Women's Soccer: Season Begins With No. 11 PSU
August 19, 2010 09:42 AM | General
August 19, 2010
 |
||
| Bri Rodriguez |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The 24th-ranked West Virginia women’s soccer team opens its 2010 season against 11th-ranked Penn State on Friday, Aug. 20, at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. with the contest also being “Poster Night” as fans can pick up a free 2010 WVU women’s soccer schedule poster. The home opener has also been designated a “Dollar Day” with all tickets, hot dogs, popcorn and Coca-Colas available for purchase for just one dollar.
The Mountaineers return eight starters and 13 letterwinners from last season’s squad that advanced to the NCAA second round. Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown begins her 15th season in charge of the Mountaineers and has led her teams to 10 straight NCAA tournament appearances.
“The team is excited to kick off the season after a good two weeks of preseason camp,” said Izzo-Brown. “They have done a really good job of staying focused at training and in meetings. The team is excited to get this match underway.”
Penn State returns six starters and 17 letterwinners from last season's 13-6-2 team that also advanced to the NCAA second round. The Nittany Lions have won 12 straight Big Ten titles and were picked as preseason favorites to win 2010 league crown. PSU is led by fourth-year coach Erica Walsh.
The teams are meeting for the seventh time with WVU holding a 4-2 series edge. The Mountaineers have won four straight over the Nittany Lions, including a 2-1 victory on the road last season. The last four meetings have all been decided by one goal.
“It’s definitely going to be a battle, and always is when we play Penn State,” said Izzo-Brown of the matchup. “We know each other so well and have great respect for their program.”
West Virginia is 8-5-1 all-time in season openers, including an unbeaten 4-0-1 mark when opening the season at home (2000, 2005, 2007-09). WVU had won five straight season openers, prior to its 0-0 draw with Ohio State to open the 2009 campaign.
Forward Megan Mischler is one of four returning all-BIG EAST honorees on the 2010 Mountaineer roster. A third team all-league selection the last two seasons, Mischler is joined by forward Blake Miller and midfielders Bri Rodriguez and Caroline Szwed.
The West Virginia defense is led by defenders Erica Henderson and Meghan Lewis, along with transfer Drea Barklage. In goal, senior goalkeeper Kerri Butler needs seven clean sheets to become WVU’s career shutouts leader, surpassing Lana Bannerman’s 36 total set from 2003-06.
The Nittany Lions are led by all-Big Ten forward Danielle Toney and reigning Big Ten Freshman of the Year midfielder Christine Nairn. In net, PSU looks to replace All-American Alyssa Naeher with redshirt sophomores Krissy Tribbett or Kristin Hartmann.
“We are hoping we can get anybody and everybody out tomorrow night to be the twelfth man,” said Izzo-Brown. “Our fans have been tremendous in the past and they really do make a difference in creating a difficult atmosphere for our opponent. I expect to see a great crowd tomorrow night.”
Fans unable to attend the season opener can follow the Mountaineers at home all season long via Live Stats and a free WebStream at MSNsportsNET.com.
