The Game
Looking to pick up its first win of the season, the Delaware State women's soccer (0-3) will kickoff a two-game road trip, beginning this Friday evening (7 p.m.) against the UMass Lowell River Hawks (0-2).
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The Opponent
» UMass Lowell River Hawks (0-2, 0-0 America East)
Similar to the Hornets, the River Hawks are in search of their first win of the young 2015 season. Playing both games at home, UMass Lowell suffered a tough 4-3 loss to Rhode Island, followed by a 6-1 defeat suffered at the hands of Northeastern. The River Hawks' top offensive threat is midfielder Rachel Morrier, who leads the squad in goals (2), points (4) and shots on-frame (6). In the net, Julie Schneider has collected seven saves, opposed to allowing 10 goals.
» The Series: The Hornets are 0-1 all-time against UMass Lowell. Last season, the River Hawks came away with a 2-1 double overtime road victory by way of midfielder Taylor Chianese connecting for the game-winning strike.
A Win Would Mean…
» DSU's first 1-3 start since 2007.
» The Hornets would not start a season at 0-4, snapping a three-year skid.
» Delaware State's first regular season victory since defeating Howard last year on Oct. 29, 3-0.
Last Time Out…
The Hornets suffered a 2-0 loss at home last Friday to Quinnipiac. During the 73rd minute, the scoreless tie was broken with forward Nadya Gill (2) scoring via a header shot at close range, after an attempt by midfielder Jess Gargan hit the crossbar. As a result, defender Jess Cascio sent a sharp free kick from the right wing to the front of the net, as forward Jessica Jankowski (1) scored after controlling it. At game's end, Quinnipiac finished with 14 shot attempts – including 10 in the final 45 minutes. DSU, on the other hand, registered two attempts each half. The Hornets had a chance to take an early 1-0 lead in the first stanza, when midfielder Danielle Valente was awarded a penalty kick opportunity after drawing a foul inside of QU's goalie box. Nevertheless, goalkeeper Natalia Grodzki (2-0) denied Valente for one of her two saves on the night, whereas Michele Lammers (0-3) collected three stops in the net for the Hornets.
Scroope Approaching Milestone
With seven career wins as DSU's head coach, Kerri Scroope needs four 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 0-3, coming off a 2-1 double overtime loss at home to UMass Lowell.
Coming Up Next…
The Columbia Blue & Red will conclude their brief two-game road swing this Wednesday night (7 p.m.) against Rider. Last season, DSU fell at home to the Broncs, 2-1.
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.
