Tag: Beattie Goad

2019 Week 9 Preview

It’s approaching crunch time for teams looking to secure conference tournament berths, with Hawaii, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Texas Tech all in solid positions. Meanwhile, Beattie Goad and Teagan Micah face off in the always highly-anticipated UCLA v Stanford matchup.

(Image Credit: Rand Bleimeister/UCLA)

Undoubtedly the biggest news of this week has already been released, with UCLA midfielder Rachel Lowe and Rhode Island goalkeeper Teresa Morrissey being named to the Young Matildas squad for the AFC Under-19 Championship. The pair will miss the remainder of the regular season on international duty as they attempt to secure Under-20 World Cup qualification before hopefully going on to secure the trophy in Thailand.

Back in the States, Sam Roff and Fairleigh Dickinson find themselves preparing for a top of the table clash with Bryant in the Northeast Conference. The Knights sit two points clear of the Bulldogs with four games to play, and a win here would ensure that they hold at least a one-game lead heading into the final two weeks. With Fairleigh Dickinson having conceded just two goals in six games in league play and Bryant giving up just three, whichever defence best maintains its current form could be the catalyst for their team’s success. That makes Roff a crucial part of the equation, with the Fairleigh Dickinson senior in outstanding form in recent weeks. Furthermore, a win in this contest could secure a postseason berth for the Knights, with a number of teams in the chasing pack still set to take points off each other in the coming games.

Rachel Lowe may not be available, but Stanford v UCLA remains one of the most anticipated games in the college season for Australian fans. Beattie Goad and Teagan Micah have put together two of the most storied careers in College Matildas history, and this weekend brings their final matchup in conference play. Somehow, Micah and UCLA are yet to best Stanford in any of their matchups, with Goad coming away victorious in all three of their Pac-12 matchups as well as the 2017 College Cup final. Stanford are in blistering form at the moment, but Micah comes into this contest on the back of a Matildas camp call-up and a clean sheet against Utah last week. These games have a history of producing thrilling contests, making Sunday afternoon’s matchup an absolute must-watch – if you can find a way to watch, that is. The game is being televised on Pac-12 Bay Area, which is not available in Australia.

Demi Koulizakis and Texas Tech finished last week with a win and a draw, but that was enough to put the Red Raiders top of the Big 12 table with each of the top six teams having now played 5 of their 9 conference games. Despite that, this week’s game come against a TCU side that sits five points back but has a game in hand, making this contest far more crucial that it appears at first glance. Not only would a loss almost certainly cost Texas Tech their position atop the table, it would allow the Horned Frogs to edge their way back into the league race at a time when the Red Raiders should really be pulling ahead of the pack. TCU have conceded just three goals in their four games to this point, so Koulizakis and her attacking teammates will need to reprise their solid form of recent weeks if they are to break down the Horned Frogs’ defence. Koulizakis won a penalty against West Virginia last week before tallying five shots in the draw with Kansas. However, just one of those five shots was on target. If the senior can convert some of those opportunities that she has been able to create, it is all but guaranteed to spell success for the #13 ranked Red Raiders.

Hawaii currently have the best RPI ranking in the Big West Conference, but that will mean very little if they can’t continue winning league games. Sitting at 2-0 with a game in hand over conference leaders Cal State Fullerton, the Rainbow Wahine face off against the Titans themselves this week. This will be a tough fixture against a team with an 11-2-1 record, but Hawaii’s starting lineup features a certain in-form Australian, with Eliza Ammendolia coming off a hat-trick of assists in last week’s 3-0 win over UC Irvine. However, before they can even think about knocking off the ladder-leaders, Hawaii will have to get past bottom side UC Riverside. A win over Cal State Fullerton would still be crucial regardless of the result in their earlier game, but it looks unlikely that many opponents will be dropping points to UC Riverside this season. Having missed last year’s Big West tournament by just two points, bagging points against the lower teams in the league will be crucial if Hawaii are to reach the postseason for the first time since joining the conference.

Full Schedule

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: v Texas Southern – 10am, Saturday October 19; v Prairie View A&M – 5am, Monday October 21

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: v Utah Valley – 5am, Saturday October 19; v New Mexico State – 5am, Monday October 21

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: v Mercer – 10am, Saturday October 19; v The Citadel – 5am, Monday October 21

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: v Bryant – 3am, Monday October 21

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: v Seattle – 1pm, Saturday October 19; @ Cal Baptist – 7am, Monday October 21

Hawaii (Eliza Ammendolia, Kiri Dale)

This week: @ UC Riverside – 1pm, Saturday October 19; @ Cal State Fullerton – 2pm, Monday October 21

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: v UNC Wilmington – 4am, Monday October 21

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: @ Penn State – 10am, Friday October 18; @ Ohio State – 5am, Monday October 21

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: @ George Mason – 10am, Friday October 18; v Davidson – 4am, Monday October 21

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: @ Vanderbilt – 11am, Saturday October 19

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: @ Rice – 11am, Saturday October 19; @ North Texas – 4am, Monday October 21

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: v Alabama – 10am, Friday October 18

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: @ Stephen F. Austin – 11am, Saturday October 19; @ Sam Houston State – 5am, Monday October 21

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: v Purdue Fort Wayne – 11am, Saturday October 19; v Western Illinois – 5am, Monday October 21

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: v Florida Atlantic – 10am, Friday October 18; @ UAB – 4am, Monday October 21

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: @ St. Bonaventure – 10am, Friday October 18; v Richmond – 4am, Monday October 21

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: @ Tennessee-Martin – 6am, Monday October 21

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: v UCLA – 1pm, Sunday October 20

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: v TCU – 11am, Saturday October 19

UCLA (Rachel Lowe, Teagan Micah)

This week: @ Stanford – 1pm, Sunday October 20

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: @ Maine – 3am, Monday October 21

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: v The Citadel – 10am, Saturday October 19; v Mercer – 9am, Monday October 21

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: v Boise State – 8am, Saturday October 19; v Utah State – 6am, Monday October 21

2019 Week 7 Wrap

Claudia Jenkins and Teresa Morrissey continued to play starring roles for their respective teams between the sticks, whilst Tessa Calabria doubled her goals tally for the season. Meanwhile, Beattie Goad may not have been credited with a stat on the scoresheet, but was nonetheless crucial in two Stanford goals.

(Image Credit: Greg Carroccio / Sideline Photos)

La Salle may have ended the weekend with a win and a loss, but Claudia Jenkins has every right to be proud of her performance this weekend after keeping the Explorers in the contest on both occasions. The junior came up with a mammoth 8-save performance in a win over VCU to open the weekend, picking up her third clean sheet of the year as a 17th-minute goal for La Salle was enough to secure victory. However, another three saves against Saint Joseph’s couldn’t atone for the fact that La Salle managed just one shot on target as the Hawks secured a 1-0 victory to leave the Explorers sitting on 9 points of a possible 15 with six conference games remaining.

Teresa Morrissey was even more unlucky than Jenkins to not walk away with a pair of wins this weekend as Rhode Island fell to a pair of overtime defeats despite the freshman’s efforts between the sticks. Seven saves in 97 minutes against Davidson, including a couple of acrobatic tips over the bar, unfortunately proved not enough to counter Rhode Island’s lack of goalscoring. Midway through the first overtime period, a Davidson attacker was played through and beat Morrissey to the ball to slot home for the golden goal victory, denying the freshman a deserved result. Another eight saves from Morrissey against Massachusetts in the Rhode Island’s second game of the week saw the Rams head to overtime for a second time this weekend with the scoreline reading 1-1 after 90 minutes after an equaliser in the final minute of regulation. However, a penalty early in overtime afforded Massachusetts the opportunity to tally the game-winner, with the Minutewomen duly converting. However, with 15 saves across two games, Morrissey was easily one of the standout performers of the weekend.

Tessa Calabria opened the season with a goal against Mississippi Valley State, but the senior had found herself unable to find the back of the net since that opening day effort. However, that changed this weekend as the senior netted the opener for Nicholls State before the Colonels unfortunately conceded two goals in quick succession to fall to a 2-1 defeat to Houston Baptist. Calabria banged home the Colonels’ only goal of the game in the 15th minute, but with Nicholls State only managing three shots on target throughout the contest, adding to their tally would be tough, and it proved as such as Houston Baptist recovered to secure victory.

Beattie Goad has moved into an impact role off the bench as a number of Stanford stars return to full fitness, but the senior showed why she held a starting role for much of the season as the Cardinal dominated both Washington and Washington State this weekend. Whilst not receiving an assist in the Cardinal’s 5-0 win over Washington State, Goad was instrumental in two goals. In the final minute before halftime, the senior played in teammate Belle Briede, who was brought down in the area, resulting in a penalty which was duly converted. Goad then delivered the ball for Stanford’s final goal, which was originally credited to Naomi Girma, but later changed to an own goal, denying Goad an assist but nevertheless failing to diminish her impact on the phase of play that led to the goal.

Sam Roff continues to marshal an outstanding Fairleigh Dickinson defence whilst providing some extra potency to the Knights’ attack, and it showed as much this week as the team from New Jersey produced two vital victories to move to the top of the Northeast Conference standings. With a stellar back four led by Roff backed up by record-breaking goalkeeper Amanda Fitzgerald, the Knights’ goal remained untouched throughout the weekend as they edged to a 1-0 overtime win over Central Connecticut State before dominating Sacred Heart for a 3-0 victory. Hungry for more goals after scoring her first career tally earlier in the season, Roff had yet another shot on target in the win over Sacred Heart, but couldn’t beat the Pioneers goalkeeper on this occasion.

Player of the Year Points:

3: Claudia Jenkins (La Salle)
2: Teresa Morrissey (Rhode Island)
1: Sam Roff (Fairleigh Dickinson)

Complete Results

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: defeated Jackson State 3-2; defeated Southern 1-0

Sophie Bui started both games this week, registering a shot on target in 36 minutes against Jackson State before playing 31 minutes in the win over Southern.

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: lost 4-1 to Seattle

Sarah Clark did not feature for Chicago State in their loss to Seattle.

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: lost 2-1 to Samford; drew 0-0 with Chattanooga

D’arne Boato did not feature for East Tennessee State in either game this week.

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: defeated Central Connecticut State 1-0 (OT); defeated Sacred Heart 3-0

Sam Roff started both games this week, playing 75 minutes in the win over Central Connecticut State before registering a shot on target in 69 minutes against Sacred Heart.

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: defeated New Mexico State 2-1; lost 1-0 to UTRGV

Sandra Hill started both games for Grand Canyon this week, playing 83 minutes in the win over New Mexico State and the full 90 minutes in the loss to UTRGV.

Hawaii (Eliza Ammendolia, Kiri Dale)

This week: defeated Cal State Northridge 2-1 (OT)

Eliza Ammendolia started for Hawaii in their win over Cal State Northridge, tallying a single shot in target in 72 minutes. Kiri Dale came off the bench, playing 23 minutes.

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: drew 2-2 with Northeastern; defeated Charleston 3-0

Neither Grace Watson Carr nor Monique Iannella featured for Hofstra in either game this week.

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: lost 1-0 to Indiana; lost 6-2 to Maryland

Ashleigh Lefevre started both games for Illinois this week, seeing 58 minutes of action against Indiana and 46 minutes against Maryland.

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: defeated VCU 1-0; lost 1-0 to Saint Joseph’s

Claudia Jenkins played all 180 minutes of the weekend, coming up with a mammoth 8 saves in the win over VCU and another 3 against Saint Joseph’s. Alyssa Van Heurck started both games, playing 49 minutes against VCU and tallying a shot in 36 minutes against Saint Joseph’s.

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: lost 2-0 to Auburn

Caitlin Cantrill did not feature for LSU in their loss to Auburn.

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: defeated Old Dominion 3-2 (OT); lost 2-1 to Charlotte

Laura Farrelly did not feature for Marshall in either game this week.

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: lost 3-0 to Arkansas

Aimee Medwin did not feature for Mississippi in their loss to Arkansas.

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: lost 2-0 to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi; @ Houston Baptist – 5am, Monday October 7

Tessa Calabria started both games for Nicholls State this week, registering a shot in 67 minutes against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi before notching the opener against Houston Baptist in a 74-minute outing. Kristy Helmers played the full 90 minutes on both occasions this week, tallying a shot on target against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Shauni Reid did not feature for the Colonels in either game this week.

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: defeated South Dakota 2-1

Eden Taylor-Wineera did not feature for North Dakota State in their win over South Dakota.

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: lost 3-2 to Marshall (OT); defeated Western Kentucky 3-0

Gaby Bentley did not feature for Old Dominion in either game this week.

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: lost 1-0 to Davidson (OT); lost 2-1 to Massachusetts (OT)

Teresa Morrissey played every minute of Rhode Island’s two overtime losses, coming up with 7 saves against Davidson and 8 more against Massachusetts.

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: defeated SIU-Edwardsville 2-1 (OT); defeated Southern Illinois 2-0

Siena Senatore came off the bench for Southeast Missouri State in both games this week, playing 36 minutes against SIU-Edwardsville and 56 minutes in the win over Southern Illinois.

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: defeated Washington State 5-0; defeated Washington 4-0

Beattie Goad came off the bench for Stanford in both games, tallying an assist on Stanford’s final goal in a 31-minute outing against Washington State before seeing 38 minutes of playing time in the win over Washington.

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: defeated Iowa State 1-0 (OT)

Demi Koulizakis started for Texas Tech and played 99 minutes in their win over Iowa State, tallying 3 shots.

UCLA (Rachel Lowe, Teagan Micah)

This week: lost 3-0 to Arizona; defeated Arizona State 4-1

Rachel Lowe and Teagan Micah missed both of UCLA’s games this week due to their call-ups to the Matildas training camp in Sydney.

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: lost 4-0 to Stony Brook; lost 4-1 to Massachusetts-Lowell

Neither Abi Jordan nor Teal Kilbride featured for UMBC in either game this week.

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: lost 2-0 to Chattanooga; lost 3-0 to Samford

Kate Swartwout started for Western Carolina against Chattanooga, playing 33 minutes before coming off the bench against Samford to play 27 minutes.

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: lost 3-2 to Air Force; defeated Colorado College 3-2

Indianna Asimus played the full 90 minutes against Air Force, tallying two shots including one that rattled back off the post, before seeing 69 minutes of action against Colorado College.

2019 Week 6 Preview

(Image Credit: Stanford Athletics)

Only two teams received first place votes in the Pac-12 preseason coaches’ poll, and those teams just happen to be the two featuring Aussies – Beattie Goad’s Stanford outfit, and a UCLA side featuring Rachel Lowe and Teagan Micah. With conference play starting this week, both sides will be out to prove that they are deserving of those votes, but it won’t be easy, particularly for Stanford, who face USC in their only game of the weekend. USC sit just one spot below the second-placed Cardinal in the national poll, having compiled a 7-0-1 record to this point, including a win over Florida State on the same weekend that UCLA picked up a win over the Seminoles. With Stanford having just eked out wins in their last two matches, this game on the road will be a significant test, and it will also be interesting to see what kind of playing time Beattie Goad sees. The senior played just 15 minutes off the bench against Santa Clara last week, but prior to that had regularly played significant minutes and even started four games. The return of players like Sophia Smith from injury certainly makes competition for playing time far more intense, but Goad has certainly staked her case for more minutes than she received last time out.

Teagan Micah and Rachel Lowe are flying high at the moment, with both players receiving Matildas training camp call-ups for next week’s camp in Sydney. However, prior to that camp they have one more game against California at home. The Golden Bears are 8-1 to this point, but almost all of their games have come against in-state mid-majors, meaning that whilst they have played some solid opponents, they are yet to face a true test outside of the Portland side that defeated them 2-0 in their last start. However, it is highly unlikely that Teagan Micah will face the same cruisy day that saw the senior not forced to make a save against Hawaii, with the Golden Bears averaging over 5 shots on target per contest. It may be in attack that UCLA need to be at their absolute best though, with Cal sitting in the top 15 in the nation for fewest goals conceded, and that is where Rachel Lowe comes in. Lowe tallied two shots on target and an assist in a career-high 48 minutes against Hawaii, and if the freshman can reprise that form before heading to national team camp, it will provide UCLA with an additional strike weapon that perhaps was not expected to emerge until deeper into the season.

Grand Canyon have struggled in non-conference play so far this season with just one win, but the Antelopes are starting to look better with Sandra Hill back in the lineup. With just one game remaining before league play commences, this match against Omaha looms as an opportunity to find some form against a team that has also secured just one victory to this point. Tabbed to finish fifth in the WAC by the league’s coaches, Grand Canyon are in the kind of position that will see them require a good start to a conference slate that consists of just eight games, as there won’t be many chances to make up ground if they are to qualify for the six-team conference tournament. A little bit of confidence could go a long way in helping the Antelopes do just that, and a win in this one could be just the tonic.

Big 12 play kicks off this weekend, with Demi Koulizakis and Texas Tech having posted the equal-best non-conference record of the ten teams in the league. That makes their first-up game against Oklahoma State especially tasty, as the Cowgirls are the team with whom Texas Tech share that honour. In a league that is expected to be incredibly tight, this game could prove decisive even at this early stage, but it could also be a chance for Demi Koulizakis to make a significant impact against a high-level opponent. The senior is one of a number of attackers playing an integral rear gunner role behind the dominant Kirsten Davis, with the former W-League player tallying a pair of goals and three assists to this point. Davis can almost be guaranteed to bang home the opportunities when presented them, so there will be no shock if Koulizakis tallies at least one more assist this weekend.

Indianna Asimus’ goals have kept Wyoming’s season steady so far, and the Cowgirls faithful will be looking towards the sophomore to keep scoring as the team looks to defend its Mountain West Conference regular season title. With this weekend’s second game coming against a New Mexico side with whom Wyoming shared the title last season, securing a good result here will be crucial to the team’s chances going forward, and this is where Asimus could be integral to their fortunes. Each of the sophomore’s goals have been crucial for the Cowgirls, with three of the sophomore’s four tallies helping her team force overtime and the other proving to be the game-winner in a 2-0 win over Southern Utah. Ex-teammate Caitlin Pickett had a penchant for scoring goals at vital times for Wyoming, and it may be the case that Asimus is taking over for the now-departed Victorian.

Full Schedule

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: @ Grambling State – 9am, Saturday September 28; @ Arkansas-Pine Bluff – 4am, Monday September 30

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: @ Western Illinois – 4am, Monday September 30

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: v Western Carolina – 9am, Saturday September 28

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: v Merrimack – 2am, Monday September 30

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: @ Omaha – 8:30am, Saturday September 28

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: v Drexel – 8am, Friday September 27; v Elon – 2am, Monday September 30

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: @ Iowa – 11am, Friday September 27; @ Nebraska – 4am, Monday September 30

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: @ Richmond – 6am, Friday September 27; v Duquesne – 3am, Monday September 30

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: v Georgia – 9am, Friday September 27; v Texas A&M – 4am, Monday September 30

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: v UTEP – 9am, Friday September 27; @ Florida International – 3am, Monday September 30

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: @ Mississippi State – 9am, Friday September 27; v Auburn – 5am, Monday September 30

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: v Abilene Christian – 7am, Saturday September 28; v Incarnate Word – 4am, Monday September 30

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: @ Utah Valley – 9am, Sunday September 29

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: v Louisiana Tech – 7:30am, Saturday September 28

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: @ Dayton – 9:30am, Friday September 27; v George Washington – 3am, Monday September 30

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: @ Austin Peay – 10am, Saturday September 28; @ Murray State – 4am, Monday September 30

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: @ USC – 6am, Sunday September 29

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: v Oklahoma State – 10am, Friday September 27; v Oklahoma – 4am, Monday September 30

UCLA (Rachel Lowe, Teagan Micah)

This week: v California – 12pm, Saturday September 28

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: v Albany – 4am, Monday September 30

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: v East Tennessee State – 9am, Saturday September 28

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: v San Diego State – 8am, Saturday September 28; v New Mexico – 5am, Monday September 30

2019 Week 5 Preview

Beattie Goad and Stanford will be looking for a more successful week after dropping a game to Pepperdine last week, whilst UCLA and Hawaii bring together no less than five Aussies, including a trio of W-League teammates.

(Image Credit: Michael Rincon)

Stanford had what could only be described as an underwhelming week last week in falling to a loss to Pepperdine and defeating UC Santa Barbara 1-0 with a late winner, and things don’t stand to get any easier this week as the Cardinal take on a Santa Clara side that has already knocked off the Aussie-laden UCLA this season. The Cardinal were perhaps guilty of trying to walk the ball in on a few occasions against teams that stacked the defensive line, but Beattie Goad, among others, came up with some moments that could have ended in goals, including one scintillating cross from the Aussie senior that was headed onto the crossbar against Pepperdine. Stanford may actually benefit from playing a team like Santa Clara, who will be far more attack-minded than either of last week’s opponents, potentially opening up the pitch for the Cardinal attack, with Beattie Goad hopefully one of the beneficiaries as the senior looks to continue an outstanding senior season.

Whilst Stanford are playing a side that has already beaten UCLA, the Bruins themselves will travel to Hawaii face a Pepperdine side that upset Stanford just a week ago. Prior to that result, this contest would have appeared to be a breeze for the Bruins, but the Waves changed that line of thinking with their win over Stanford. UCLA will still come in as favourites, particularly having knocked off defending national champions Florida State and nationally ranked Wisconsin already this season, and with Teagan Micah having already picked up four clean sheets this year, sneaking a one-goal victory will be an incredibly difficult task for the Waves. Rachel Lowe also returned to the UCLA rotation last week, and will surely be hoping to see extended minutes as the Bruins attempt to put Pepperdine to the sword.

The Bruins will then face host side Hawaii in a game featuring no less than five Australians across the playing and coaching staff of both sides. Hawaii midfielder Eliza Ammendolia was a teammate of both Teagan Micah and Rachel Lowe at Western Sydney Wanderers, and with Kiri Dale also on the Rainbow Wahine roster and former Washington State and Matildas defender Rachael Doyle on the Hawaii coaching staff, there will be plenty of reasons for Aussie fans to catch Monday morning’s game.

Ashleigh Lefevre has built on last season’s performances to emerge as an integral part of Illinois’ starting lineup in 2019, and with the Illini kicking off conference play this week against in-state rivals Northwestern, the sophomore finds herself tasked with helping her team get off to a good start against a team picked to finish just one spot below them in the Big Ten. This really is the kind of game Illinois need to win if they are to atone for last year’s controversial omission from the NCAA Tournament, with a middling conference schedule in 2018 perhaps the team’s downfall. However, with a 6-1 record to this point, Illinois are looking in good form, as is Lefevre.

Sandra Hill had seen only limited minutes coming into last week’s pair of games, but the Grand Canyon fullback gained her first start of the season against North Dakota, and played 185 of 200 minutes across two games to re-establish herself as a member of the Antelopes’ lineup. This week sees Grand Canyon celebrate Senior Day against Cal State Northridge, and whilst Hill may not be a senior, both she and the remainder of the Antelopes lineup will be hoping to turn around their form to celebrate the occasion with the team’s second win of the season. It won’t be easy though, particularly against a Cal State Northridge side that has posted five wins in their eight games to this point. But with Hill back to shore up the side, things may just be turning around for Grand Canyon as they prepare to move into conference play.

Full Schedule

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: v North Alabama – 9am, Saturday September 21; @ Mercer – 4am, Monday September 23

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: @ Oral Roberts – 10am, Saturday September 21; @ Tulsa – 5am, Monday September 23

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: v Hampton – 7am, Thursday September 19

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: @ Long Island – 6am, Thursday September 19; @ West Virginia – 9am, Saturday September 21

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: v CSU Northridge – 6am, Monday September 23

Hawaii (Eliza Ammendolia, Kiri Dale)

This week: v Washington State – 3pm, Friday September 20; v UCLA – 11:30am, Monday September 23

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: @ Penn – 8am, Saturday September 21

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: v Northwestern – 10am, Saturday September 21

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: v George Washington – 3am, Monday September 23

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: v Florida – 10am, Friday September 20; v James Madison – 4am, Monday September 23

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: @ Florida Atlantic – 9am, Friday September 20; @ Florida Gulf Coast – 3am, Monday September 23

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: v Missouri – 10am, Saturday September 21

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: @ Lamar – 10am, Saturday September 21

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: @ Eastern Washington – 9am, Saturday September 21

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: @ North Texas – 10am, Saturday September 21

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: @ Dartmouth – 9am, Friday September 20; v Saint Louis – 3am, Monday September 23

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: v Belmont – 9:30am, Saturday September 21; v Eastern Illinois – 5am, Monday September 23

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: @ Santa Clara – 12pm, Monday September 23

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: @ South Florida – 9am, Sunday September 22

UCLA (Rachel Lowe, Teagan Micah)

This week: v Pepperdine – 12:30pm, Friday September 20; @ Hawaii – 11:30am, Monday September 23

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: v George Washington – 9am, Friday September 20; v New Hampshire – 4am, Monday September 23

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: v UNC Asheville – 5:30am, Thursday September 19; v North Florida – 3am, Monday September 23

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: v South Dakota – 11am, Friday September 20

2019 Week 4 Preview

With Stanford and UCLA in the top 5 in the coaches’ poll, and Mississippi and Texas Tech receiving votes, there are plenty of Aussies playing for top teams at the moment in varying capacities. However, there are plenty of other places you can find Aussies performing well, including at Illinois, where Ashleigh Lefevre continues to cement her spot in the Fighting Illini’s starting eleven.

Stanford moved up to #2 in the coaches’ poll this week thanks to a combination of their own outstanding form and UCLA’s loss to Santa Clara, and Beattie Goad and her Cardinal teammates will be hoping to maintain that level as they head down the coast to face Pepperdine and UC Santa Barbara. Pepperdine are often a tough opponent, but have struggled to start the season, and Stanford are certainly not a team anyone wants to face when trying to break out of a bad run of form. UC Santa Barbara have had an interrupted start to the season, with a cancelled game against Montana meaning they have played just a single game since August 30, although that one game was a 3-0 win over Idaho. However, given her recent form, Goad will no doubt be champing at the bit to get herself involved in a few more goals against a pair of teams that Stanford really should have little trouble dispatching.

With three wins in their last four games, La Salle are hitting form at the right time, and with Claudia Jenkins playing superbly between the sticks, the Explorers will be confident heading into their last weekend of non-conference play. It won’t be easy though, facing a pair of opponents that are both playing well at this early stage. Delaware have won four of their six games to this point, and with the Fightin’ Blue Hens (yes, that is their nickname) having kept clean sheets in all four of those victories, goals will be at a premium at both ends. Meanwhile, Navy sit at 5-1 and have yet to concede more than a goal in any of their contests, also keeping four clean sheets. However, if Jenkins can reprise the same kind of form shown in her 10-save performance against Florida Gulf Coast, one goal may be enough to secure a result in each game for La Salle. That, fittingly, is where Alyssa Van Heurck comes into the conversation. The sophomore has been a regular starter in attack for the Explorers, and having played solid if unspectacular minutes in most contests to this point, a breakout performance could be just around the corner for the Western Australian, and this would be a perfect time to pull one out.

Illinois have had little trouble scoring goals, but despite their 4-1 record, are yet to record a clean sheet and have conceded multiple goals in all bar one game to this point. Regular starter, sophomore Ashleigh Lefevre and her teammates will have to make this the week that they start locking down oppositions, with the Fighting Illini facing a pair of high-scoring attacks this week in the form of Butler and Colorado College. Butler sit at 4-2 to this point, scoring at least two goals in all bar one of their games, which was a 2-1 loss to then #15 Wisconsin. Meanwhile, Colorado College have banged in 12 goals in moving to 4-0 to start their campaign, and whilst their schedule to this point hasn’t been the strongest, the Tigers have certainly proved their potency in front of goal. Having started three games this season but not played more than 59 minutes in any one game, if Lefevre is going to prove that she deserves to be a 90-minute player, now is the perfect time to show the kind of form that will merit a full-time spot in the lineup.

UCLA slipped to a 2-0 defeat last week against Santa Clara, and whilst Teagan Micah and the Bruins will be looking to make a quick return to form, Wisconsin will be no pushovers, with the Badgers sitting at #22 in this week’s coaches’ poll. With their only loss this season coming in overtime to the same Florida State side that UCLA defeated a couple of weeks ago, Wisconsin have compiled a solid 4-1-1 record to this point, and with this fixture their final non-conference game, the Big Ten side will be looking to enter conference play on a high note. However, UCLA had been riding a 17-game unbeaten streak coming into last week’s game, and a single loss doesn’t undo all that good work, nor does it detract from the fact that the Bruins are still one of a handful of national championship contenders. Wisconsin will also have to contend with the Pac-12’s record-holder for most Goalkeeper of the Week awards in Matildas squad member Micah, and with the Badgers scoring just seven goals in six games despite their solid record, just notching a goal against one of the nation’s top goalkeepers looks to be a stern test for Wisconsin. This may also be the week in which we see the return of Rachel Lowe to the lineup after tallying a few DNPs over the last couple of weeks, particularly if UCLA can jump out to an early lead, something they will be itching to do after last week’s profligacy in and around the area.

Texas Tech have reached the NCAA Tournament in six of the last seven seasons, if they continue in the same form that has seen the Red Raiders post a 5-1 record to this point, they could very easily make it seven in eight. This week, they travel to Pullman to face UC Irvine and Loyola Marymount on neutral ground at Washington State, a venue that has seen a couple of Aussies tear things up in recent years, including Tia Gavin and current Hawaii assistant coach Rachael Doyle. Whilst she won’t be pulling on a Cougars jersey, Demi Koulizakis will be hoping to have the same kind of success that Doyle had on the Palouse, particularly against a pair of teams that have combined for a single win this season. UC Irvine currently sit 1-5 and conceded three or more goals in three of those losses, including a 7-0 drubbing by Virginia, whilst Loyola Marymount gave up 5 goals to Pittsburgh in a thrilling 5-4 defeat and three more to then #7 Penn State in a 3-0 defeat, so there will certainly be opportunities for the senior to not only score goals, but tee up teammates this weekend.

Finally, we have potential for an Aussie v Aussie matchup this week as Sam Roff’s Fairleigh Dickinson side takes on a Hofstra roster featuring Grace Watson Carr and Monique Iannella. However, whilst Roff has been just about ever-present for the Knights, neither of Hofstra’s Aussies have been involved recently, meaning that whilst there may be three Aussies at the venue, only one may actually take to the pitch. However, this remains a crucial game for both teams, with Fairleigh Dickinson looking to shake a 1-2-3 start to hit form coming into the conference season and Hofstra attempting to build on a 3-3 start before attempting to assert their dominance on the CAA.

Full Schedule

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: @ Samford – 10am, Saturday September 14; @ Charleston Southern – 4am, Monday September 16

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: @ SIU-Edwardsville – 7am, Saturday September 14; @ Eastern Illinois – 4am, Monday September 16

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: v Radford – 9am, Saturday September 14; @ Winthrop – 9am, Monday September 16

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: @ Hofstra – 9am, Friday September 13; @ Binghamton – 3am, Monday September 16

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: @ UC Santa Barbara – 12pm, Saturday September 14; v North Dakota – 12pm, Monday September 16

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: v Fairleigh Dickinson – 9am, Friday September 13; v Columbia – 3am, Monday September 16

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: @ Butler – 7am, Friday September 13; v Colorado College – 4am, Monday September 16

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: v Delaware – 9am, Friday September 13; v Navy – 3am, Monday September 16

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: v Arizona State – 3am, Monday September 16

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: v High Point – 3am, Monday September 16

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: v Long Beach State – 7am, Friday September 13; v South Alabama – 4am, Monday September 16

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: @ Alcorn State – 7am, Saturday September 14; @ Southern – 4am, Monday September 16

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: @ Drake – 9am, Saturday September 14; @ Northern Iowa – 4am, Monday September 16

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: @ East Carolina – 9am, Friday September 13; v William & Mary – 8am, Monday September 16

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: v Holy Cross – 9am, Friday September 13; @ Boston University – 4am, Monday September 16

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: @ Arkansas State – 4am, Monday September 16

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: @ Pepperdine – 8am, Saturday September 14; @ UC Santa Barbara – 6am, Monday September 16

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: v Loyola Marymount – 9:30am, Saturday September 14; v UC Irvine – 3:30am, Monday September 16

UCLA (Teagan Micah)

This week: v Wisconsin – 11am, Sunday September 15

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: @ Lehigh – 8am, Saturday September 14; @ Longwood – 3am, Monday September 16

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: v High Point – 9am, Friday September 13; v Radford – 9am, Monday September 16

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: v Southern Utah – 8am, Saturday September 14; @ Montana – 5am, Monday September 16

2019 Week 3 Wrap

The stars kept shining this week as the season hit the 25% point, with Demi Koulizakis and Beattie Goad putting in impressive shifts. However, the undoubted top performer was Claudia Jenkins, whose career day led La Salle to victory on the road at Florida Gulf Coast.

(Image Credit: Greg Carroccio/Sideline Photos)

La Salle managed to secure a 2-1 win on the road at Florida Gulf Coast, and had Claudia Jenkins to thank following a massive performance between the sticks. After conceding early, Jenkins came up with a career-high 10 saves to keep her team in the game as a previously insipid Explorers offence turned up the wick after the hour mark, banging home two goals in the space of six minutes to secure the victory. The South Australian followed up that scintillating performance with a clean sheet against St. John’s in the second game of the week, with all three saves proving crucial as La Salle secured a 1-0 win to round out a perfect weekend. Fellow Australian, Alyssa Van Heurck started both games, tallying a shot in a 65-minute outing against Florida Gulf Coast and seeing 31 minutes of action in the win over St. John’s.

Stanford’s last two outings against San Francisco had resulted in 5-1 and 8-0 wins for the Cardinal, but Beattie Goad had yet to be involved in a single one of those 13 goals despite starting on both occasions. However, that all changed in the space of less than two minutes as the senior tallied an assist on the first of Catarina Macario’s three goals. Just 17 minutes later, Goad put Stanford up 3-0 with a goal of her own, latching onto a through ball before finishing a one-on-one opportunity. Stanford would roll to a 9-0 victory, taking their record to 5-0 with a combined scoreline of 26-3, and look set to move to #2 in the national coaches’ poll.

Senior Night is a time for celebrations, and Demi Koulizakis made sure they lasted beyond the pre-game ceremony for Texas Tech, tucking home a goal in the Red Raiders’ win over Abilene Christian. With her team already 2-0 up inside half an hour, Koulizakis found herself wide open in the area as teammate Kirsten Davis forced a turnover in the corner before hitting a neat low cross that the Sydneysider was able to sweep home off the inside of the post to all but lock up the win in the 28th minute as Texas Tech moved to 4-1, with Koulizakis finishing with a pair of shots in her 65 minutes on the pitch.

Teresa Morrissey continued her solid early season form as Rhode Island continue to put last year’s 0-17-1 record behind them. The freshman was unbeatable for 85 minutes against Pittsburgh, but a late header just snuck inside the post to force overtime as the teams played out a 1-1 draw. However, Sacred Heart were unable to beat the Victorian, with Morrissey making three saves as the Rams secured a 2-0 win, their first multi-goal game of the season following a pair of 1-0 wins and a 1-0 defeat coming into the weekend.

Eligibility issues had prevented Sophie Bui from making her debut for Alabama State, but with her clearance coming through during the week, the freshman finally hit the pitch in the Hornets’ outing against UAB. The freshman came off the bench to play 56 minutes, tallying two shots in the process. That performance was enough to earn a start and 45 minutes of playing time against Jacksonville State as Alabama State took an early 2-0 lead before falling to a 3-2 overtime defeat.

Finally, there was a moment to remember for Eliza Ammendolia and Eden Taylor-Wineera as Hawaii faced North Dakota State. Despite playing for teams based almost 4,000 miles apart, the pair of ex-Macarthur Rams faced off, with both players coming off the bench Ammendolia securing bragging rights as Hawaii came away with the 1-0 win. Both players would also have impressive ends to the week, with Ammendolia going on to secure her first career start in Hawaii’s 2-1 loss to North Dakota, whilst Taylor-Wineera’s 33 minutes against Chicago State represented more minutes than the freshman had played in her three previous appearances combined.

Eden Taylor-Wineera and Eliza Ammendolia

Player of the Year Points:

3: Claudia Jenkins (La Salle)
2: Beattie Goad (Stanford)
1: Demi Koulizakis (Texas Tech)

Complete Results

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: lost 5-0 to UAB; lost 3-2 to Jacksonville State (OT)

Sophie Bui made her college debut in the loss to UAB, coming off the bench to register a pair of shots in 56 minutes on the pitch. Bui was then rewarded with her first start against Jacksonville State, playing the first 45 minutes in the overtime defeat.

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: lost 6-0 North Dakota; lost 2-0 to North Dakota State

Sarah Clark came off the bench to play 51 minutes in Chicago State’s loss to North Dakota, before playing a complete game in the loss to North Dakota State.

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: lost 2-1 to Navy; defeated Delaware State 5-2

D’arne Boato did not feature for East Tennessee State in either game this week.

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: lost 1-0 to Monmouth; drew 1-1 with William & Mary

Sam Roff played two complete games for Fairleigh Dickinson this week, registering a single shot in the draw with William & Mary in the process.

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: lost 2-1 to Northern Colorado; lost 1-0 to Colorado State

Sandra Hill came off the bench for Grand Canyon in both games this week, seeing 13 minutes of action in the loss to Northern Colorado before registering a shot in 47 minutes of playing time against Colorado State.

Hawaii (Eliza Ammendolia, Kiri Dale)

This week: defeated North Dakota State 1-0; lost 2-1 to North Dakota (OT)

Kiri Dale came off the bench in both games this week, playing 28 minutes on each occasion and tallying two shots with one on target against North Dakota State. Eliza Ammendolia came off the bench to register two shots with one on target in 35 minutes against North Dakota State, before making her first college start in a 38 minute outing against North Dakota.

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: lost 4-1 to Rutgers; defeated Stony Brook 2-1 (OT)

Neither Grace Watson Carr nor Monique Iannella featured for Hofstra in either game this week.

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: defeated Illinois State 3-2

Ashleigh Lefevre started for Illinois in their win over Illinois State, playing 53 minutes.

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: defeated Florida Gulf Coast 2-1; defeated St. John’s 1-0

Claudia Jenkins was the saviour for La Salle in their win over Florida Gulf Coast, making a career-high 10 saves in the 2-1 win, before making 3 more against St. John’s to keep a clean sheet in the win. Alyssa Van Heurck started both games, tallying a shot on target in 65 minutes of action against Florida Gulf Coast and playing 31 minutes against St. John’s.

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: lost 1-0 to North Carolina; lost 6-0 to Duke

Caitlin Cantrill did not feature in LSU’s loss to North Carolina, but came off the bench to play 30 minutes in the Tigers’ loss to Duke.

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: lost 2-0 to Lipscomb; lost 3-2 to Vanderbilt (OT)

Laura Farrelly did not feature for Marshall in either game this week.

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: defeated Western Kentucky 1-0 (OT); defeated Murray State 5-4 (OT)

Aimee Medwin played brief cameos off the bench in both games this week, seeing 11 minutes of action against Western Kentucky and 5 minutes in the win over Murray State.

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: lost 2-1 to Prairie View A&M

Tessa Calabria and Kristy Helmers each started for Nicholls State in the loss to Prairie View A&M, playing 70 and 80 minutes respectively. Shauni Reid did not feature for the Colonels this week.

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: lost 1-0 to Hawaii; defeated Chicago State 2-0

Eden Taylor-Wineera came off the bench for North Dakota State in both games this week, playing 8 minutes against Hawaii and 33 minutes in the win over Chicago State.

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: defeated Longwood 2-1; defeated VCU 4-3

Gaby Bentley did not feature for Old Dominion in either game this week.

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: drew 1-1 with Pittsburgh; defeated Sacred Heart 2-0

Teresa Morrissey played all 110 minutes in the draw with Pittsburgh, making four saves before playing all 90 minutes and coming up with another three saves to keep a clean sheet in the win over Sacred Heart.

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: defeated Evansville 2-1

Siena Senatore did not feature for Southeast Missouri State in their win over Evansville.

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: defeated San Francisco 9-0

Beattie Goad started for Stanford in their rout of San Francisco, contributing a goal and an assist in her 55 minutes on the pitch.

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: defeated Abilene Christian 3-0; v Arkansas State – 4am, Monday September 9

Koulizakis – 2 shots, 2 on target, 1 goal, 65 minutes v ACU

UCLA (Rachel Lowe, Teagan Micah)

This week: lost 2-0 to Santa Clara

Teagan Micah played the full 90 minutes for UCLA, making 3 saves in the loss to Santa Clara. Rachel Lowe did not feature for the Bruins in their only game of the week.

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: lost 1-0 to Towson

Teal Kilbride played the first 45 minutes for UMBC in their loss to Towson, whilst Abi Jordan did not feature for the Retrievers.

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: defeated Davidson 1-0; lost 5-0 to Charlotte

Kate Swartwout finished with a single shot and a yellow card in a complete-game performance against Davidson, before starting and playing 24 minutes in the loss to Charlotte.

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: lost 2-0 to Baylor; defeated Idaho State 4-1

Indianna Asimus started both games this week, playing 78 minutes in the loss to Baylor before tallying a single shot in 49 minutes of action in the win over Idaho State.

2019 Week 3 Preview

With only a couple of weeks until conference play commences, it’s time for teams to start hitting their straps in non-conference action to prepare themselves for their league slate. Teagan Micah, Rachel Lowe, and UCLA will continue their high-level early schedule against Santa Clara, whilst Demi Koulizakis will hope that her Senior Night celebrations extend throughout the night as Texas Tech look to maintain their good form.

(Image Credit: Stanford Athletics)

Beattie Goad has put together a flying start to the season, and will attempt to keep things going in the same direction as Stanford take on a San Francisco side against whom they have had plenty of recent success. Having renewed their rivalry for the first time in a decade in 2017, Stanford have well and truly had the wood over the Dons, winning 8-0 in 2017 before following up with a 5-1 victory last season. Goad started both of those games, and tallied 4 shots in last year’s game, but did not actually have a hand in any of the 13 goals her team scored across those two games. However, this season is a different matter, with Goad having already contributed a goal and two assists in 2019 as the senior from Melbourne positions herself as an integral member of the Cardinal lineup.

Senior Night was once reserved for the final home game of a team’s season, but in recent years an increasing number of teams have moved the occasion to an earlier point in the season, and Demi Koulizakis will be celebrating her career prior to this weekend’s home game against in-state opponent Abilene Christian. Koulizakis’ form to start the season has been electric, and we could very well see the pre-game celebrations extend into the match itself, although the Wildcats could prove a tricky opponent after winning three of their first four matches. Nonetheless, the Red Raiders will be hot favourites even against an Abilene Christian side growing in confidence, and it would not be a surprise at all to see Koulizakis add a goal or assist to her season stats.

Teagan Micah broke the Pac-12 record with her eighth Goalkeeper of the Week award for her efforts against Florida State and Florida, and the senior will get another chance to test herself against high quality opposition as #2 UCLA travel north to the Bay Area to face a Santa Clara that has been free-flowing in attack but let down by its defence in falling to a 1-3 record at this early stage. Despite falling out of the Top 25 rankings, the Broncos still possess an attack that can pose the UCLA defence problems, having scored 9 goals in their first 4 games, putting 2 past #12 Duke in an overtime defeat last week. However, with Micah between the sticks, a UCLA back line that gives up very few shots on target in the first place can be confident that the ones that do slip through will be handled with ease on the majority of occasions. We may also see Rachel Lowe return to the pitch for the Bruins after being an unused substitute on both occasions last week, with the rotation likely to be slightly longer in this contest than it had been against the likes of defending national champions Florida State.

Rhode Island’s two wins in three games to open the season is already two more than the Rams picked up last week, and this week sees Teresa Morrissey’s side take on Pittsburgh in a battle of teams looking to make vast improvements on last season’s performance. Pittsburgh picked up just four wins in 2018, and whilst the Panthers may play in one of the toughest conferences in the nation in the ACC, that doesn’t guarantee success against mid-major schools. Rhode Island will fancy their chances in this one, with Pittsburgh’s leaky defence perhaps providing the Rams an opportunity to finally hit some decent scoring form, with all three of their matches finishing 1-0 one way or the other. However, they’ll still need to keep Pittsburgh at bay, and with Morrissey conceding just a single goal in her first three appearances, the freshman’s form could prove crucial in helping the Rams move to 3-1.

Siena Senatore has been ever-present for Southeast Missouri State in her return campaign after two seasons away from the game, and whilst last week’s games against SEC opponents Mississippi and Arkansas proved a tough occasion for the Redhawks’ defence, they get the chance to return to form against a pair of mid-majors this week. Heading on the road to face Evansville, Senatore and her teammates have a chance to rebound against a team that is yet to secure a win in a competitive fixture this year and scored just two goals in their three games to this point. Arkansas State will likely provide a sterner test than Evansville, with the Red Wolves having picked up wins over Kansas State and Central Arkansas in their opening two fixtures. However, both of these games are eminently winnable fixtures, and with Senatore shoring up the defence, the Redhawks can be confident that leaking goals won’t be an issue.

Finally, we have the chance to be treated to a pair of Aussie v Aussie matchups as Eden Taylor-Wineera and North Dakota State host Hawaii’s trio of Eliza Ammendolia, Kiri Dale, and assistant coach Rachael Doyle before Sarah Clark and Chicago State roll into town for a Sunday afternoon fixture. Taylor-Wineera has seen brief cameos off the bench in the last couple of games, whilst Ammendolia has been steadily forcing her way into the Hawaii lineup. Meanwhile, Clark tallied a trio of shots in Chicago State’s loss to Louisiana-Lafayette last week, leaving Aussie fans with plenty of players to watch as they build towards conference play.

Full Schedule

Alabama State (Sophie Bui)

This week: @ UAB – 10am, Friday September 6; v Jacksonville State – 4am, Monday September 9

Chicago State (Sarah Clark)

This week: @ North Dakota – 6am, Saturday September 7; @ North Dakota State – 4am, Monday September 9

East Tennessee State (D’arne Boato)

This week: @ Navy – 9am, Saturday September 7; @ Delaware State – 3am, Monday September 9

Fairleigh Dickinson (Sam Roff)

This week: v Monmouth – 9am, Saturday September 7; @ William & Mary – 3am, Monday September 9

Grand Canyon (Sandra Hill)

This week: v Northern Colorado – 12pm, Friday September 6; v Colorado State – 12pm, Monday September 9

Hawaii (Eliza Ammendolia, Kiri Dale)

This week: @ North Dakota State – 10am, Saturday September 7; @ North Dakota – 7am, Monday September 9

Hofstra (Monique Iannella, Grace Watson Carr)

This week: @ Rutgers – 9am, Friday September 6; @ Stony Brook – 3am, Monday September 9

Illinois (Ashleigh Lefevre)

This week: @ Illinois State – 9am, Monday September 9

La Salle (Claudia Jenkins, Alyssa Van Heurck)

This week: @ Florida Gulf Coast – 9am, Friday September 6; @ St. John’s – 3am, Monday September 9

LSU (Caitlin Cantrill)

This week: v North Carolina – 6:30am, Friday September 6; v Duke – 3:30am, Monday September 9

Marshall (Laura Farrelly)

This week: @ Lipscomb – 7:30am, Saturday September 7; @ Vanderbilt – 5:30am, Monday September 9

Mississippi (Aimee Medwin)

This week: @ Western Kentucky – 10am, Friday September 6; @ Murray State – 5am, Monday September 9

Nicholls State (Tessa Calabria, Kristy Helmers, Shauni Reid)

This week: @ Prairie View A&M – 4am, Monday September 9

North Dakota State (Eden Taylor-Wineera)

This week: v Hawaii – 10am, Saturday September 7; v Chicago State – 4am, Monday September 9

Old Dominion (Gaby Bentley)

This week: v Longwood – 9am, Friday September 6; @ VCU – 7am, Monday September 9

Rhode Island (Teresa Morrissey)

This week: @ Pittsburgh – 7am, Saturday September 7; v Sacred Heart – 3am, Monday September 9

Southeast Missouri State (Siena Senatore)

This week: @ Evansville – 10am, Saturday September 7

Stanford (Beattie Goad)

This week: @ San Francisco – 10am, Monday September 9

Texas Tech (Demi Koulizakis)

This week: v Abilene Christian – 10am, Saturday September 7; v Arkansas State – 4am, Monday September 9

UCLA (Rachel Lowe, Teagan Micah)

This week: @ Santa Clara – 12:30pm, Friday September 6

UMBC (Abi Jordan, Teal Kilbride)

This week: @ Towson – 6am, Friday September 6

Western Carolina (Kate Swartwout)

This week: @ Davidson – 9am, Friday September 6; @ Charlotte – 3am, Monday September 9

Wyoming (Indianna Asimus)

This week: v Baylor – 8am, Saturday September 7; v Idaho State – 5am, Monday September 9