TEANECK, N.J. – The Fairleigh Dickinson women's soccer team will round out its five-game road trip this week when they open conference play against LIU and travel to West Virginia.

The Knights are set to open conference play on Wednesday at 4 p.m., against LIU in Brookville, N.Y. The Burgundy and Blue will then travel to Morgantown, W.Va., on Friday to face West Virginia at 7 p.m., in the final non-conference game of the regular season.

FDU currently owns a 1-4-3 record so far this season and has played in six straight matches that have been decided by one goal or less. The Knights have competed in three home, three away, and two neutral site games to help them prepare for conference action.

The Burgundy and Blue are led by senior Amanda Fitzgerald who was named NEC Defensive Player of the Week on September 10th. Fitzgerald posted a season-high eight saves in the Knights 2-1 defeat against Hofstra on Thursday night. The netminder continues to play aggressively and come out of the box to prevent opponents from creating shot opportunities. She has recorded 32 saves so far this season and has only conceived a goals against average of 1.23 per game.

The Knights offense has scored at least one goal in each of its past three games as they are starting to create better opportunities in the opponent's zone. The Burgundy and Blue average 1.38 goals and 14.0 shots per game. Sophomore Lea Egner leads the offense with six points after recording two goals and two assists. Egner also leads the team in shots attempted with 16 and splits corner kick opportunities with freshman Maja Skansberg. The sophomore netted a goal in the last contest she played on Thursday night against Hofstra.

Skansberg and junior Sofia Albertsson are tied for second on the team with four points apiece. Junior Alexiane Marquis netted her first career goal in the game against Binghamton which places her second on the team with three points. Seven other Knights have two points on the year.

On the defensive side of the pitch, the Knights have posted a goals allowed average of 1.50 per game. FDU's defense is led by senior Samantha Roff who is the only Knight to start in all eight of the teams games. Roff and fellow senior Julia Shea consistently keep the ball in front of them and play an aggressive style. The Knights have also seen growth from sophomores Paula Ruess and Christa Waterman, who have started every game they have appeared in. Junior Chloe Chefero and sophomore Noam Kedem have appeared in all eight games for the Knights defense.

FDU opens conference play against LIU. They were previously known as the LIU Brooklyn Blackbirds, but are now referred to as the LIU Sharks. The Burgundy and Blue were 9-12 all-time against the Blackbirds, but the Knights have won the past five meetings under head coach Eric Teepe. FDU won last year's matchup 2-0, and junior Viktorija Miseljic netted a goal. In last year's contest, Shea and fellow senior Stasi Torchia recorded assists while Fitzgerald posted a shutout. LIU is currently 1-5-1 this season with its victory coming against Seton Hall. The Sharks only two goals of the season have come from Tatiana Lizarraga and Grace Cagnina. Kayla De Treux has played well in net with a goals against average of 1.53 and has recorded a shutout.

The Knights then have a quick turnaround as they travel to West Virginia for a Friday night match. The Mountaineers and Knights have never met in the program's histories. West Virginia currently owns a record of 3-3-1 and have played down to the wire with three of the best teams in the country. The Mountaineer offense is led by Julianne Vallerand, who has netted five goals and dished out an assist for a team-high 11 points. Nicole Payne ranks second on the team with three goals. Rylee Foster has a goals against average of 1.71 in net so far this season.

Following the conclusion of the West Virginia game, the Knights will have over a week off before welcoming Merrimack to University Stadium on Sunday, September 29, with a start time of 12 p.m.