MOUNT ST. MARY'S vs. LOYOLA
Friday, August 19, 2016 | 5 p.m.
Emmitsburg, Md. | Waldron Family Stadium
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Mount St. Mary's University women's soccer opens its 25th season in program history on Friday (Aug. 19) with a matchup against in-state rival Loyola (Md.) at 5 p.m. at Waldron Family Stadium.
ABOUT THE MOUNT
The Mountaineers, coming off a 3-14-2 overall record and 2-4-2 mark in NEC play a year ago, enter their first season under Head Coach Joe Nemzer in 2016. Nemzer, who spent the past three seasons as assistant coach, director of external relations and goalkeeper coach at Central Michigan, rounded out his staff with assistant coaches KristaLee Mellott and Paige Preston, along with director of soccer operations, Sean O'Brien.
Mount St. Mary's returns many key players from its 2015 squad, including five of its top seven scorers. NEC All-Rookie Team selection Jenna West, and fellow classmate Nikki Pinto each enter their sophomore season after tying for the team lead in both points (8) and goals (3) last year. Two other key offensive weapons, Lauren Bogardus and Gianna Pomykacz, also come back for their sophomore campaigns, and junior Kristen Morawski returns looking to anchor the Mount's defensive unit this season.
NEWCOMERS
Nemzer bolstered the 2016 squad with the addition of nine newcomers, including transfers Maddy Bunnell (Central Michigan), Chloe Cain (Chicago State) and Noelle DeFede (Wagner), who combined to play in 43 games during their collegiate careers. Freshmen Jaylyn Chandler, Kristin Isoldi, Tenia Jordan, Carter Merrigan, Andrea Rodriguez and Sydni Surowiec enter their rookie campaigns with the Mountaineers in 2016.
PRESEASON POLL
The Mountaineers were picked to finish ninth in the Northeast Conference Preseason Coaches Poll, which was released by the league office on Monday. Last season's conference champions, Fairleigh Dickinson, took the top spot in the poll, while Central Connecticut and Robert Morris claimed second and third, respectively. Saint Francis U, Bryant, Sacred Heart, Wagner, LIU Brooklyn and the Mount rounded out the poll.
SCOUTING LOYOLA
The Greyhounds return 19 players from last year's squad that finished 6-10-2 overall and 4-4-1 Patriot League play. Loyola was picked to finish fifth in the Patriot League Preseason Coaches Poll, and senior defender Nicole Wahlig was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team. Wahlig has started all 54 games in her career, including 18 last season when she tallied six points on two goals and a pair of assists.
THE MATCHUP
The meeting on Friday marks the ninth all-time matchup between the Mount and Loyola. The Greyhounds own an 8-0 advantage in the series, with the last meeting between the two programs coming in 2014 as Loyola posted a 2-0 victory.
UP NEXT
The Mountaineers continue their home stand with a match against Howard on Friday, August 26 at 7 p.m. at Waldron Family Stadium.
