The USCB women's soccer team kicks off a holiday weekend of home matches Saturday, playing host to Faulkner (Ala.) at 4 p.m. at Fin Land Field.
It's the kickoff of Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, as the Sand Sharks will wear special uniforms throughout the month of September honoring children who have fought or are currently fighting cancer. Fans will be granted free admission to home games throughout the month with donation of a new stuffed animal or board game to be donated to patients at area hospitals, and cash donations will go to Leo's Legacy, a local charity supporting families of children battling the disease.
"We are excited to be playing at home again this weekend, and it will be nice to play for a bigger reason tomorrow, as well," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "With it being Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, we hope to put a positive showing forward."
The Sand Sharks are coming off their first loss of the season – a 4-2 defeat to No. 14 Campbellsville – but had an encouraging week of practice as the team continues to gain chemistry and key players improve their fitness level.
"We had a good week of training and will see improvement from our last match," Heberling said. "The leadership and drive with this team is much different than past years."
The Eagles have a win, a draw, and a loss in their first three contests and are coming off a 4-1 victory over Life (Ga.) – a team USCB defeated 2-0 in its season-opener. Junior forward Kayla Wilson has been the team's most dynamic player, scoring four of Faulkner's five goals, and senior goalkeeper Cate Eden has registered 18 saves while allowing just one goal in each contest.
"Faulkner will be another great challenge for us, as they have a good goalkeeper and a couple of solid forwards," Heberling said. "To be successful, we need to dictate the pace of the game, win the first ball, and have a team defensive effort. I'm excited to see our team take the field Saturday."
FIN FACTS
• With a goal in the season-opener and an assist versus Campbellsville, junior F Hayley Pina has moved into a tie atop USCB's career list for points (36) along with Alexa Muffley. Pina also ranks second for assists (10) and is tied for second in USCB history for goals (13). She trails Muffley by three goals and is one assist behind Jessica Tooley for the all-time lead in each category.
• 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.
• Seven different players have scored goals and three more have registered assists for the Sand Sharks with freshman F Felicia Alpenmyr leading the team with four points. Alpenmyr, the only Sand Shark with multiple goals, has scored in consecutive games.
• The Sand Sharks are trying to start 3-1 for the first time in program history, surpassing 2-2 starts in 2012 and 2014. USCB did not earn its third victory last season until Oct. 9.
RELATED LINKS
USCB Schedule and Results
USCB 2016 Statistics
Sun Conference Women's Soccer Standings
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USCB Athletics on Twitter
