Thursday, October 23, 2008

(October 23, 2008) - After two straight road matches, the ETSU women's soccer team resumes Atlantic Sun Conference play with its final two league contests this weekend. The Bucs host A-Sun rival Stetson with a 4:00 p.m., contest Friday, before welcoming Florida Gulf Coast with a 2:00 p.m., match Sunday, at Summers-Taylor Stadium.

The Bucs (5-8-1, A-Sun 3-4-1) look to bounce back after dropping two tough road matches last weekend. ETSU lost a heartbreaking 2-1, overtime contest to Kennesaw State, before failing just short of league-leading Mercer 1-0, Sunday.  

The Bucs could really help their chance of earning a spot in the 2008 A-Sun tournament with wins this weekend. Currently, ETSU sits in seventh-place, however due to FGCU being ineligible for postseason play the Bucs would qualify for the six-team bracket.

Individually, goalkeeper Megan Masch (Virginia Beach, Va.) leads ETSU's defense stopping 10 shots last weekend. The first-year player currently sits fourth among league keepers in shutouts, while being fifth in saves per match.

Stetson (6-7-2, A-Sun 4-3-0) comes into the contest splitting matches against Belmont and Lipscomb, last weekend. Individually, the Hatters are lead by Tessa Gavilsky. The sophomore forward leads all A-Sun players in points with 27.

FGCU (8-3-3, A-Sun 3-1-3) heads to the Tri-Cites on a two-game unbeaten streak. The Eagles own the best overall winning percentage in the A-Sun, while outscoring their opponents 25-11. Individually, sophomore forward Lindsay Haw leads FGCU with seven goals and 20 points.

As a reminder every fan who brings in an old pair of tennis shoes to this weekend's matches will admitted for only $1 in correlation with "Kicks for Bucs," promotion. Also before Sunday's match, head coach Heather Henson and the ETSU Athletic Department will honor the Bucs four senior players, goalkeeper Erin Bilyeu (Murfreesboro), foward Ashley Craig (Lakeland, Fla.), defender Meredith Goldman (Knoxville) and foward Rachel Layer (Bel Air, Md.).

Sunday's match will also be on-demand on ASun.TV after the conference announced it to be the league's game of the week.