HACKENSACK, N.J. -- The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team will begin Northeast Conference action this weekend with contests against two Connecticut-based teams. The Knights will travel to Hamden, Conn. to take on Quinnipiac at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 21 before hosting Sacred Heart at University Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 23.
The Knights finished nonconference play with a record of 3-3-3, most recently defeating NJIT, 3-1 and falling to Binghamton, 1-0. Freshman Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) leads the team with five goals and one assist on the season, while upperclassman Lindzy Williams (Washington Township, N.J./Westwood) has added two goals. Amanda Goulet (Quebec City, Quebec/Shattuck-St. Mary's ) and Julie Woolridge (St. John's, Newfoundland/Bishops College) have each added one goal and two assists to the Knights' offensive attack this season.
The team has outscored opponents, 12-8 in nine games and has held a 104-80 advantage in shots. The Knights average 11.6 shots per game, while holding their competition to just 8.9 per game.
Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill) has been a mainstay in the net for the Knights, with a goal against average of 0.83 and a save percentage of .778. The junior has played every minute of the season, including three overtime games so far.
Quinnipiac enters conference play with a 4-2-1 mark on the season. The Bobcats are currently riding a two-game losing streak with losses to Harvard and Siena and have recorded one-goal games on five occasions, including each of their wins.
QU has stayed even with opponents, scoring five goals and allowing five goals but has averaged 8.3 shots per game, while allowing 9.4 shots per game.
In his 14th year as head coach of the Bobcats, Dave Clarke's roster includes seven freshmen and nine seniors. The squad was picked to finish sixth in the NEC this season.
Senior Kemesha Woodfine leads the team with two goals on the season, while three others have found the back of the net. Senior Jillian Kelly leads the defense with a 0.69 goals against average and a .833 save percentage. The goal keeper has been named NEC Defensive Player of the Week on two occasions.
The Knights are 3-8-1 all time against the Bobcats dating back to 2000.
The Pioneers of Sacred Heart are 3-6 on the year with a loss at Brown most recently. They have been outscored 17-9 and outshot 111-100 through nine games.
SHU averaged 1.0 goals per game, while taking 12.5 shots per game and allowing opponents to take 13.9 shots per game.
Senior Jen Mulvey leads the team with four goals on the year, while classmate Ashley Moore has two goals. Kristen Verrette leads the squad with three assists.
Senior Sydney Judkins and sophomore Talia Schwartz split time in the net for Sacred Heart. Judkins maintains a 1.25 goals against average of a .762 save percentage, while Schwartz has allowed 2.25 goals per game with a .710 save percentage.
Under seventh-year head coach, Kim Banner, the Pioneers were picked to finish fourth in the NEC preseason coaches' poll.
The Knights are 6-5-1 all time against the Pioneers.
Sunday's home contest will be shown live on NECFrontRow.com.
