Zags Welcome LMU, Pepperdine in Important Homestand
10/22/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
SPOKANE, Wash.—After a weekend to rest and recharge, the Gonzaga University women's soccer team will continue the tough slate of West Coast Conference matches this weekend, hosting Loyola Marymount and No. 11 Pepperdine at Luger Field.
"We are facing two quality opponents this weekend, and Pepperdine is having a tremendous year," said Gonzaga head coach Amy Edwards. "It's exciting to be at home and we look forward to the challenges ahead."
During the four conference matches, the Zags have shown remarkable consistency in defense. All four members of the backline have played every single minute of conference action, forming the core of a defense that has kept two clean sheets in the last three matches. That defensive line consists of three seniors—Katey Pennington, Cricket Harbor, and Jordan Travis—and sophomore Sarah Carter and has helped the Zag defense tie for third in goals allowed, both overall and in conference play.
Gonzaga will begin its home weekend on Friday, Oct. 24, by hosting Loyola Marymount at 3:00 p.m. The Lions are 8-5-2 overall but enter the weekend with a 1-3-1 record in conference play, most recently losing 3-0 at home to BYU. Shannon Kent leads the team with five goals, but Morgan Hilby is the squad's points leader with 12, four goals and four assists. Sophia Leksan has played every second in goal for the Lions, making 59 saves while allowing 18 goals for a 1.14 goals-against average.
On Sunday, Oct. 26, the Zags will host Pepperdine, the No. 11 team in the nation according to the NSCAA. The Waves are 12-2-2 overall and 3-1-1 in WCC action, most recently suffering a rare home loss to San Diego. Lynn Williams leads the team and is second in the conference with 10 goals, and she's added four assists for 24 total points. Hannah Seabert has started every match in goal for the Waves, stopping 48 shots and allowing 10 goals.
The match against the Waves will be the Zags' annual Pink at the Pitch game for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Any fan who shows up to Luger Field wearing pink on Saturday will receive $2 admission and the first 75 students will receive pink water bottles. Additionally, pink ribbons will be available for all attendees at the marketing table near the entrance. The Pink at the Pitch game will begin at 1:00 p.m. Sunday.
Links to live stats for both matches may be found on the women's soccer schedule page of www.GoZags.com, and both matches will also be broadcast live on theW.tv.
