MOUNT ST. MARY'S (1-10, 0-0 NEC) vs. FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON (7-3, 0-0 NEC)
Friday, Oct. 3 | 7 p.m.
Emmitsburg, Md. | Waldron Family Stadium
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MOUNT UPDATE: Following a 1-10 non-conference schedule, the Mountaineers embark on Northeast Conference play looking to position themselves for a spot in the four-team NEC Tournament in November. Including Friday's match versus Fairleigh Dickinson, the Mount has four regular season home games remaining. Friday's game is the final night game under the lights at Waldron Family Stadium for the Mountaineers' regular season slate.
LAST TIME OUT: Perennial Patriot League power Navy handed the Mount a 3-0 loss on Monday, Sept. 22, in Annapolis. In goal for the Mount, Rachel Bourne recorded five saves, and Vicky Cocozza was credited with six saves on the night.
ABOUT FDU: The Knights accumulated a Northeast Conference-best seven wins in non-conference play, highlighted by victories over Northwestern, Rider and Hartford. FDU's high-powered offense has outscored opponents by a 25-12 margin through 10 games. Rachel Hoekstra (eight goals), Connie Lewis (five goals) and Carly Tice (four goals) rank No. 2-4 in the NEC in goals this season.
LAST TIME VS. FDU: The Mount suffered a 3-2 road loss at FDU last fall to open Northeast Conference play. Then-senior Jackie Corley provided the Mount's offense with a pair of goals, but FDU netted one first-half goal and two in the second half for the win. Ragan Cote and Keriann McGettigan tallied assists for the Mount, while Rachel Bourne and Vicky Cocozza combined for eight saves. For FDU, Connie Lewis, Esther Rochon and Kasey Schiavoni scored goals.
ALL-TIME SERIES VS. FDU: The Mount's all-time record versus Fairleigh Dickinson is 5-8-1 dating back to the first-ever meeting in 2000. In the last five meetings, the Mount holds a 3-2 record against the Knights. In games played in Emmitsburg, the series is tied at 3-3-1.
NEC PRESEASON POLL: In the annual Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, Mount St. Mary's was selected to finish ninth. Reigning NEC Champion Saint Francis University was tabbed to repeat this season, while LIU Brooklyn, Central Connecticut State, Fairleigh Dickinson and Wagner rounded out the top five in the poll. Sacred Heart was selected sixth by the coaches, followed by Bryant, Robert Morris and the Mount.
NEC PLAYOFFS: Under the current format, four of the nine schools competing in the Northeast Conference will qualify for the conference tournament scheduled for Nov. 7 and Nov. 9. The Mount has made the NEC Tournament three times (1995, 1996 and 1997).
FINDING HER STRIDE: Junior Emma Blair is tied for fifth in the Northeast Conference with three goals on the season. The midfielder from the Reading, Pa. area scored her first goal of the year against Bucknell on Sept. 9 before netting a pair in a 3-1 win over Howard on Sept. 19.
UP NEXT: The Mount heads to the New York metropolitan area for a pair of Northeast Conference showdowns. On Oct. 12, the Mount will square off with Wagner at 7 p.m. in Staten Island before heading to Brooklyn to take on LIU Brooklyn on Oct. 12 at noon.
