Women's Soccer Begins Opening Weekend Friday At Hofstra
8/26/2015 10:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NEW YORK – The 2015 season will begin with tons of local action for the Columbia women's soccer team as they kick-off opening weekend on the road at Hofstra on Thursday, Aug. 28 at 5p.m. The Lions will also head over the Verrazano Narrows Bridge to take on Wagner in Staten Island on Sunday, Aug. 30 for a 1 p.m. match.
ABOUT THE LIONS: With head coach Tracey Bartholomew at the helm in just her second season, Columbia returns an experienced core that quickly became one of the top defensive teams in the country in 2014 en route to a 7-4-6 overall winning record and a 2-3-2 Ivy League record. The Lions will take the pitch without nine graduating letterwinners however, a large amount of Columbia's contributors remains intact combined with a talented group of newcomers.
The return of All-Ivy League sophomore defenders Kerry Manion and Natalie Ambrose highlights a Lions team defense that entered the NCAA top-10 in goals-against average with an season-best average of 0.519 in 2014. A strong back line, that will retain the leadership of senior co-captains Cadie Naquin and Elly McGuffog, climbed up to 20th overall in shutout percentage at 0.563 last season, including nine shutouts on the year.
In goal, the Lions return two of three goalkeepers who posted multiple shutouts last year, including junior Allison Spencer and senior Gabby Dubick. Spencer tallied three shutouts on the year, while Dubick garnered a pair of shutouts to start the season.
The Columbia offense spread the wealth with 16 different players tallying points last season. Although there will be big shoes to fill in losing an All-Ivy League forward and the 2014 team leading scorer in Coleen Rizzo to graduation, the Lions saw at least one player from each class post an assist and a goal last year and brings back plenty of capable players. Junior Madeline Linde dropped in a pair of goals last season and the return of Grace Taylor will be a welcomed spark for the Lions, as the sophomore before injury knocked in a two goals and an assist through 11 games.
Find out more about the Lions during soccer programs inaugural Media Day scheduled on Thursday, August 27 at 11:30 a.m. Broadcasted live on Periscope, Bartholomew will field questions about the 2015 team and the upcoming season, along with several interviews from current players.
Featured Article: Columbia Soccer Media Day Live On Thursday
|
Game 1: Columbia at Hofstra
Friday, Aug. 28, 5 p.m. Hofstra Soccer Stadium Hempstead, N.Y. @columbiawsoccer
|
||
| COLUMBIA (2014) | Team Matchup | HOFSTRA |
| 7-4-6 | Record | 0-2 |
| 2-3-2 Ivy League | Conference | CAA |
| 1.00 | Goals Per Game | 0.50 |
| .092 | Shot % | .083 |
| 13 | Assists | 1 |
| Grace Taylor (5 pts.) | Leading Scorer | Leah Galton (2 pts.) |
| Allison Spencer (6-5)(.842 save) Gabby Dubick (6-5)(.842 save) |
Goalkeeper | F. Mehring (0-2)(.750 save) |
| All-Time Series: Hofstra leads 5-4-1 | ||
SCOUTING THE PRIDE: Hofstra began the season with a competitive opening weekend on the road last week with a pair of top-25 ranked opponents. The Pride dropped its season opener to No. 6 Penn State (1-2) on Aug. 21, followed by a 1-0 defeat to No. 24 Rutgers on Aug. 23.
Returning 16 players overall from a squad that advanced to the CAA title game in 2014, the Pride is lead by two-time CAA Player of the Year Leah Galton. Galton sat atop the league in scoring with 38 points last season, including 17 goals and four assists, and scored Hofstra's lone goal this season against Penn State.
|
Game 2: Columbia at Wagner
Sunday, Aug. 30, 1 p.m. Hameline Field Staten Island, N.Y. *2014
|
||
| COLUMBIA | Team Matchup | WAGNER |
| 0-1 | Record | 1-3 |
| Ivy League | Conference | NEC |
| 1.00* | Goals Per Game | 1.25 |
| .092* | Shot % | .122 |
| 13* | Assists | 5 |
| Grace Taylor (5 pts.)* | Leading Scorer | Megan Fritz (4 pts.) |
| Allison Spencer (6-5)(.842 save )* Gabby Dubick (6-5)(.842 save )* |
Goalkeeper | Katelyn Murphy (0-1)(.769 save) |
| All-Time Series: Columbia leads 10-0 | ||
SCOUTING THE SEAHAWKS: Wagner will host the Lions in its home opener and for its third game this week on Sunday. With road losses to Fordham (0-2) and Fairfield (1-2) to open the season, the Seahawks will look to bounce back on Wednesday, Aug. 26 at Saint Peter's and at Iona on Friday, Aug. 30. Wagner is lead by reigning NEC Coach of The Year Mike Minielli who returns 22 letterwinners this year, including second team All-NEC selections defender Tori Rodriguez and midfielder Johanna Konrad, who led the 2014 Seahawks in scoring with 15 points.
