North Carolina State University Athletics
Springthorpe Era Begins Friday vs. ODU
8/21/2009 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
NC State vs. Old Dominion
Friday, August 21, 7 p.m.
Dail Soccer Stadium
Live Stats
The regular season is here for the NC State women’s soccer team as the Steve Springthorpe era officially begins Friday when the Wolfpack hosts Old Dominion Friday from Dail Soccer Stadium. The match begins at 7 p.m. and will be the season opener for both teams.
The game is obviously significant in that it will be the first for Springthorpe at NC State, but it also marks the first head-to-head meeting with his former college head coach and mentor Joe Pereira. The two were joined together at Methodist College, first when Springthorpe was a player and then as an assistant coach for eight years, until Pereira left for ODU in 1995.
Hired in January as the fourth head coach in program history, Springthorpe takes over a team that returns 19 players from an 8-12 club in 2008, including 13 of the top 15 scorers. Heading that list is junior forward Kara Baldy, who compiled 15 points (six goals) in just nine games. She was among the ACC’s leading scorers until an injury sidelined her the remainder of the season.
Also back in the fold that will be looked upon to supply the team with offense is sophomore forwards Paige Dugal and Tanya Cain, who combined for seven goals during their first season with the Pack. Junior Nadia Aboulhosn returns after finishing fourth on the team with seven points on two goals and three helpers.
Additionally, seniors Gia Cipollini and Meredith Parrilla are back for one final go-around after tying for the club lead with six assists apiece last season. Cipollini is one of three starting defenders back along with classmate Katie Ruiz and junior Alex Berger. The trio will be a key to the NC State defense this season along with sophomore goalkeeper Kim Kern, who posted a 5-5 record and a 1.22 goals-against-average in 11 matches last year.
The Wolfpack got off to a nice start to the season with a 7-0 victory over VMI an exhibition last Friday. Senior Chantalle Dugas found the back of the net three times in the second half to pace the offensive explosion.
Cain, Baldy, Berger and Dugal also scored for the Pack.
For Old Dominion, after graduating nine seniors last season, the Lady Monarchs will boast a new look in 2009. ODU will return five starters including sophomore Victoria Johnson, who scored nine goals and seven assists a year ago en route to an All-Rookie conference selection in the Colonial Athletic Association.
The returning core will be led by Johnson, as well as sophomore defender Lisa Bernardini, senior defender Brittney Kortz and junior midfielder Ashley Kukura. Sophomore Jocelyn Weidner also took over a starting slot last year and will play in the midfield.
Last season, the Lady Monarchs hosted NC State and defeated the Wolfpack, 1-0, for the programs first ever win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. The win pulls the all-time series to 1-2-1.
NC State hits the road Monday to take on local rival Campbell at 7 p.m. in Buies Creek. Fans that can’t make the game can watch a live video broadcast or follow with live stats provided by Campbell. A link is provided for both on the women’s soccer Schedule / Results page at GoPack.com.
Friday, August 21, 7 p.m.
Dail Soccer Stadium
Live Stats
The regular season is here for the NC State women’s soccer team as the Steve Springthorpe era officially begins Friday when the Wolfpack hosts Old Dominion Friday from Dail Soccer Stadium. The match begins at 7 p.m. and will be the season opener for both teams.
The game is obviously significant in that it will be the first for Springthorpe at NC State, but it also marks the first head-to-head meeting with his former college head coach and mentor Joe Pereira. The two were joined together at Methodist College, first when Springthorpe was a player and then as an assistant coach for eight years, until Pereira left for ODU in 1995.
Hired in January as the fourth head coach in program history, Springthorpe takes over a team that returns 19 players from an 8-12 club in 2008, including 13 of the top 15 scorers. Heading that list is junior forward Kara Baldy, who compiled 15 points (six goals) in just nine games. She was among the ACC’s leading scorers until an injury sidelined her the remainder of the season.
Also back in the fold that will be looked upon to supply the team with offense is sophomore forwards Paige Dugal and Tanya Cain, who combined for seven goals during their first season with the Pack. Junior Nadia Aboulhosn returns after finishing fourth on the team with seven points on two goals and three helpers.
Additionally, seniors Gia Cipollini and Meredith Parrilla are back for one final go-around after tying for the club lead with six assists apiece last season. Cipollini is one of three starting defenders back along with classmate Katie Ruiz and junior Alex Berger. The trio will be a key to the NC State defense this season along with sophomore goalkeeper Kim Kern, who posted a 5-5 record and a 1.22 goals-against-average in 11 matches last year.
The Wolfpack got off to a nice start to the season with a 7-0 victory over VMI an exhibition last Friday. Senior Chantalle Dugas found the back of the net three times in the second half to pace the offensive explosion.
Cain, Baldy, Berger and Dugal also scored for the Pack.
For Old Dominion, after graduating nine seniors last season, the Lady Monarchs will boast a new look in 2009. ODU will return five starters including sophomore Victoria Johnson, who scored nine goals and seven assists a year ago en route to an All-Rookie conference selection in the Colonial Athletic Association.
The returning core will be led by Johnson, as well as sophomore defender Lisa Bernardini, senior defender Brittney Kortz and junior midfielder Ashley Kukura. Sophomore Jocelyn Weidner also took over a starting slot last year and will play in the midfield.
Last season, the Lady Monarchs hosted NC State and defeated the Wolfpack, 1-0, for the programs first ever win over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. The win pulls the all-time series to 1-2-1.
NC State hits the road Monday to take on local rival Campbell at 7 p.m. in Buies Creek. Fans that can’t make the game can watch a live video broadcast or follow with live stats provided by Campbell. A link is provided for both on the women’s soccer Schedule / Results page at GoPack.com.
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