The Game
Aiming to snap a three-game skid, the Delaware State women's soccer team (2-7-1) will concluded a brief two-game road swing Thursday afternoon (3 p.m.) against the Saint Peter's Peacocks (1-6, 0-1 MAAC).
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The Opponent
» Saint Peter's Peacocks (1-6, 0-1 MAAC)
Despite its lone victory of 2015 – an 11-2 home victory over first-year program Hampton on Sept. 7 – the Peacocks have lost each contest by at least two goals. In its previous match, Saint Peter's were shutout at Siena, allowing a season-high seven goals. Offensively, the Peacocks have totaled 16 goals in 2015, led by forward Barbara Paiva (4). Behind Paiva, forward Michelle Laz and midfielder Jasmine Tartis both have three goals on the season, whereas Tartis leads Saint Peter's in shots on-goal (11). In the net, sophomore Taylor McLean secured the Peacocks' lone victory, as she's allowed 23 goals and totaled 31 saves.
» The Series: The Hornets are 2-8-1 all-time against Saint Peter's. Last season, DSU secured a convincing 3-0 home victory over the Peacocks.
A Win Would Mean…
» DSU's first win since 2-1 home victory over Manhattan on Sept. 13.
» The Hornets' second road victory of 2015.
» Delaware State's third overall victory against Saint Peter's.
Last Time Out…
The Hornets were shutout for the third consecutive contest – this time resulting in a 2-0 loss on the road to the George Washington Colonials Sunday afternoon. For GW, leading point-getter Mackenzie Cowley connected for both of Sunday's goals. The first occurred early in the first half during the 12th minute with put it past DSU's Michele Lammers from about 22 yards out, after receiving a pass from defender Mia Barreda. The second strike, meanwhile, took place during 69th minute with midfielder Ingrid DiClemente finding Cowley at close range.
Scroope Approaching Milestone
With nine career wins as DSU's head coach, Kerri Scroope needs two victories to pass Matt Okoh (2005-07) to become the program's all-time leader. 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.
At This Point Last Season…
The Hornets were 2-8, coming off a 2-0 loss at home to George Washington.
Coming Up Next…
The Columbia Blue & Red will return home this Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.) to face Mount St. Mary's.
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.
