HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team will continue nonconference action this weekend. The Knights will host Delaware State on Friday, Aug. 31 in the first night game of the season before playing at Rider on Sunday, Sept. 2.
Kickoff at University Stadium in Teaneck, N.J. is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday evening, while the matchup with Rider is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Ben Cohen Field in Lawrenceville, N.J.
The Knights are 0-1-3 on the year and will be looking to earn their first win of the season. The team saw three double overtime games in its first four contests, with two in last weekend's competition. The team fought Hartford to a 1-1 tie on the road before playing to a 0-0 draw against Air Force in the home opener.
Freshmen Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) and Esther Rochon (Saint Romuald, Quebec/College Francois-Xavier-Garneau) have led the Knights' offense with one goal each. Classmate Amanda Goulet (Quebec City, Quebec/Shattuck-St. Mary's ) recorded the assist on both goals.
Junior Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill) has started in goal in each of the teams' three games. She recorded her first shutout of the season against Air Force and has maintained a goals against average of 1.35.
The Hornets of Delaware State are 0-1 on the season with a 2-0 loss to Manhattan. In 2011 the Hornets finished with an overall record of 2-15-2. Under new Interim Head Coach, Peter Hulem, Del State was picked to finish sixth among the Great West Conference.
Jeanette Salgado led the team in 2011 with three goals and one assist, while Katelyn Koslosky recorded a .807 save percentage through 17 games in the net.
Friday's matchup will be the first meeting of the Knights and the Hornets.
The Broncs of Rider are 3-0 on the year with wins against NJIT, Howard and NEC opponent, Mount St. Mary's. Rider has outscored opponents, 4-0, while outshooting them, 57-30.
Freshman Tara Ballay leads the team with two goals, while upperclassmen Jody Sokol and Kaitlin Wylie each have notched one goal.
Senior Jenn Nichols has made 15 saves, while producing shutouts in each of the first three contests.
The Broncs were picked to finish eighth in the 10-team Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in 2012 after finishing the 2011 season with a record of 9-6-4.
The Knights battled Rider to a 0-0 tie after two overtime periods in the season opener of 2011. Overall, FDU is 1-2-1 against Rider, dating back to 2000.
Both games will feature live statistics and a video stream. Visit NECFrontRow.com for free access to Friday's game and MAAC.TV for a pay per view subscription of the Rider match.
