Women's Soccer 11/3/2018 12:46:00 PM

WOMEN’S SOCCER FACES GARDNER-WEBB IN BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP ON SUNDAY

Follow @RadfordWSOC

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's soccer team is one win away from an NCAA Tournament automatic bid, but will face a tough test in No. 2 Gardner-Webb in the Big South Championship on Sunday at 2 p.m., at Matthews Sportsplex in Matthews, N.C.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: No. 2 Gardner-Webb
Location: Matthews, N.C. (Matthews Sportsplex)
Time: 2 p.m.

ABOUT THE MATCHUP
Radford and Gardner-Webb will meet for the 15^th time in program history on Sunday. Radford holds a 7-6-1 advantage over the Runnin' Bulldogs. It will be the second postseason meeting between the schools. Gardner-Webb leads, 1-0-0, following its 1-0 quarterfinal win in 2010.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
Radford enters with a 15-2-1 record. The 15 wins tie the most wins since 2013 and is tied for second in program history. The Highlanders have outscored their opponents 43-16 and are averaging 2.39 goals per game. Radford ranks first in shots (361), goals (43), assists (37), points (123), goals allowed (16), goals against average (0.82) and shutouts (10). Jasmine Casarez paces the Big South with 101 shots (5.61 per game). She is tied for second in the Big South with 13 goals. Nelia Perez tops the conference with 0.56 assists per game and 10 total. Courtenay Kaplan has seven shutouts with a 0.83 goals against average - both lead the Big South.

NATIONAL RECOGNITION (as of 10/31/18 per NCAA.com)
As a team, the Highlanders are 12^th in the country averaging 2.41 goals per game and 18^th in points per game averaging just under seven. Radford also ranks ninth in winning percentage and shots on goal per game. Perez ranks 14^th in the country in total assists and assists per game. Casarez's team-leading six game-winning goals currently ranks fifth among all individuals in NCAA Soccer. The Big South Attacking Player of the Year also ranks second in the country with 5.65 shots per game.

LAST TIME OUT
Radford dominated Campbell in semifinal action of the Big South Tournament with a 2-0 win on Friday evening. Radford notched 24 shots and held the Fighting Camels to just three. Casarez picked up the 10^th multi-goal match of her career and fourth this season.

LAST TIME AGAINST GARDNER-WEBB
Gardner-Webb is the only team that the Highlanders have lost to in Big South play. The Runnin' Bulldogs scored two first half goals en route to a 2-1 victory on September 22. Kayla Thomas netted her first collegiate goal in the second half of that match. The Highlanders outshot the Runnin' Bulldogs 19-12 in the match.

ABOUT GARDNER-WEBB
Against USC Upstate in semifinal action on Friday night, Jada Newton scored a goal with 4:01 remaining that gave Gardner-Webb a spot in the Big South women's soccer championship for the first time since 2010. The Runnin' Bulldogs are on a nine match unbeaten streak and have won four in a row. Newton is second on the team with 10 goals and Stina Kleppe leads the squad with 11. GWU has scored 39 goals and has held opposition to 22 goals.

RECORDS WATCH
With a win the Highlanders will tie the program record for wins in a season. Radford won 16 matches in 1997, Ben Sohrabi's second season at the helm. Currently, the 15 wins is the most since 2013 and is second most in a single-season.

FOLLOW WOMEN'S SOCCER ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on the Radford women's soccer team follow @RadfordWSOC on Twitter and Instagram or Radford Women's Soccer on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

#15 Jasmine Casarez: MF; 5' 7"; Senior; Legends FC

#1 Courtenay Kaplan: GK; 5' 6"; Junior; Loudoun 98 Red

#11 Nelia Perez: F; 5' 2"; Junior; Newport News FC, Chesapeake FC, Churchland SL

#18 Kayla Thomas: D; 5' 9"; Freshman; Waimak United

Players Mentioned

#15 Jasmine Casarez
: 5' 7"; Senior; Legends FC
: MF

#1 Courtenay Kaplan
: 5' 6"; Junior; Loudoun 98 Red
: GK

#11 Nelia Perez
: 5' 2"; Junior; Newport News FC, Chesapeake FC, Churchland SL
: F

#18 Kayla Thomas
: 5' 9"; Freshman; Waimak United
: D