Women’s Soccer Games of the Week (9/19 - 9/22)
Most of the conferences have moved into conference play, but there are still some good non-conference matchups as well. This weekend has a full slate of interesting matchups starting on Thursday and going all the way through Sunday afternoon. Some of the key games include the following.
UCF at #8 Georgetown, Thursday, 3 pm ET
The Knights are riding a four-game winning streak, in which they have outscored their opponents 12-1. As a team, UCF is outscoring its opponents 19-4, led by Tatiana Coleman, who has six goals. Kayla Adamek and Jennifer Martin each have three goals and Ashley Nicol has a team-high three assists. Lianne Maldonado has allowed just four goals in nearly 575 minutes and has made 15 saves.
Georgetown comes in with a perfect 7-0 record, but other than one OT game and another one-goal game, the team has not really been challenged thus far. The Hoyas are outscoring their opponents 30-5 on the season, led by three players who have four goals. However, six other players have two or more goals. Audra Ayotte has eight assists to go along with her four goals. Emma Newins has 13 saves in over 535 minutes.
#15 California at Santa Clara, Thursday, 10 pm ET
Cal goes on the road with a 5-0-1 record and is coming off a 4-0 shutout of UC Davis. The Bears have outscored their opponents 15-4, led by Ifeoma Onumonu, who has five goals. Two others have three goals apiece. Emily Kruger has played all 560 minutes and has allowed only four goals, while accounting for 17 saves.
The Broncos start a big weekend where they face both Cal and Stanford. They have a 4-2 record and have won four straight after dropping their first two to powerhouses North Carolina and Virginia. In fact, in those four games, Santa Clara has given up just one goal. Julie Johnson and Morgan Marlborough each have four goals for the team. No other player has more than one goal. Andi Tostanoski has been a stud in goal. She has given up five goals in nearly 500 minutes, but also has 26 saves.
#13 South Carolina at Georgia, Friday, 7 pm ET
South Carolina comes into its opening SEC match with a 7-0-1 record, including an impressive win over Duke. The Gamecocks have been dominant and have outscored their opponents 12-1. Danielle Au and Raina Johnson each have three goals. Sabrina D'Angelo has played all 740 minutes and saved 24 shots, while allowing the aforementioned one goal.
Georgia comes in with a 7-1 record, including six shutouts and three 1-0 wins. Like their opponents, the Bulldogs have been dominant in their scoring; knocking in 15 goals, while allowing just three. Marion Crowder has six goals, which is leading the team. Caitlin Woody has played all 730 minutes in goal and has made 19 saves.
Minnesota at Indiana, Saturday, 6 pm ET
The Gophers have a 7-1 record, with their only loss coming to Florida. Among their wins include victories over Iowa State, LSU and Ole Miss. Katie Thyken has five goals on nine shots on goal and Josee Stiever has three balls that have gone into the net. Two players have a team-leading three assists. Minnesota has used two goalies so far this season, with both getting almost equal playing time. Tarah Hobbs, who has played about 60 minutes more than Kristen Knutson, has 18 saves.
Indiana comes in with a 7-0-1 record, including five shutouts. The team has outscored its opponents 20-2 and Lisa Nouanesengsy has six goals. Two other players have three goals. One of those with three goals, Kayleigh Steigerwalt, has four assists. Shannon Flower has played all 740 minutes and saved 20 shots.
#19 Michigan at Iowa, Sunday, 1 pm ET, Big Ten Network
Michigan is coming off of its first loss, a 1-0 heartbreaker to Butler. The game against the Bulldogs marked the first game away from the Wolverines' home field. Nkem Ezurike has picked up where she left off last year and leads the squad with five goals. She also has a team-high five assists. Two other players have three goals and two have four assists. Taylor Bucklin has adjusted to the college game well, as the true freshman has allowed only three goals in 618 minutes, while saving 15 shots.
Iowa sports a perfect 8-0 record, which includes five shutouts. The Hawkeyes are balanced in scoring with three players with three goals and two others with two each. One of those players with two goals, Cloe Lacasse, also has four assists. Hannah Clark has played every minute in goal and saved 19 shots, while allowing only four balls into the net.
