The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team will open the 2012 season this weekend with two road contests against Metro Atlantic Athletic opponents. The Knights will travel to New Rochelle, NY to face Iona, Friday, August 17 before taking on Garden State opponent Saint Peter's College, Sunday, August 19 in Jersey City, NJ.
The Knights were picked to finish 10th in the Northeast Conference preseason coaches' poll after finishing the 2011 season with a 4-12-1 record. The team returns just six upperclassmen with 14 new additions to the roster.
“We've been preparing for this day for almost nine months now,” said interim Head Coach Marco Masucci. “I know that our players are tactically and physically prepared for what's ahead. They just need to get the nerves out of the way early on. One of the keys to success this season is our freshmen need to grow up very quickly because they have such a vital role in our squad.”
The Gaels of Iona finished the 2011 season with a 5-10-4 mark and a fifth place finish in the MAAC. They were outscored by opponents 16-30, and recorded 0.84 goals per game, while taking 224 shots in 19 games. This season, they were selected sixth in the MAAC preseason coaches' poll.
“Friday's game against Iona will be a great test for our very young team,” said Masucci. “Iona has gotten better, just like we have, so it will most definitely be a hard fought match.”
Melissa Frederick led the the Gaels with four goals as a freshman last season, while junior Trista Rivera led the Iona defense with a .767 save percentage through 17 games in goal.
Second year head coach Mike Barroqueiro and the Gaels claimed a 1-0 win at Sacred Heart and a 2-1 overtime win over Lafayette in exhibition play during the 2012 preseason schedule.
Kickoff at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle is slated for 4:00 pm. It will be the first meeting between the Knights and the Gaels in the 12-year history of FDU Women's Soccer.
The Knights will travel to Jersey City for a 1:00 pm kickoff at Jaroschak Field.
“Sunday's game against Saint Peter's will be a difficult one because this is the first weekend of the season and the players will have to get used to the short recovery time that Saturday offers,” said Masucci. “They gave us a good game last season and I expect nothing less from them this year.”
Saint Peter's finished the 2011 season with a 3-15-1 record, which included a 1-0 loss to FDU at University Field. The Peahens finished ninth in the MAAC after being outscored 12-33 in 19 games.
Emily Fenice led the Saint Peter's offense with four goals, while Caitlin Hoffer played every game in goal. Hoffer maintained a .807 save percentage with 138 games and a 1.69 goals against average.
Sunday's match will be both teams' second contest of the season as Saint Peter's hosts NJIT on Friday. The Knights are 4-1-0 all time against Saint Peter's dating back to 2000.
The Knights will conclude a three-game road trip on Friday, August 24 with a 6:00 pm game at Hartford before hosting Air Force on Sunday, August 26.
“Kicking off the season with three away games is never an easy task,” Masucci said. “I feel that as a group, we're aware that there will be many obstacles to overcome this season so why not attack them head on? I'm proud of the work that the girls have put into our preseason preparation and I know that they won't give anything less than their best this weekend.”
