mavericks and were eliminated. The first...
- FAU Football: Romain “Smoke” Mungin declares for 2024 NFL DraftOn Friday afternoon, senior cornerback Romain “Smoke” Mungin declared for the 2024 NFL Draft via his Instagram. In Mungin’s post, he thanked his friends, family, the university and coaches for supporting him through his five-year journey at FAU. “Y’all made this whole journey so much better with all the memories I have created, and I...
- Women’s Volleyball: Owls prepare for first NIVC appearance in program historyThe Florida Atlantic Owls women’s volleyball team (20-12, 12-7 AAC) will play in the National Invitational Volleyball Championship (NIVC) for the first time in program history on Friday at 7 p.m., after a historic season. The Owls’ 20 regular season wins are the most they’ve tallied since their 21 in 2018. The NIVC is one...