Weekly Notes

PHILADELPHIA - After a clean sweep through the non-conference schedule, the women's soccer team turns its sights towards the Atlantic 10 and will open conference play this weekend when a pair of city rivals visit McCarthy Stadium. 

"It's exciting to look back on what we've accomplished so far this season," said head coach Paul Royal. "But at the same time we can't get complacent because the most important part of our schedule still lies ahead."

The Explorers (8-0-1) will begin the weekend on Friday night against Temple with a 7 p.m. opening kick at McCarthy Stadium.  That will be followed by a Sunday afternoon matchup against Saint Joseph's.  Both games will have live stats and live video available on GoExploers.com.

La Salle holds a slim edge in the all-time series against the Owls with a 9-8-1 overall record.  The Explorers also lead the all-time series against the Hawks with a mark of 10-8-1.  

Freshman Kelsey Haycook leads La Salle and is among the leaders in the Atlantic 10 with six goals thus far in 2011.  Senior Jess Hopton has proved to be a reliable contirbutor on the attack from her back line postiion and is second in the league with five assists. 

Perhaps the most impressive performance from La Salle this season has come from the defense, as the team continues its remarkable streak of nine straight shutouts to begin the season.  The Explorers are the only team in Division I that has yet to allow a goal in 2011. 

Senior keeper Melissa Sanger was awarded Atlantic 10 Player of the Week honors for the second straight week on Monday and continues to anchor La Salle's back line.  Sanger needed just seven saves last week to preserve three shutouts, a testament to how good the defense has been with such low shot totals against. 

Game Capsules:

Temple at La Salle
Friday, Septmeber 30 | 7 p.m.
McCarthy Stadium
Live Stats | Live Video

Saint Joseph's at La Salle
Sunday, October 2 | 1 p.m.
McCarthy Stadium
Live Stats | Live Video