Women's Soccer | October 20, 2018

PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle University women's soccer team (8-7-1, 3-6) will finish its 2018 season on Sunday when it travels to take on VCU (13-3, 8-1 A-10). First touch is slated for 1 p.m. with the game being broadcast on ESPN+.
 
SCOUTING LA SALLE:
Player of the Week Honors
For the first time in her career, sophomore Molly O'Brien earned A-10 Offensive Player of the Week honors. During the week of October 1, O'Brien led the Explorers with 10 points on four goals and two assists as the team downed St. Bonaventure, 3-0, and Rhode Island, 4-1.
 
Passes on Point
This season, junior Jess Shanahan is pacing the Explorers with six assists. The Mullica Hill, N.J. native had a career high two assists in the Explorers win against St. Bonaventure and has already eclipsed her season high, doubling her total from a season ago. She is currently tied for fourth in the conference.
 
Game-Winning Expertise
Of the Explorers eight wins, redshirt-senior Madison Bower has five of the team's game-winning goals. Bower currently sits tied for sixth in the nation for game-winning goals.
 
Smarty Pants
For the 16th consecutive year, the Explorers earned the United Soccer Coaches Team Academic Award for posting a team GPA above a 3.0. La Salle earned a GPA of 3.3 in this year's cycle.
 
National Attention
The Explorers have been ranked in the United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll during the first six weeks of the season, including two weeks where they've been receiving votes for the top 25 poll.
 
Welcome, Molly!
Sophomore Molly O'Brien transferred to La Salle this season from Loyola (Md.) and has certainly made her presence felt. The Media, Pa. native has played in 15 games this season, making 12 starts. O'Brien currently sits second on the team in scoring with 19 points on seven goals and five assists. The sophomore scored a career high five points with two goals and an assist in La Salle's win over St. Bonaventure and Rhode Island.
 
Freshman Sensation
Freshman Camaren Cox has made her mark during her first season in blue and gold. The Atlantic Highlands, N.J. native is currently fourth on the team in scoring with seven points. On the year, Cox has three goals and an assist, playing in all 16 games.
 
New Goalie, No Problem
In her first season as the starting keeper, sophomore Claudia Jenkins has been nearly perfect. Starting all 16 games, she posts five shutouts with 78 saves, a goals against average of 1.08, and a save percentage of .813. Jenkins sits in the top six in the A-10 in all of those categories, including second in save percentage.
 
Bower Power
To no surprise, Madison Bower is one of the top players in the A-10. Currently, she sits tied for third in goals (9), tied for fourth in points (21), and is tied for first in game-winning goals.
 
LAST TIME OUT – L, 0-1 vs. George Mason:

• The first half was a complete defensive match, seeing just one shot on goal collectively.
• Things heated up in the second half with both teams creating more offensive opportunities. Sophomore keeper Claudia Jenkins made multiple diving saves to keep the Explorers in the game as long as she could.
• During the 84th minute, the Patriots were able to squeak one past Jenkins to claim the victory.

SCOUTING VCU:

• The Rams enter Sunday's game with a record of 13-3, 8-1 A-10. VCU has won nine of its last 10 games.
• VCU has four different players in double digit point figures on the season, led by Samantha Jerabek with 26. Jerabek has scored 10 goals, adding six assists to lead the team in both categories.
• In net, Audrey Sanderson has started all 16 games on the season. On the year, Sanderson has made 48 saves with a save percentage of .787. She also has seven shutouts and a goals against average of .80.