SNHU (2-1-1)
vs.
Queens (N.Y.) (3-1)
Wednesday, September 18, 2013 - Larkin Field, Manchester, N.H.
THE MATCHUP: Southern New Hampshire plays its home opener Wednesday afternoon when it hosts Queens (N.Y.).
THE COACHES: Terry Prouty is in her 15th season as women's soccer coach at SNHU...a former standout soccer and softball player for the Penmen and a 1988 graduate of then-New Hampshire College, Prouty has guided the Penmen to seven Northeast-10 Tournament berths, including a championship in 2012, and two NCAA appearances...Carl Christian is in his sixth season as head of the women's program at Queens...a former standout for the Knights, he also coaches the men's program, and has a 55-30-8 mark in five-plus seasons with the women's squad.
THE SERIES: Southern New Hampshire and Queens have never met in women's soccer.
THE PENMEN: Southern New Hampshire picked fifth in the Northeast-10 preseason poll, opened Northeast-10 play with a 1-1 tie at Adelphi on Saturday...the Penmen stand 2-1-1 overall...Ashley Jaskula leads SNHU with two goals and an assist for five points, while Morgan Branco has scored a pair of goals, including a goal in the Adelphi draw...Gabby Cappello and Trisha Luis have each tallied a goal and an assist thus far...Samantha Whittier has started all four games in goal for the Penmen and owns a 0.47 goals-against average, .867 save percentage, and has posted a pair of shutouts...she had a scoreless string of 635:49 dating back to last season snapped last Wednesday at Bridgeport.
THE KNIGHTS: Off to a 3-1 start, Queens posted a 1-0 win over Georgian Court on Sunday afternoon...all three of the Knights' victories have been by 1-0 scores...Lorena Russi leads Queens with three goals on the season, including a pair of game-winners...Rebecca LaPorte has the Knights' other goal...Lisa Cassata, Kristina Ikonomou and Nicolette Scrozzo have all notched assists...Mersina Onesto has started all four games in goal and owns a 0.50 goals-against average and .867 save percentage while recording three shutouts.
WHAT'S NEXT: Southern New Hampshire hosts 2013 NCAA semifinalist Saint Rose on Saturday afternoon before hitting the road next week for games at Merrimack and Southern Connecticut.
