The Tournament
The Delaware State women's soccer team (6-9-3) will head to Florence, S.C. this weekend in hopes of its second consecutive Independent Conference Tournament crown. Heading in as the top seed, the Hornets will face first-year program Hampton (0-8) in the opening round on Friday at 4 p.m., while host No. 2 Francis Marion (3-14) will square off against No. 3 South Carolina State (1-10-1) later that evening (7 p.m.).
Tournament Format
» Game 1: Friday (4 p.m.) – DSU vs. Hampton
» Game 2: Friday (7 p.m.) – Francis Marion vs. South Carolina State
» Game 3 (Consolation): Sunday (11:30 a.m.) – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
» Game 4 (Championship): Sunday (2 p.m.) – Winner of Game 1 vs. Francis Marion
Media Coverage
» Live Broadcast: None
» Live Stats (Free – All Games): Click Here
» Twitter: @DSUWsoc | @DSUHornets | #GBGBGH | #DSUWsoc
The Opponents
» Francis Marion Patriots (3-14)
The Pats head into the weekend dropping six out of its seven games. FMU's last win, meanwhile, came at South Carolina State by way of a 1-0 victory on Oct. 16. Offensively, forward/midfielder Kelly Anthony leads the team in goals (5), assists (4) and points (14), whereas forward Helena Moore and forward/midfielder Tori Whigham have four goals. Goalkeeper Taylor O'Berry (3-14), on the other hand, has totaled 115 saves, one shutout and allowed 41 goals.
» The Series: The Hornets are 0-2 all-time against the Patriots. Last season, DSU fell at FMU, 2-0.
» South Carolina State Bulldogs (1-10-1)
SCSU's lone win of 2015 occurred in its season opener with a 5-1 victory over Southern. Leading the offensive charge for the Bulldogs is midfielder Tierra Pullard, totaling a team-high four goals and nine points. In the net, Austin Haley (1-10-1) has collected 93 saves, while allowing 33 goals.
» The Series: DSU is 5-12-1 all-time against the Bulldogs. Last season, SCSU picked up a 2-1 home victory over the Hornets during the regular season, but Delaware State rebounded in the opening round of the Independent Conference Tournament with a 1-0 win.
» Hampton Pirates (0-8)
The first-year program Hampton Pirates have been outscored 100-4 through eight games, in addition to allowing at least double digit goals in all but one match. Leading the Pirates in scoring, meanwhile, is midfielder Sydney Jackson tallying two goals. In the net, Kara Pitts leads HU in saves (50), as Maya Bouyer leads the Pirates in games played (5) and starts (5).
» The Series: The Hornets are 1-0 all-time against HU. Earlier this season, DSU cruised to an 11-0 victory over the Pirates in what was its final home game of 2015.
Two Wins Would Mean…
» DSU would set single-season record for most wins (8).
» The Hornets' second consecutive Independent Conference Tournament Championship.
A Look Back
In the first ever Independent Conference Tournament, which took place at Alumni Stadium last season, DSU secured victories over South Carolina State and NJIT to take home the crown. For the Hornets, Chelsea Boursiquot, Tere' Crawford, Katelyn Koslosky and McKenzie Miller earned All-Tournament Team honors.
Last Time Out…
DSU wrapped up the 2015 regular season Wednesday night settling for its second consecutive scoreless tie, this time on the road with the Howard Bison. Throughout the evening, Howard lived up to its calling card on the offensive end, totaling 22 shots, including 11 in the second period. Coming in, the Bison had 62 goals under their belts, compared to 24 for the Hornets. Nevertheless, DSU was able to keep the Bison scoreless for the fourth time this season, led by goalkeeper Michele Lammers (6-9-3) collecting eight saves. With this effort, Lammers pushed her yearly shutout total to 4.3 to become DSU's single-season record holder. Offensively for the Hornets featured forward Bri Musco registering three out of her squad's seven shots, including two placed on-goal. Delaware State was also held scoreless for the ninth time this season.
Moving Up the Career List
Goalkeeper Michele Lammers is now DSU's single-season record holder for most shutouts (4.3)… Forward is Taylor Addison is now the program's all-time leader for most games played (69)… Forward Julia Bossert and defender Morgan Durham are now in three-way tie for the seventh most games played in school history (66)… Midfielder Danielle Valente is now ninth all-time in DSU history for most shots (49).
Scroope Eclipses Milestone
With DSU defeating NJIT on Oct. 6, 2-0, Kerri Scroope became the program's all-time winningest head coach with 11 career victories. Her current career total stands at 13. In 2014 - Scroope's second season at the helm - she led the Hornets to their second best finish in team history (6-12-1), in addition to being named Independent Conference Coach of the Year by College Sports Madness.
Balanced Attack
Tallying 24 goals this season, which is the most in DSU single-season history, 15 players have scored for the Hornets in 2015, led by newcomers Elise Pratt (3) and Taylor Love (3).
At This Point Last Season…
The Hornets were 5-12-1, coming off a 1-0 win over South Carolina State during the Independent Conference Tournament.
2014 in Review
Coming off its second best finish in team history, in addition to winning the first-ever Independent Conference Tournament Championship, the Delaware State women's soccer will aim for repeat success under third-year head coach Kerri Scroope. In 2014, Scroope not only received Independent Conference Coach of the Year honors, but nine Hornets earned All-Conference selections. The Hornets also closed the year on a program-best three-game winning streak.
The Forwards
Topping the list of returnees are senior veterans Taylor Addison and Julia Bossert. Addison returns as DSU's top scorer, tallying two goals and one assist for five points on her way to receiving Second Team All-Independent Conference honors. Bossert – a Second Team All-Independent Conference selection also – led the Hornets in assists (3) last season, which tied a team single-season mark. Providing depth behind the senior duo will be sophomore McKenzie Miller, who will look to build on a All-Independent Conference Tournament Team selection. Newcomers in freshmen Taylor Love, Bri Musco and junior transfer Ayanna Smith, meanwhile, will also battle for playing time. Spending her freshman season at Southern Connecticut State, followed by sitting out her sophomore campaign, Smith took four shots and scored once.
The Midfielders
With nine players designated as midfielders, this position group is the deepest for the Hornets this season, led by senior Danielle Valente. In 2014, Valente was a First Team All-Independent Conference selection, appearing in 16 games while making 15 starts. Behind Valente are letterwinners from a season ago in juniors Dina Isham and Morgan Pottinger, whereas returners Kym Brewton and Tori Hamilton will battle for significant playing time. The newcomers, on the other hand, feature freshmen Dasia Busch, Logan Taylor, Kayleigh Leschinski and junior transfer from Stony Brook in Elise Pratt. Appearing in a combined 24 matches in two seasons, Pratt's lone goal occurred as a freshman in Stony Brook's double-overtime victory against Maine to complete the regular season.
The Defenders
The veteran trio of seniors Morgan Durham, Tere' Crawford and junior Taylor Pratcher headlines the backline for DSU in 2015. Durham, who started all 19 games last season on her way to earning First Team All-Independent Conference honors, likes the feel of the team with the regular season set to begin this Friday evening (7 p.m.) at home against Lafayette.
Goalkeepers
Aiming to fill void the left by Katelyn Koslosky (graduated), DSU's all-time leader in saves (387) and shutouts (9), will be sophomore Michele Lammers and freshman Leslie Fazio. Lammers appeared in three games for a little over a combined 16 minutes as a freshman. Fazio – a product of nearby Sussex Technical High School located in Lewes, Del. - started all four years on the varsity level, garnering First Team All-Henlopen North Conference honors, along with First and Second All-State recognition during her final two seasons.
