The three-week grind of the preseason gives way to the real deal Saturday, as the USCB women's soccer team opens the 2016 season with a road contest at Life University at 6 p.m. The match will be played at the Kennesaw State University Marietta campus.

Coach Ed Heberling's team returns seven starters from last year's team that finished 5-12-1 overall and tied for fifth in the Sun Conference at 5-5. Among the returners is junior forward Hayley Pina, who set school records for goals (9) and points (23) a year ago. Junior midfielder Karen Pimentel, senior defender Bridgette Noonan, and senior forward Brittany Lorentz also are back after missing significant portions of last season due to injury.

"We are excited to open the 2016 season," Heberling said. "I am looking for Karen, Bridgette, Hayley and Brittany to provide leadership in the match and get our season started off right." 

The veterans are joined by a talented group of newcomers, including Swedish freshmen Elin Sturesson and Felicia Alpenmyr, who are expected to take on key roles right away. Fellow freshmen Brooke Newman and Anna Gignilliat also have earned substantial roles during the preseason. 

The Running Eagles are a first-year program led by coach Sam Clark, who will rely on a freshman-laden roster. All but three of Life's players are freshmen with a pair of sophomores and one junior. Life defeated Bryan (Tenn.) 2-1 in a preseason scrimmage Wednesday. 

"We expect Life University to come out ready to play and have a great home environment to support them," Heberling said. "The atmosphere will be like our first home game in 2011. We have to be mentally prepared, focused, and ready to play a full 90 minutes, as the Running Eagles will be extremely excited to start their inaugural season."
 

FIN FACTS

• The Sand Sharks are opening on the road for only the second time in program history. They began the 2014 campaign with a 4-1 win at Milligan (Tenn.). 

• USCB is 1-3-1 all-time in season-openers and dropped last season's opener, 4-2 at home against Middle Georgia State.

• Junior F Hayley Pina begins the 2016 season ranked third in USCB history for points (33) and goals (12) and second for assists (9). Pina trails Alexa Muffley by three points and four goals and is two assists behind Jessica Tooley for the all-time lead in each category.
 

RELATED LINKS

USCB Schedule and Results

USCB 2015 Statistics

Sun Conference Women's Soccer Standings

USCB Sand Sharks on Facebook

USCB Athletics on Twitter