Good Morning, FAU Fam. The wait ends today! Florida Atlantic women's soccer opens the 2026 season this evening. This year's 27-player roster features 17 newcomers, including 12 freshmen, blended with a core of returners led by forward Hailey Santiago, a 2025 American Third Team All-Conference pick with six goals, plus American All-Freshman honoree Isabel Bostic and goalkeeper Ashley Small.

Tonight’s game against FIU gets underway at 7 p.m. See you there!

What else do we have mixed into today’s Brew? Check it out below!

🏀 Big Stage
🏈 Certified Freak
🦉 And much, much more

🔼 Owls On Screen. FAU fans, your fall viewing guide is set! Florida Atlantic women's soccer, men's soccer, and volleyball will be featured more than 20 times on ESPN+ this fall, with all other home contests streaming free on FAUSports.com. Women's soccer kicks off the broadcast slate with its season opener against FIU tonight, followed by men's soccer's home opener against UCF on Aug. 23. Volleyball debuts with a Sept. 18 doubleheader against Alabama State and Stetson in the Owls Paradise Classic!

🔼 Big Stage. Florida Atlantic men's basketball is headed to an NBA arena! The Owls will face VCU in the Hall of Fame Series Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 12 at the Kia Center, home of the Orlando Magic, as part of a featured doubleheader that also includes Florida vs. Georgia Tech.

It's a matchup of two programs with historic Final Four runs (FAU in 2023 and VCU in 2011) and the first meeting between the two since 2021. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 19 at 9 a.m.!

🔼 Versatility Personified. Easton Messer is on the Paul Hornung Award watch list for the third consecutive season! The award, presented to college football's most versatile player, fits the Florida Atlantic wide receiver perfectly. In 2025, Messer led all FBS players with 104 receptions, averaged a program-best 20.8 yards per punt return, and became the first Owl ever to catch, run, and throw for a touchdown in the same season.

Owl fans, mark your calendars! The second annual Duffy's Sports Grill Fan Fest takes over Flagler Credit Union Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 22, and the free event has something for everyone. The Publix Paradise Plaza opens at 5 p.m. with a concert from the Mixtape Kids, a 90s tribute band, plus games, inflatables, giveaways, and student-athlete autograph sessions. Inside, catch performances from the FAU Marching Band, autographs with the football team on the Hyundai Deck, and a spectacular lighted drone show just after sunset to cap the night!

🔼 Certified Freak. CJ Doggette Jr. is officially one of college football's biggest physical marvels! The Florida Atlantic defensive tackle was ranked No. 42 on the 2026 College Football Freaks List, published annually by Bruce Feldman and The Athletic to honor players with extraordinary physical traits. Doggette Jr.'s numbers are eye-popping: a 500-pound max bench press, 38 reps of 225 pounds, and a 4.75 40-yard dash. The recognition caps a big week that also included Bronko Nagurski and Outland Trophy watch list nods, and marks the sixth consecutive season an Owl has made the Freaks List!

🔼 Serving in Paradise. Reed Chandley is making his mark on and off the field! The junior punter is Florida Atlantic's representative on the Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List, which honors the college football player who most exemplifies community leadership alongside success on the field and in the classroom. Since arriving in January, Chandley has volunteered at J.C. Mitchell Elementary and with FAU's Fellowship of Christian Athletes and A18 Club.

🔼 Scholar Owls. Florida Atlantic student-athletes are shining in the classroom! A total of 258 Owls earned 2025-26 American Conference All-Academic Honors, recognizing student-athletes who attained a minimum 3.00 GPA for the preceding academic year. Every corner of FAU Athletics was represented, from 39 football players to 26 swimmers and divers to 25 softball standouts. It's a testament to the commitment to excellence both on and off the field in Paradise!

The Boca Regional Chamber is proud to announce the return of Boca Chamber Festival Days (BCFD) this August! Throughout the month, local nonprofits will host a variety of events across our community, bringing people together while raising awareness and funds to support their important work.

From happy hours and trivia nights to game nights, challenges and more, there are plenty of ways to get involved and have some fun for a great cause. Explore the BCFD calendar, find an event that interests you, and join the Boca Regional Chamber in supporting the local organizations making an impact throughout our region. Scan the QR code or visit our full BCFD calendar of events to find an event and get involved!

How many seasons has Patrick Baker been at the helm of FAU women's soccer, entering 2026?

Have a guess?

Scroll to the bottom to find out!

Season tickets for the upcoming 2026 Florida Atlantic Football season are now on sale through the Owls Ticket Office. Season tickets to support your Hometown Team start at just $75. Purchase 2026 season tickets and renew your season tickets now!

*All Times Are in ET

Wednesday, Aug. 12
⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. FIU @ 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 13
🏐 Volleyball Red vs. Blue (Exhibition) @ 6 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 16
🏐 Volleyball vs. Miami Dade (Exhibition) @ 1 p.m.
⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. Miami @ 7 p.m.

Thursday, Aug. 20
⚽ Women’s Soccer @ Florida State @ 7 p.m.
⚽ Men’s Soccer @ Mercer @ 7 p.m. (Macon, Ga.)

Saturday, Aug. 22
🏐 Volleyball @ Miami (Exhibition) @ 1 p.m. (Coral Gables, Fla.)

Sunday, Aug. 23
⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. UCF @ 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 27
⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. Howard @ 5 p.m.
⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. North Florida @ 7:30 p.m.

Friday, Aug. 28
🏐 Volleyball vs. Merrimack @ 10 a.m.
🏐 Volleyball vs. Stetson @ 7 p.m.

Saturday, Aug. 29
🏐 Volleyball vs. FIU @ 2 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 30
⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. Florida @ 1 p.m.
⚽ Men’s Soccer vs. NC State @ 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 3
🏐 Volleyball @ FGCU @ 6 p.m. (Fort Myers, Fla.)
⚽ Women’s Soccer vs. Jacksonville @ 7 p.m.

Friday, Sept. 4
🏐 Volleyball vs. WVU @ 1 p.m. (Fort Myers, Fla.)
👟 Cross Country @ Florida Intercollegiate XC Invitational (Jacksonville, Fla.)

Saturday, Sept. 5
⚽ Men’s Soccer @ Cleveland State @ 7 p.m. (Cleveland, Ohio)
🏈 Football vs. Florida @ 7:45 p.m. (Gainesville, Fla.) | Watch: SEC Network


🦉 Go here for the complete Florida Atlantic University Athletics Calendar

Answer: 14.

🦉 Have a great Wednesday, Owl Fam!