Marshall University Athletics
@HerdWSoccer Set for Exhibition Weekend
8/11/2016 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. -- Marshall women's soccer will kick off its 2016 preseason by hosting the Dayton Flyers at Veterans Memorial Soccer Complex on Friday at 5 p.m. The Herd then travels to Ball State on Sunday at 2 p.m.
HAVE YOU HERD?
Marshall is coming off a historical 2015 campaign, in which the team made its first appearance in the Conference USA Championship game. The second-seeded Herd defeated Louisiana Tech and Old Dominion before falling to North Texas. Marshall returns Sydney Arnold, Ashley Seltzer, Jordan Parkhurst, Jayne Lawman, Katie Suchodolski, Mack Moore and Kayla Byrnside from last year's team who scored at least one goal.
Arnold was named to the 2016 preseason All-Conference USA team. Last season, Arnold led the Herd in points (23) with nine goals and five assists, good for fourth place in Marshall history. The Stafford, Va., native was named C-USA Offensive Player of the Week twice, and her nine goals tied for second place all-time for the program. She had four game-winners a year ago and three multi-goal matches.
The Herd welcomed 11 freshman to the roster this season - defender Metz Gonzalez, forward Jordan Sackaris, midfielder Chloe Smith, defender Ally Kimbler, forward Rebekah Cook, forward Alyssa Totzke, midfielder Marah Abu-Tayeh, midfielder Karen Rogge, midfielder Karen Rogge, midfielder Gabby Powers, defender Farah Abu-Tayeh and goalkeeper Megan Bonelli.
SCOUTING THE FLYERS
Dayton enters Friday's contest returning nine starters and 20 letterwinners from last year's squad that went 10-9-1 (8-2 Atlantic 10). The Flyers have seven newcomers.
Junior forward Alexis Kiehl and redshirt junior midfielder Libby Leedom highlight the returners for the Flyers. Kiehel was a first team All-Atlantic 10 selection with eight goals and five assists, while Leedom was selected to the All-A-10 second team with three goals and two assists.
SCOUTING THE CARDINALS
Last year, Ball State had an overall record 14-3-3, while held a 10-1 Mid-American Conference record. The Cardinals fell in the quarterfinals of the MAC Championship to Akron. Ball State returns five players from last year's team that scored a goal.
The Cardinals return their goalkeeper Alyssa Heintschel who started all 20 games last season with seven shutouts. Heintschel allowed 13 goals and recorded 47 saves for a 0.63 goals against average.
#STAMPEDE16
Keep up with the latest news about Herd soccer by liking the team's official Facebook page: Marshall University Soccer. For live in-match updates and news, follow @HerdWSoccer on Twitter.
UP NEXT
The Thundering Herd opens the regular season on the road at Purdue on Friday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. Marshall closes the weekend out at Michigan on Sunday at 2 p.m.
