Women's Soccer | February 12, 2021
PHILADELPHIA – The La Salle women's soccer team begins the spring 2021 season on Saturday when it hosts Villanova at 2 p.m. at McCarthy Stadium. The match will stream nationally on ESPN+ and internationally through the Atlantic 10.
Per City of Philadelphia restrictions, no fans will be allowed to attend home games at McCarthy Stadium as of now. If City guidelines change, an announcement will be posted on GoExplorers.com and La Salle women's soccer social media accounts.
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS:
- La Salle welcomes back 20 letterwinners from a season ago and seven newcomers.
- Head coach Paul Royal enters his 18th year at the helm of the program.
- The Explorers return 55% of their points from last season, led by senior Amirah Louketis. She tallied five goals and two assists in the 2019 campaign.
- The Blue & Gold will also see its leader in assists, sophomore Leah Giles, on the pitch alongside classmate and All-Rookie Team selection, Danielle Rooney.
- On the defensive side, the Explorers will have most of its back line rotation intact with Giles, sophomore Naya Vialva, senior Ashley Pyne, and senior Jenna Soriano.
- La Salle will be without its starting keeper from a season ago, senior Claudia Jenkins, who opted out for the season. The Explorers will have junior Jillian DeSantis and sophomore Jordynn Stallard available in net.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS:
- Saturday's game will also be the season opener for Villanova.
- The Wildcats return their top scorer from a season ago in junior Brice McInroy. She registered 20 points on nine goals and two assists to land herself on the Preseason All-BIG EAST Team.
- Nova will also have its number two and three scorers from the 2019 campaign – Chloe O'Neill (15 pts – 4 goals, 7 assists) and Sam Rosette (11 pts – 4 goals, 3 assists).
- Villanova will have a new face in net this season with either Gabby Isola, Maria Thomas, or Oklahoma transfer Megan McClay.
- The squad was selected second in the BIG EAST East Division in the preseason poll.
