Women's Soccer | August 16, 2023
PHILADELPHIA — The La Salle women's soccer team will begin its 2023 season on Thursday night when it hosts Towson at McCarthy Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
The game will be televised on ESPN+, with Corey Cohen delivering the play-by-play. In addition, Explorers fans can follow the team on X
@LaSalle_WSOC and Instagram
@lasalle_wsoc.
ABOUT THE EXPLORERS
- La Salle is looking to improve in 2023 after going 8-8-2 overall and 3-6-1 in Atlantic 10 play in 2022. The Explorers started hot last year, winning five of their first six games before only coming away with three victories in their final 12 games.
- The Explorers bring back four of their top five scorers from last year in junior Haley Gschrey, senior Alyssa Gargiulo, sophomore Ricshya Walker, and junior Courtney Butlion.
- Gschrey had the second-most points on the team a year ago after tallying 10 on four goals and two assists. Gschrey also led the team with three game-winning goals.
- Gargiulo totaled nine points in 2022 after also netting four goals and handing out one assist. All four of Gargiulo's goals came on penalty kicks.
- Walker was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team after scoring three goals and dishing out two assists for eight points during her freshman campaign. Walker also drew six penalty kicks.
- Butlion totaled five points on a pair of goals and one assist in her first season with the Explorers after transferring from the junior college level.
- Along with these four scorers, the Explorers return some experience in net in goalkeeper Michela Auguadro. The junior has started 26 of 28 games in her career, including 17 last season. Auguadro finished 2022 with 73 saves, four shutouts, and a .753 save percentage.
- The Explorers also have four other players — Giovanna Castorina, Emily Banashefski, Gabby Picco and Jillian Drumm — who started over 10 games last season.
- The Explorers are led by head coach Paul Royal, who enters his 21st season at the helm. Royal is one of the top coaches in the Atlantic 10, earning five trips to the NCAA Tournament during his tenure and has sent 16 players to the professional ranks.
- Royal comes into Wednesday's season opener eyeing his 200th career win after posting a 199-153-37 mark during his time at La Salle. A victory over Towson would make him the 83rd active Division I head coach to win 200 matches and only the 26th active D-I head coach to accomplish the feat while working at only one school in his or her entire career.
ABOUT THE TIGERS
- The Tigers return all 11 starters from their 2022 team that went 12-3-5 and reached the Colonial Athletic Association Tournament semifinals. Their 12 wins were the most in program history since 2011 and the second most in program history.
- Towson had the top defense in the CAA last year, allowing just 0.55 goals against with 11 shutouts. The Tigers' defense is headed by CAA Goalkeeper of the Year Riley Melendez.
- The Tigers are led by Katherine Vettori, who begins her sixth season leading the program.
