Women's Soccer Games of the Week (9/6 - 9/8)
Like last weekend, the slate of games has some huge matchups this weekend, none bigger than a matchup between the # 1 and # 3 teams in the College Sports Madness poll, North Carolina and UCLA. Other big matchups are Maryland at Santa Clara, UCLA at Duke, Baylor at Texas A&M, and LSU at USC.
#3 UCLA (4-0) vs. # 1 North Carolina (4-0) at Duke Nike Classic, Friday, 8 pm ET
The Tar Heels come into this weekend’s matchup with a perfect 4-0 record, while outscoring their opponents 11-1 on the young season. Crystal Dunn has four goals on the season, while Kealia Ohai has three and Paige Nielsen two.
The Bruins also come in with a perfect 4-0 record, with two impressive wins last weekend over Midwest powers Notre Dame and Marquette. An impressive feat in the team’s 1-0 win over the Irish is that the Bruins outshot their opponents 20-1, with Notre Dame not getting a shot off after the 28th minute. Darian Jenkins continued her hot streak, scoring the team’s only goal and her fourth of the season. She has scored a goal in each of the squad’s four games.
#14 Maryland (4-0) at Santa Clara (2-2), Friday, 10 pm ET
Maryland leaves its home state for the first time, as it travels to the West Coast to play Santa Clara and Stanford. The Terrapin offense has been a dynamic one, outscoring their opponents 18-2. Hayley Brick leads the squad with six goals, including a hat trick against Villanova. Shannon Collins has five assists, while two players have three and four others have two. Goalie Rachelle Beanlands has had to make just seven saves in 315 minutes of game action.
After stumbling out of the gate and losing to two of the top teams in the country, Virginia and UNC, Santa Clara rebounded last weekend by defeating Long Beach State (4-0) and Fresno State (1-0). Julie Johnston has scored three of the Broncos’ five goals on the year. An impressive part about Johnston’s scoring is that those three goals have come on four shots on goal and one her three goals was last week’s overtime winner against Fresno State.
#9 Baylor (4-0) at Texas A&M (2-2) at Texas A&M Tournament, Sunday, 7 pm CT
Baylor has started the season undefeated as it goes into a weekend tournament at instate rival Texas A&M , where it will face off with former Big 12 rivals Missouri and the host Aggies. Ashley York leads the squad with four goals, while two others have two apiece. The Bears have yet to give up a goal, as their two goalies have combined for four shutouts but haven’t really been tested, only needing to save eight shots.
The Aggies come in with a 2-2 record, with their two losses to Duke and Pepperdine. The team has yet to leave the confines of Ellis Field and actually only does so once until October. Kelley Monogue has scored two goals, while three others have one each. Jordan Day has been busy in goal, making 13 saves.
LSU (2-1-1) vs. #19 USC (3-0) at Minnesota Tournament, Sunday, 11 am CT
LSU comes in after suffering its first loss on Monday, a 4-2 setback to BYU. Fernanda Pina has a team-high three goals, while two others have two. The four goals allowed to BYU were the first goals allowed by LSU goalie Megan Kinneman this season. Through four games, she has 13 saves.
The Trojans come in undefeated and averaging four goals per game, having scored four in each of their three matches. They’ve outscored their opponents 12-4 through three games. Elizabeth Eddy leads the squad with four goals, while Tamara Samarzich has three. Two other players have scored two each. After having a rough year following her transfer from Missouri, goalie Caroline Stanley has put up huge numbers this year, giving up only two goals in over 257 minutes, while saving nine shots. She has started all three games and picked up the wins in each.
