The USCB women's soccer team faces its toughest test so far this season when the Sand Sharks host 14th-ranked Campbellsville (Ky.) at noon Sunday in an early matchup of unbeaten teams. It will be Youth Day at Fin Land with special activities and giveaways planned for children in attendance. 

The Sand Sharks are off to the best start in the program's six-year history after improving to 2-0 with a 4-0 shutout of visiting Montreat (N.C.) on Friday. USCB has dominated its first two matches, outshooting the opposition 70-6 and holding a 35-3 edge in shots on goal. The Sand Sharks pounded a school-record 42 shots against the Cavaliers.

USCB coach Ed Heberling doesn't expect things to come so easily Sunday. Campbellsville was 19-3 a year ago and advanced to the NAIA National Championship before losing to eventual national semifinalist Benedictine. The Tigers lost their top two scorers off that team but return a strong group of players and have posted two solid wins to begin the season.

"We need to make sure we maintain our level of play for the entire match," Heberling said. "We've been able to set the tone early in both of our matches, but we have dropped off as substitutions started to happen." 

There will be little margin for error against the Tigers, who blanked SCAD Savannah 1-0 on Friday behind a late goal from Devon Burnside and nine saves from All-America goalkeeper Amanda Howard, who recorded her 21st career shutout. 

The Sand Sharks are happy to take on the challenge at home, where they have won four of their last five matches dating to last season.

"Sunday will be a tough game, and I hope we get the same fan support we had in the first half Friday," Heberling said. "The team enjoyed and appreciated the amazing support." 
 

FIN FACTS

• USCB has recorded back-to-back shutouts for the first time since registering consecutive 1-0 wins over St. Andrews and Southeastern in October 2013. 

• The Sand Sharks have not allowed a shot on goal in the first half of either of their first two games.

• Six different players have scored goals and three more have registered assists for the Sand Sharks with senior F Cameron Croney-Clark leading the team with three points – all of which came in Friday's victory over Montreat. 

• With a goal in the season-opener, junior F Hayley Pina moved into second place on USCB's career list for points (35) and is now tied for second in USCB history for goals (13). She also ranks second for assists (9). Pina trails Alexa Muffley by one point and three goals and is two assists behind Jessica Tooley for the all-time lead in each category.
 

RELATED LINKS

USCB Schedule and Results

USCB 2016 Statistics

Sun Conference Women's Soccer Standings

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USCB Athletics on Twitter