TEANECK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson University women's soccer team is set to begin the 2013 season with a home match against Iona on Friday, Aug. 23. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at University Stadium.
With nine starters returning, the Knights will enter the 2013 season with a strong offensive presence. The 2013 roster was responsible for 86 percent of shots taken in 2012 and 95 percent of goals scored last season. The 2012 Knights finished the season with a record of 5-11-3, while scoring more goals than any team since 2008 and holding opponents to the fewest goals in program history.
Captains Amanda Goulet (Quebec City, Quebec/Shattuck-St. Mary's ) and Katey Arathoon (Pickering, Ontario/St. Mary's ) will look to lead the team in 2013. Goulet returns as a second team All-Northeast Conference honoree, while Arathoon led the midfield in each of the Knights' 19 contests last season. Goulet finished the season with two goals and two assists, while NEC Rookie of the Year Rachel Hoekstra (Bowmanville, Ontario/Clarington Central ) led the squad with nine goals and two assists.
Defensively, the Knights' backline held opponents to just 20 goals last season and only 89 shots on goal. Although the Knights were outscored, 19-20, through 19 games, FDU outshot its opponents 198-185. Senior Sage DoVale (Lilburn, Ga./Collins Hill) recorded a save percentage of .750 through 14 games before an injury halted her season. Rookie Felicia Burr (Bellingham, Mass./Blackstone-Millville ) finished the season with a save percentage of .840 and just four goals allowed in six games.
In last year's season opener, the Knights and Gaels battled to a 1-1 tie. While trailing 1-0, then freshman Esther Rochon (Saint Romuald, Quebec/College Francois-Xavier-Garneau) tallied her first collegiate goal in New Rochelle, N.Y. in the 58th minute. The goal was assisted by Goulet, who placed the ball near Rochon on a corner kick. DoVale made four saves in the opener.
The Gaels went on to finish the 2012 campaign with a record of 7-9-3. Juniors Samantha Fiorenzo and Melissa Frederick led Iona last season with a combined seven goals. Fiorenzo scored four and added an assist as the team's top point scorer. The Gaels totaled 15 goals in 19 games and were outscored by opponents 25-15 on the year.
On defense, the Gaels held opponents to 112 shots on goal. Senior goalkeeper Trista Rivera played all 19 contests between the pipes for Iona and maintained a save percentage of .775.
Friday's contest will be the second meeting between the Knights and Gaels in program history. Following the season opener, FDU will travel to Stony Brook, N.Y. to face the Seawolves. Kickoff on Sunday, Aug. 25 is slated for 2 p.m.
Due to the ongoing contruction of new bleachers at University Stadium, fans are encouraged to bring their own seating and to sit on the south end of the complex.
