Women's Soccer | August 18, 2017

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle women's soccer team opens the 2017 campaign on Friday night at McCarthy Stadium as they host the St. John's Red Storm at 5 PM. The match was moved from 7 PM due to inclement weather in the forecast.

The Explorers are anxious to return to the Atlantic 10 Tournament and capitalize on a new format that features the opening round being played on the campus of the higher seeds.

"In simple terms, we want to host one of the Quarterfinal A-10 Tournament games here," said head coach Paul Royal. "It's going to be a very difficult place to come and win, we've had great success here."

The Explorers will look to their defense to be a strength this season as they return back line starters Paige McDowell, Katherine Hennessey, Taylor Newhart and last year's starting goalkeeper Larisa Zambelli. McDowell was named A-10 Preseason All-Conference earlier this week.

"Our back line looks as good as it ever has," added Royal. "I'm anticipating us being one of the best defensive teams in the country…I have a great feeling about this group."

La Salle will also rely on experience in the midfield like returning starters Danielle Marx and Jess Shanahan. Marx finished the year second in the A-10 with seven assists in league play and tallied 13 points on the season while Shanahan started 13 games as a true freshman.  

The Blue and Gold also have proven goal scorers in senior Kristen Haugstad and junior Maci Bower.  Haugstad has eight career goals and was fifth in the A-10 with six assists last season while Maci Bower was tied for the team-lead in goals last season with five.

La Salle will also look for contributions from a collection of newcomers, including six freshmen and 2016 Junior College Scholar Player of the Year Jesse Bareilles.

"This freshmen group is a real special group of girls," said Zambelli. "They have fire in their eyes…they're ready to play, they're ready to get out there."

Friday night will mark the first game played on the newly resurfaced McCarthy Stadium, which now features state-of-the-art SPRINTURF.