Women's Soccer 8/15/2018 1:34:00 PM

HIGHLANDERS OPEN 2018 SEASON HOSTING SAINT FRANCIS

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RADFORD, Va. – The 2018 women's soccer regular season is finally here and it presents itself with a tough task as the Highlanders open the year with Saint Francis (Pa.) on Thursday at Cupp Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: Saint Francis (Pa.)
Location: Radford, Va. (Cupp Stadium)
Time: 7 p.m.
Live Stats

ABOUT THE MATCHUP
Radford leads the all-time series, 4-1, but Saint Francis (Pa.) picked up its first win over the Highlanders on September 17, 2017 with a 3-0 win.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
Radford was picked to finish fourth in the Big South Preseason Polls. The Highlanders received the second-most first place votes among the 11 teams. Offensively, Radford tallied 26 shots in two exhibition matches. Reese Degnan and Jessica Wollmann were the two Highlanders to find the back of the net in the preseason matches as each recorded one. Defensively, Lexi Dean and Courtenay Kaplan came up with three saves apiece, but the back line only allowed 7.5 shots per contest. Radford is 2-2-1 in its last five season openers. The Highlanders began the 2017 season with a 4-0 victory over Howard.

LAST TIME OUT
The Highlanders defeated Concord, 2-1. Radford outshot the Mountain Lions 21-5 and had 10 land on goal. Wollmann scored the game-winning goal in the 53^rd minute.

WHO'S BACK AND WHO'S NEW
The 2018 team features 17 letterwinners, which includes eight starters. The dynamic duo of Wollmann and Jasmine Casarez are back for their senior seasons. The pair combined for 18 goals and nine assists in 2017. Casarez became the first Highlander to score double-digit goals since 2008, scoring 11. The eight starters combined for 32 of the Highlanders 36 goals from a season ago. With the addition of 10 newcomers, the leadership mixed with the young talent could be the key to success.

ABOUT THE RED FLASH
Saint Francis went 10-8-3 last season, but won seven of its last 11 and defeated top-seeded Farleigh Dickinson, 3-2, in PKs to clinch an automatic berth to the 2017 NCAA Tournament. SFU has seven returning starters including top goal scorer, Alyssa McGhee, who netted 10 goals a year ago. She also added 10 assists and tallied 30 points – both led the 2017 team. The Red Flash were picked to finish first in the NEC Preseason Polls. Saint Francis is winless in its last five season openers, going 0-4-1. However, SFU has won four NEC titles since 2010.

DID YOU KNOW?
The Highlanders had a seven match win streak and were 7-0 in 2017 when they met the Red Flash in Loretto, Pa.

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

#25 Lexi Dean: GK; 5' 7"; Sophomore; McLane SC

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

#12 Jessica Wollmann: F; 5' 6"; Senior; New River United

#17 Reese Degnan: F; 5' 4"; Freshman; VA Legacy

Players Mentioned

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

#25 Lexi Dean
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; McLane SC
: GK

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

#12 Jessica Wollmann
: 5' 6"; Senior; New River United
: F

#17 Reese Degnan
: 5' 4"; Freshman; VA Legacy
: F