Women's Soccer 8/22/2019 8:36:00 AM

WOMEN’S SOCCER OPENS 2019 SEASON HOSTING APPALACHIAN STATE

RADFORD, Va. – The reigning Big South Regular Season and Tournament Champions will begin their 2019 season on Friday night at 7 p.m., against Appalachian State inside Cupp Stadium.

ABOUT THE MATCHUP
Radford leads the all-time series with Appalachian State, 7-5-0. The Highlanders won the meeting between the two schools last season, 2-0.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS
After one of the best seasons in program history, the 2019 team was picked to finish first in the Big South Preseason Poll, announced earlier this month. Some key pieces return from the 2018 squad including Courtenay Kaplan, who played 1,429 minutes in goal. She is poised to maintain the same defensive intensity for her senior season. Sophomore Kayla Thomas and senior Emily Dunn return from a defense that only allowed 1.10 goals and 14 shots per game in 2018. Nelia Perez heads up a strong offense that averaged 2.20 goals per game last season. The Newport News, Va., native led the team with 10 assists last season and is the top returning goal-scorer with five. Junior Gabi Paupst is next on the list with four and sophomore Reese Degnan is third with three goals.

GOALKEEPERS
"Our goalkeepers have been playing well," Ben Sohrabi stated. "They compete with each other but at the same time they're very encouraging. It's one of our strengths right now because all of them have been training well."

DEFENDERS
"Lily McLane and Emily Dunn are the two experienced leaders in the back line," Sohrabi stated. "They are very smart in how they defend. Kayla Thomas is the center back defender, but we've got a lot of girls that could play back there. Mia Wood and Emily Ridge have looked great in the preseason. Saleena Lynch and Kennedy Dunnings have played some quality minutes for us in the first two exhibitions. We have a lot of options in the back and our defense can be very deep."

MIDFIELDERS
"We lost a lot last year in the midfield, so we'll have some new players step up this season," Sohrabi added. "We have a transfer from Coastal Carolina in Brianna Oliver that is filling a lot of roles that we want. Gabi Paupst is another experienced player returning for us. Tannis McKay and Katie Oliver are a pair of freshmen that are still learning but could provide some good minutes for us. There are a few other players that could offer us some help in the middle of the field as well."

FORWARDS
"This another area that we lost a lot from last season, but we've had some players step up in Nicole Ray and Reese Degnan that could give us some quality minutes," Sohrabi finished. "Maevyn Jones could offer some depth up top and Sandra Brackett has worked hard in the offseason to put herself in a position to score some goals here and there. All in all, Nelia Perez is going to continue doing what she does best. I think we may have to attack in different ways because she will be on everyone's radar."

ABOUT APPALACHIAN STATE
Appalachian State return eight of 11 starters from last season, including eight of their top nine leading goal scorers. Among those returning is Maggie Hanusek, who is coming off her best season in an App State uniform. Hanusek tied for the lead with a personal-high three goals and four assists, equaling a career-high 10 points. The Mountaineers tied with Western Carolina and ETSU in their two exhibitions this 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

#5 Sandra Brackett: F/MF/D; 5' 4"; Junior; Fredericksburg FC

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

#7 Emily Dunn: D; 5' 4"; Senior; Maryland United

#20 Maevyn Jones: F; 5' 6"; Sophomore; Arlington Red 2000G

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

#6 Lily McLane: D; 5' 6"; Junior; Sac Premier

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

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

#10 Nicole Ray: MF; 5' 3"; Senior; FFC Elite

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

Players Mentioned

#5 Sandra Brackett
: 5' 4"; Junior; Fredericksburg FC
: F/MF/D

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

#7 Emily Dunn
: 5' 4"; Senior; Maryland United
: D

#20 Maevyn Jones
: 5' 6"; Sophomore; Arlington Red 2000G
: F

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

#6 Lily McLane
: 5' 6"; Junior; Sac Premier
: D

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

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

#10 Nicole Ray
: 5' 3"; Senior; FFC Elite
: MF

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