The Memorial Sea-Hawks (4-2-0) women's soccer team returns home for a weekend series at King George V Park versus the UNB Varsity Reds (1-3-2).
The Sea-Hawks currently find themselves tied for 2nd place in the AUS after splitting their last two weekends on the road. Commitment to the defensive side of the ball has been the teams calling card, they've conceded just 4 goals in their first 6 games. Goalkeepers Sydney Walsh and Olivia Kearley have been stout between the pipes, Walsh's 0.900 save percentage ranks 2nd in the AUS, while Kearley's 0.50 goals against average ranks her 2nd. The combination of the Sea-Hawks defensive mentality and solid play from the last line of defence makes them extremely tough to score on. Forward Holly O'Neill attributes the Sea-Hawks tremendous defensive results to the team's overall commitment to defence "This is a full team contribution which starts from the defensive duties of the strikers all the way back to the keeper" said O'Neil. The Sea-Hawks offence is led by Claire Langille (3G), Katie Joyce (2G, 2A), Holly O'Neil (2G), and Zoe Rowe (2G, 1A), they boast one of the more balanced attacks in the AUS with 4 players with 2+ goals, which ranks 2nd to only the Cape Breton Capers who have 5 players past that mark. Sea-Hawks forward Zoe Rowe says "we aim to use our fast tempo and quick ball speed up top to our advantage" maintaining that gameplan will be key if the home team wants to walk away with their desired result.
Traveling to St. Johns for this weekend series is the 7th ranked UNB Varsity Reds who will look to get back in the win column as the hit they head east. The Varsity Reds are led by their duo of forwards Madison Goertz and Jillian Larose, both have been leaders on the offensive end. Goertz (1G, 2A) has a team leading 3 points while Larose (2G) leads the team with a pair of goals. The Varsity Reds have had trouble putting the ball in the back of the net, their 4 goals scored this season ranks 2nd last in the AUS, watch for Goertz and Larose to play a big role this weekend. Varsity Reds goalkeeper Brynn Nash has played all 540 minutes this season so expect the steady keeper to appear in both games this weekend, Nash carries a 0.744 save percentage and 1.67 goals against average with 2 clean sheets through 6 games.
The weekend series will take place on Saturday, October 2nd at 1:00 PM ADT, and Sunday, October 3rd once again at 1:00 PM ADT.