One of the best seasons in Owl history ends with a win and promise for the future.
For the first time since joining Conference USA in 2013, and 2007 in all, the Florida Atlantic mens soccer team finished the season with a winning record 6–4–2 (6 wins, 4 loses, 2 ties).
The Owls have improved gradually under head coach Joey Worthen since his hiring in 2017. This season, ending in a 2–1 over UAB capped off what was without doubt the best under his tenure.
This year the owls outscored their opponents 14 to 11, which is the best defensive record in school history. Limiting their opponents to less than one shot a game, and never losing a game by more then two goals.
Offensively a lot of the pressure fell on senior Ivan Mykhailenko, who performed up to expectations. Mykhailenko led the team with 6 goals, which was co-lead for the whole conference.
In the midfield, junior Alonso Coello Camero dictated play from back to front and was a reliable force for the owls this season, never missing a game. He contributed going forward as well with 2 goals and 1 assist.
In defence two sophomores lead the way for the owls, Daniel Skistad and Graeme Pratt. Pratt, a captain on the team was a center peice all season long, and played all but 9 minutes for the Owls. Skistad tallied an assist in one of the games against Jacksonville University early in the year. Together, and with the rest of the backline, the owls gathered 4 clean sheets, which was tied second most in C-USA.
While the owls finished 3–4 in conference play, there can be plenty to build up in the coming years. Five FAU Owls were named to the all conference teams for their outstanding play.
Mykhailenko was named to the All-Conference first team, and was named co-golden boot winning for most goals in the conference. This a exciting ending for one of FAU’s most prolific strikers to program history.
Alonso Camero and Graeme Pratt were named the All-conference second team. That is two years in a row for Camero on one of the all conferene teams. Last year the midfielder was the first Owl in history to be named to the C-USA first team, where he will be aiming to get back to next year.
Daniel Skistad picked up a third team All-Conference nod, and young Vasilis Spinos was rewarded for his hard work and quick adjustment to college soccer by being named to the All-Freshman team.
All in all, it was a exciting and productive season for the Owls. With Mykailenko being the only senior on the team, Worthen has a team for the future and could build a powerhouse in C-USA. Something which FAU has yet to be since joining the conference.
