SEMIFINAL READY; RADFORD FACES CAMPBELL IN MATTHEWS ON THURSDAY

MATTHEWS, N.C. – For the second time in as years the Radford women's soccer team will compete in the Big South Tournament Semifinals and face off against the same opponent as last year, Campbell. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m., at the Sportsplex at Matthews in Matthews, N.C.

The only difference between this season and last is the number next to the name. Radford enters as the No. 3 seed and Campbell claims the No. 2 seed. The two teams met on Oct. 19 in Buies Creek, which ultimately decided who would claim the second spot in the conference. Campbell came out victorious, 1-0.

This matchup features a great one-on-one matchup as the Big South Defensive Player of the Year Kayla Thomas will go head-to-head with the Big South Attacking Player of the Year, Alexa Genas. The senior from Campbell notched the game-winning goal in the first meeting between the two schools. Genas leads the Camels with 13 goals and 10 assists and tallied a goal and an assist in the quarterfinal win over Presbyterian.

Radford had offensive fireworks in its quarterfinal match with Longwood as three different players scored goals in the 3-2 victory. A Big South First Team selection, Nelia Perez, tallied one goal and two assists for a total of four points, which was one point shy of a career-high. It was the third time she had four or more points in a match this season.

Gabi Paupst had a stellar outing as well for the Highlanders. She notched a goal and two assists for three points. The junior has racked up three or more points five times this year. She's second on the team with nine goals – a career-high – while Perez leads the squad with 11 goals.

Brianna Oliver has picked up her play as of late, recording points in three of the last five matches. She had a goal and an assist for a total of three points on Oct. 23^rd against Gardner-Webb. The junior was the final Highlander that notched a goal on Saturday against the Lancers.

Campbell leads the Big South with 19 shots per game and 2.56 goals per game, while Radford is first in the league in goals allowed with less than one per contest (0.74). The Highlander has also tallied 10 shutouts this season – tied for 24^th in the NCAA.

Radford picked up its first win as a No. 3 seed in the Big South Tournament on Saturday, improving its record to 1-1-1. The team is 2-0 in games played in Matthews, N.C., with a pair of wins in 2018.

The winner of the matchup will face the winner of No. 1 High Point and No. 4 Gardner-Webb on Championship Sunday at 2 p.m., for a trip to the NCAA Tournament on the line.

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.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#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

#15 Brianna Oliver: MF; 5' 3"; Junior; BRYC Elite 98

Players Mentioned

#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

#15 Brianna Oliver
: 5' 3"; Junior; BRYC Elite 98
: MF