Women’s Soccer: WVU Welcomes Providence, UConn
October 09, 2008 02:02 PM | General
By Tim Goodenow for MSNsportsNET.com
October 9, 2008
GAME NOTES
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| Nikki Izzo-Brown |
MORGANTOWN, W.VA. – The 15th-ranked West Virginia University women’s soccer team begins a four-match homestand against Providence at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 10. On Sunday, Oct. 12, the Mountaineers battle Connecticut in a 2 p.m. match that will be nationally televised by ESPNU.
“It is nice to return home for a few games at Dick Dlesk,” says Head Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown. “Providence is an improved team from a year ago and Connecticut is young but dangerous. This weekend is the start of an important stretch for our team.”
The Mountaineers carry 7-2-4 record into weekend play after a two-game road trip to New Jersey. WVU is led offensively by forwards Deana Everrett (4G/4A) and Megan Mischler (6G) with 12 points each on the season.
Providence, led by fourth-year Head Coach Jim McGirr, brings a 5-3-3 record into Friday’s contest. The Friars, 1-1-3 in their last five matches, are coming off two draws in conference play last week.
Junior forward Jill Camburn, who leads the team in points with nine, was named to the BIG EAST Weekly Honor Roll this week. Camburn scored the game-tying goal in Providence’s 1-1 tie at Cincinnati on Friday, Oct. 3, and tallied an assist in her squad’s 1-1 tie at Louisville on Sunday, Oct. 5.
Providence’s strong defensive front is led by senior defenders Christie Gent and Megan Mancarella. Sophomore Jill Schott has started 10 of 11 games this season in goal for the Friars, working 954 minutes between the posts. The first-year starter has allowed eight goals (0.75 GAA) and made 51 saves on the year.
West Virginia and Providence meet for the 10th time with WVU holding an 8-1-0 lead in the all-time series. The Mountaineers have won the last six meetings, including three straight shutouts.
Len Tsantiris, in his 28th season as head coach at Connecticut, has guided the Huskies to 26 consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, including four visits to the national title game in 1984, 1990, 1997 and 2003. The Huskies sport an unusual 3-7-3 record through 13 games this season. UConn travels to Pitt on Oct. 10, prior to its meeting with WVU.
The Connecticut offense is led by junior midfielder Anni Yi with her team-best four goals and eight points on the season. The Huskies have posted double-digit shot attempts in all but one game this season.
Starting 12 of the 13 games in goal for the Huskies is Stephanie Labbe. The senior goalkeeper has allowed 16 goals in 1,157 minutes of action to go with 60 saves. A Hermann Trophy Watch List selection, Labbe is also working with the Canadian National Team while training with Connecticut.
West Virginia and Connecticut meet for the 14th time with UConn holding an 11-2-0 lead in the all-time series. The Huskies have won five of the last seven meetings.
The Mountaineers will also have a Chick-fil-A Coloring Sheet Night on Friday, Oct. 10. All children ages 13 and under will gain free admission with a completed coloring sheet courtesy of Chick-fil-A at Morgantown Mall as WVU battles Providence at 7 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 12, is Breast Cancer Awareness Day when the Mountaineers take on BIG EAST foe Connecticut. Fans are encouraged to wear pink as the WVU coaching staff makes a check presentation during halftime to the Betty Puskar Breast Care Center. The first 50 WVU students in attendance will receive a free oneWVU t-shirt.
