The USCB women's soccer team returns to its home pitch for the first time in nearly a month when the Sand Sharks host St. Thomas for a key Sun Conference matchup at 3 p.m. Friday at Fin Land Field.
The contest continues Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month, as the Sand Sharks again will be in special uniforms they have worn throughout the month of September honoring children who have fought or are currently fighting cancer. Fans will be granted free admission 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.
The Sand Sharks are looking to build off their first victory of the Sun Conference season and their highest-scoring output of the year after rallying for a 5-3 win at Ave Maria on Saturday. The Sand Sharks and Bobcats each split their first two conference contests of the season, and both figure to be in contention for spots in the six-team Sun Conference Tournament.
"This should be a very competitive game, and we need to arrive ready to play and capitalize on our chances," USCB coach Ed Heberling said. "St. Thomas will play a similar style to us and returns numerous key players from last season."
St. Thomas has been strong defensively, allowing just 11 goals through seven matches – only one of which has come with Swedish freshman Olivia Waller in goal. Sophomore forward Kortney Hinden leads the team in goals (4), assists (3) and points (11). The Bobcats have won four of five all-time meetings between the teams, but the Sand Sharks came away with a 3-2 win the last time St. Thomas visited Fin Land in 2014.
"It will be nice to be back at home this weekend," Heberling said. "We have done well on the road and now need to do the same at Fin Land. Hopefully we will have numerous fans out to support us in our last match to raise awareness for pediatric cancer. Our support at home is usually strong, and we expect no different this weekend."
FIN FACTS
• With a goal and an assist at Ave Maria, junior F Hayley Pina is now USCB's career leader for points (43) and goals (17) and is tied for the all-time lead for assists (11) in USCB history. Pina leads the team in goals (4) and points (10) this 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 Saturday, 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 eight of their nine games this season and have held a double-digit edge in seven of those matches. USCB has allowed five or fewer shots on goal five times and has permitted five or fewer total shots four times.
• Eleven different players have scored goals and two more have registered assists for the Sand Sharks. Pina (4), freshman F Felicia Alpenmyr (3), freshman F Anna Gignilliat (3) and sophomore MF Brittney Neser (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 three 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
