BLUFFTON, S.C. - After delaying the 2020 season opener, the USCB women's soccer team will play its first game of the season on Monday, Sept. 21, as the Sand Sharks host Sun Conference rival Webber International at Fin Land Field. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
In-Person Fans Rules/Policies at USCB
Along with free admission for all home fall events, USCB announced its in-person rules/policies for fans planning to attend any home event this year. For the rules/policies for this year, click HERE.
About USCB
The Sand Sharks are fresh off a 9-8 2019 campaign, where they also went 5-5 in league games. USCB was strong at Fin Land Field a year ago where it went 4-2 with its only losses coming against No. 1 Keiser and No. 4 Southeastern.
USCB posted a strong start last year when it started the year 4-0. During that four-game stretch USCB posted 21 goals and conceded just one goal. The Sand Sharks started to find a groove in league action when it won three straight contests against Warner, Florida Memorial and Thomas. two of those victories - Warner and Thomas - came at Fin Land Field.
The Sand Sharks lost a couple key starters from last year in Anna Gignilliat, Logan Leask, Eva Hormazabal and Mina Ljosland.
Gignilliat, who was a senior last year, tallied 15 goals in 17 starts. She broke several single-season records last year in points (32), goals and game-winning goals (4). She also collected two single-game records in goals scored (4) and points (8).
Leask started in 15 games a year ago and totaled near 1,300 minutes between the pipes. She posted a 2.23 goals against average and nearly a 70 save percentage.
Ljosland and Hormazabal were freshmen last year, and they combined for 33 starts, four goals, six assists and 14 points.
However, USCB brought back a plethora of returners. All-Sun Conference selection Lexi Kaeser returns for her sophomore campaign, where she tallied five goals (second-most on team) and one assist a year ago.
On the defensive side, Allison Schaffer and Kaylee Kumar return, as the Sand Shark duo combined for 33 starts on the backline.
Combining with the returners, third-year head coach Jay Harris signed 12 newcomers, two of which have collegiate experience (Lauren Wood and Navie Webb). Both of the newcomers played at Lincoln Memorial, a NCAA Division II school in Tennessee.
Scouting Webber International
WIU is off a 6-8-1 2019 season, including a 2-8 record in league games. Contests away from Warrior Turf Field, its home field, Webber went 5-4.
USCB and Webber met only one time last year, and the Sand Sharks downed the Warriors, 3-0, thanks to goals from Teyah Lindo and Ljosland.
The Warriors are 1-0 on the 2020 season, as it collected a win over Trinity Baptist last week on the road. WIU tallied six goals in the first half, but the contest was cut short due to weather.
Follow It Live
There will be live stats and a live stream for the conference match. The live stream link can be found by clicking HERE, and the live stats link can be found by clicking HERE.
What's Next?
USCB will hit the road for the first time in 2020, as it will travel to top-5 Southeastern on Saturday, Sept. 26. Kickoff between the Sand Sharks and Fire is slated for 5 p.m. in Lakeland, Fla.
