George Washington University

Aug. 18, 2011

GAMETRACKER | WATCH LIVE ON GW ALL-ACCESS

WASHINGTON- The George Washington women's soccer program opens up the 2011 season Friday when the Colonials host cross-town rival No. 23 Georgetown at the newly resurfaced Mount Vernon Field. The match marks the third straight year and fifth time in the past six seasons the two teams will meet.

GW is looking to revamp its squad after a 9-9 finish last season in which the Colonials posted a seven-match winning streak midway through the season. GW won six of its final seven non-conference matches en route to a 6-3 non-league record.

The Colonials are led by seniors Lindsey Rowe and Sierra Smidinger, along with leading scorer Adriana Moya and center back Samie Cloutier.

The nationally ranked Hoyas are coming off of a program-best 15-7-2 record in 2010. Georgetown is led by All-America selection and Big East Midfielder of the Year Ingrid Wells.

Friday's contest marks the season-opener for both teams, as well as the first regular-season action on the new Field Turf Synthetic Surface at Mount Vernon Field. Georgetown holds a 5-1-0 advantage in the all-time series against GW with the Colonials posting a 2-1 victory in 2003.

For the first time, men's and women's soccer will be live video streamed on the official athletics website, GWsports.com. Those interested in subscribing can visit GW All-Access to sign up for the service. Options include monthly service or an annual package that currently includes Colonials men's and women's basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, and women's lacrosse.

WOMEN'S SOCCER SEASON OUTLOOK

Having lost 12 players from last season's roster that finished 9-9-0 and 3-6-0 in the Atlantic 10 Conference, 12th-year head coach Tanya Vogeland her GW squad are looking in a new direction this year. Despite finishing 11th in the league just one season ago, the Colonials hope to regain a spot in the postseason tournament.

"This squad is a perfect blend of experienced veterans and outstanding newcomers," said Coach Vogel. "We are all excited because it's a very different team, even from one year ago."

GW returns 11 letterwinners and six starters to the lineup and with the addition of 10 newcomers to the field, Vogel's bench boasts only a handful of upperclassmen. Although the GW roster possesses a lot of youth, the talent pool is much larger compared to previous years.

"These players are very close in terms of talent," said Coach Vogel. "The difference between our top player and our 24th player is not a large gap, and that makes for an extremely deep bench."

Amongst key players lost was standout center back Jill Morgan, a four-year starter and Atlantic10 All-Conference selection. However, Vogel believes this squad can fill Morgan's shoes with a lot of hard work on and off the field.

"Our three seniors are huge impact players and the entire junior class has started at one point," Coach Vogel said. "We have a lot of program-changing players and we expect big things from them throughout the season."

FORWARDS

The Colonials will look to be more threatening on attack this season, and with the return of their top three scorers in junior Adriana Moya and sophomores Claire Haft and Alex Neal, the goal is clearly within reach.

Leading GW's offensive front is Moya, who registered a team-leading four goals last season.

"Adriana is an extremely strong and talented player," said Coach Vogel. "We expect to see great things out of her this season in terms of putting the ball in the net."

Haft and Neal netted three goals each during their freshman seasons, and Neal earned a spot on the A-10 All-Rookie team. Vogel also expects the tandem of senior Taryn Dietrich, who returns after an injury that kept her out a year and a half, and junior Kayley Sullivanto compliment Moya up top.

Equally as exciting for the Colonials' offense is the addition of incoming freshmen Meg Murphy and Taylor Katz. Murphy, an all-conference selection from Fairfax, Va., led her ODP team to the National Championship Tournament in 2009 and was named to the A-10 Preseason All-Rookie Team. Katz comes to GW after a four-year scholastic career and an all-county selection at Jericho High School in Jericho, N.Y.

"Meg and Taylor were recruited to score," said Coach Vogel. "We're excited to get them in front of the net and see what they are made of."

MIDFIELDERS

A trio of veterans will control the midfield this season in senior Sierra Smidinger and juniors Molly Bruh and Clare Roche. A two-year starter, Smidinger played a key role on attack as she tallied three assists in 2010, while Bruh assisted on two game-winning goals last season. Roche earned a spot in the starting lineup during her sophomore season.

Alongside Smidinger and Bruh comes a group of young, yet experienced, freshmen. Elizabeth Casey, MacKenzie McIndoe and Sydney Morriswill all fight for a spot across the middle of the pitch this fall.

Casey, a four-year letterwinner at Chantilly High School, ranked 63rd in the top-100 recruits of 2011 by TopDrawerSoccer.com. Quick-footed McIndoe earned all-league, all-county and all-section accolades throughout her four scholastic seasons, and Morris capped off her high school career as a three-time team MVP and three-time all-district honoree.

DEFENDERS

The GW defense helped hold opponents to a solid 1.10 goals-against average in 2010 and looks to lower that average in 2011.

"Our defense is very strong and looks fantastic," Coach Vogel said. "These are all extremely athletic players and they are prepared to face some great attackers in the conference."

Junior Samie Cloutier and sophomore Melanie Keerreturn to anchor the back line. Cloutier is a two-year starter for the Colonials, while Keer had a breakout rookie season, earning 15 starts and assisting on an overtime game-winner against Mount St. Mary's. Newcomers Alex Brothers, Madison Davis and Sarah Hayashialso add depth to the defense.

GOALKEEPERS

Senior goalkeeper Lindsey Rowewill start between the pipes for the Colonials for the fourth consecutive year. Rowe's 50 saves and two shutouts in 2010 moved her to fourth and third all-time at GW in those categories and she aims to continue to climb the career rankings.

Coach Vogel will also rely on sophomore Nicole Ulrickto be a ready back-up. "Nicole is very athletic and talented," Coach Vogel said. "We expect her to challenge Lindsey every day and fight for a spot in the line-up."

SCHEDULE

After Friday's match with the Hoyas, the Colonials make their first trip to the West Coast since 2005. The squad takes on Saint Mary's in Moraga, Calif., Aug. 26 for the first time in program history, followed by a trip to the University of San Francisco Aug. 28 to face the Dons for the first time since 1989.

GW continues non-conference action at home against Iowa on Sept. 2--the Colonials' first game against a Big Ten opponent in 15 years. It is also the first time a team from the Big Ten has visited Mount Vernon Field. GW wraps up its two-game home stand with a game against Robert Morris on Sept. 4.

The Colonials head to Annapolis, Md., the following weekend for the Navy Invitational. GW will face Davidson on Sept. 9 at 4:00 pm and Bryant on Sept. 11 at 11:30 am. The Colonials remain on the road and head to Boiling Springs, N.C., to face Gardner-Webb on Sept. 16.

The Colonials wrap their non-conference home slate by hosting the first-ever meeting with Liberty on Sept. 23, before closing out non-league action against cross-town rival American on Sept. 26.

GW opens Atlantic 10 play with four consecutive road matches before returning home for the final five conference games. The Colonials will travel to 2010 A-10 Tournament qualifiers St. Bonaventure and Duquesne, along with Saint Joseph's and Temple.

The squad returns to Mount Vernon to host defending A-10 Champion and 2010 NCAA Tournament second-round opponent Dayton, followed by Xavier, Richmond, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

The Flyers will host the 2011 A-10 Championship at Baujan Field in Dayton, Ohio, Nov. 3-6.