Women's Soccer 11/1/2019 4:30:00 PM

WOMEN’S SOCCER HOSTS COMMONWEALTH FOE FOR BIG SOUTH QUARTERFINAL MATCH

RADFORD, Va. – The Radford women's soccer team looks to defend its Big South Tournament title starting with No. 6 Longwood on Saturday night at Cupp Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.

Ticket prices are $5 for adults, $3 for kids ages 12 & under and $1 for Longwood students – cash only. Students, faculty and staff with a Radford ID will get into Cupp Stadium for FREE. The match can be also seen on ESPN+.

Radford enters the postseason with two straight victories as it turns its attention to Longwood. The Highlanders and Lancers are matching up for the 17th time in program history, but for only the second time as opponents in the Big South Tournament. In the 2012 Big South Radford shutout Longwood 2-0 in the semifinals en route to a tournament championship. The last time the two schools faced each other on Oct. 2, the Highlanders dropped a close 1-0 match on the road.

Senior Nelia Perez led the Highlanders and was third in the Big South, finishing the regular season with nine and her teammate Gabi Paupst not far behind with eight of her own. The duo was named First Team All-Conference selections on Thursday, along with Kayla Thomas – the Big South Defensive Player of the Year.

After recording 15 matches with 90 minutes of gameplay on the defensive end, it's no surprise that Thomas was tabbed with the honor. She had a stellar year that started off with a bang on Aug. 26th after being named Big South Defensive Player of the Week. The Rolleston, New Zealand native has also helped the Highlanders to 10 shutouts this season, including three of the last four matches.

That stellar defense couldn't have been done without the help of Courtenay Kaplan, who was named Second Team All-Conference. Kaplan's .871 save percentage was second-best in the Big South, just behind Madison Van Dyke at Longwood who has a .873 save percentage.

Radford has shut out opponents nine times this season, best in the Big South tied with Campbell. Longwood has six shutouts, which is tied for third best. Longwood's point leader Kennedy Culbreath has totaled 14 points this season, averaging 0.93 a game. She has scored six times, dished a pair of assists to garner Big South All-Honorable Mention accolades.

With a win, the Highlanders will travel to Matthews, N.C., to face the winner of No. 2 Campbell and No. 7 Presbyterian on Thursday at 7 p.m.

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Players Mentioned

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

#9 Gabi Paupst: MF; 5' 10"; Junior; Toronto Blizzard

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

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

Players Mentioned

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

#9 Gabi Paupst
: 5' 10"; Junior; Toronto Blizzard
: MF

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

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