The USCB women's soccer team kicks off an exciting Homecoming weekend when the Sand Sharks host rival SCAD Savannah for a pivotal Sun Conference contest Thursday afternoon at Fin Land Field.
It's the first of three consecutive home matches for USCB, which will offer free admission to Thursday's match as well as Saturday's Homecoming game versus Thomas with three canned food items to be donated to Bluffton Self Help's Hurricane Matthew relief efforts.
The Sand Sharks, who have won two straight at home, hope to climb up the Sun Conference table with two key matches this weekend. USCB is fourth in the conference standings with 10 points but can make up ground on two of the teams it trails with wins over the Bees and Night Hawks.
"The team is excited to be back home for Homecoming week and looking forward to Thursday's match," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "I saw a focus, determination and strong work ethic at training that hasn't been seen in awhile."
The Sand Sharks are coming off a 3-0 loss Monday at Keiser, which climbed to No. 1 in the most recent NAIA Women's Soccer Coaches' Top 25 Poll released Tuesday.
The Bees have not played since a 2-1 win over Webber International on Oct. 1 but have won four straight matches to begin Sun Conference play, outscoring those opponents 7-1. Senior Kelly McKay leads the Bees in goals (5) and points (11), while senior goalkeeper Ande Eich boasts a 1.24 goals-against average and three shutouts – all in conference play.
"This match, as usual, will be evening matched and should prove to be quite exciting," Heberling said. "If we can control the midfield and connect passes we will find success. Hopefully our fans can show up in force to help support the team."
FIN FACTS
• Junior F Hayley Pina is now USCB's career leader for points (52), goals (20) and assists (12). Pina leads the team in goals (8) and points (19) this season and is closing in on her own single-season program records for points (23) and goals (9) set last season.
• USCB won its first two road games to start a season and is 4-2 away from home after winning at Ave Maria on Sept. 24, tying the school record for road wins in a season set in 2012 and matched in 2013.
• The Sand Sharks have outshot the opposition in 11 of their 14 games this season and have held a double-digit edge in nine of those matches. USCB has allowed five or fewer shots on goal seven times and has permitted five or fewer total shots five times.
• Thirteen different players have scored goals and two more have registered assists for the Sand Sharks. Pina (8), freshman F Felicia Alpenmyr (3), freshman F Anna Gignilliat (3), sophomore MF Brittney Neser (2), senior F Taylor Superior (2) and senior MF Sam Satterlee (2) each have scored multiple goals.
• USCB opened the season with back-to-back shutouts – the first consecutive clean sheets since the Sand Sharks recorded consecutive 1-0 wins over St. Andrews and Southeastern in October 2013. The Sand Sharks have four shutouts on the season, their most since recording five in 2013.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Schedule and Results
USCB 2016 Statistics
Sun Conference Women's Soccer Standings
USCB Sand Sharks on Facebook
USCB Athletics on Twitter
