Women's Soccer: Final Home Weekend
October 16, 2008 05:13 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
October 16, 2008
GAME NOTES
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| Everrett |
MORGANTOWN, W.VA. – The 17th-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team closes out the home portion of the regular season this weekend with a pair of BIG EAST Conference matches. WVU battles 16th-ranked Georgetown at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17. On Sunday, Oct. 19, the Mountaineers face Villanova in a 1 p.m. match that will be televised by WVPBS.
The Mountaineers carry an 8-2-5 (3-1-3 BIG EAST) record into weekend play following a 3-0 win over Providence and a scoreless tie with Connecticut. WVU is led offensively by forwards Deana Everrett (4G/5A) and Megan Mischler (6G/1A) with 13 points each on the season. Defensively, a strong back line and goalkeeper Kerri Butler sport a goals-against average of 0.37, good for seventh in the nation.
“Georgetown is a dangerous team that has been scoring a lot off throw-ins and off set pieces,” says Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “And Villanova is peaking at the right time of year as well. To beat a nationally ranked team and get two conference wins this weekend would be huge.”
Georgetown, led by fifth-year Head Coach Dave Nolan, brings a 10-1-2 (5-1-0 BIG EAST) record into Friday’s contest. The Hoyas, who have yet to play a road game this month, are coming off a 3-1 win over Syracuse on Oct. 14.
Tiffany Marie Hudson, a junior forward, leads the team in goals (10) and points (24). Hudson’s goals and points rank second individually among all BIG EAST players. Freshman midfielder Samantha Baker is second on the team with six goals and seven assists for 19 points.
The Hoyas are led defensively by defender Michaela Buonomo and goalkeeper Jackie DesJardin. The sophomores guide a Georgetown defense that has posted eight shutouts on the year.
West Virginia and Georgetown meet for the 13th time with WVU holding a 10-2-0 lead in the all-time series. The Mountaineers have won the last three meetings, including a wild, come-from-behind 5-3 win at Georgetown in 2007.
Villanova features first-year Head Coach John Byford, in his second stint at the University, having also served as an assistant coach from 1995-97. The Wildcats, who have guaranteed themselves a winning record and at least 10 victories for the 10th-straight season, enter the weekend with an 11-4-0 (4-3-0 BIG EAST) mark.
The Wildcats, 4-1 in their last five outings, are led offensively by senior midfielder Erin Hardiman with her team-best 13 assists and 21 points on the season. Forwards Grace Hawkins and Kaitlin Ryan tie for the team lead with eight goals apiece.
Villanova, known for stingy defenses in past years, is led by junior All-BIG EAST center back Kelly Egan and senior Laura Sylvester. Starting 14 of the 15 games in goal for the Wildcats is Molly Williams. The junior goalkeeper has allowed 20 goals in 1,277 minutes of action to go with 62 saves.
West Virginia and Villanova meet for the 16th time with WVU holding a 7-4-4 lead in the all-time series. The Mountaineers have won the last four meetings, including three shutouts.
Sunday marks the final regular season home contest for eight seniors: Everrett, Greer Barnes, Stephanie Burgess, Amanda Cicchini, Lisa DuCote, Kelsey Fowler, Michelle Molinari and Robin Rushton.
“I’m proud of the way this group of seniors has developed as players, and more importantly, as people throughout the last couple of years,” says Izzo-Brown. “Each person brings something different to the team, and their contributions will be missed.”
Both matches this weekend are part of the 2008 Fall Family Weekend. Members of the WVU Parents Club will receive a coupon for one dollar admission into the Georgetown and Villanova matches. Sunday's Villanova game will be a Dollar Day with all tickets and select concessions being $1 each.
Sunday's contest also marks the final “Dollar Day” at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. All tickets, hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Colas will be available for purchase for one dollar.
