Sunday, February 28
Richmond, Va. (Sports Backers Stadium)
1 PM
NC State
at
VCU
Photo by: PHOTO BY BENNETT SCARBOROUGH
Wolfpack Travels To VCU Sunday For First Road Test Of Season
2/27/2021 8:51:00 AM | Women's Soccer
RALEIGH – The NC State women's soccer team (3-0-1) is set for its first road test of the season when it makes the trip to Richmond, Va., Sunday to face Virginia Commonwealth (3-0-1). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Sports Backers Stadium, and the contest will be broadcast on ESPN+.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday will be the seventh meeting between the Wolfpack and Rams, as NC State leads the all-time series. 5-1-0.
The teams last met on Aug. 19, 2011 in Raleigh, and the Pack earned a 1-0 win.
NC State has won the last three meetings between the squads.
LAST TIME OUT
NC State ended its four-game home stand to start the 2021 spring season with a 0-0 (2 OT) draw against UNCG on Feb. 24 in Raleigh.
The Wolfpack outscored the Spartans, 20-7, and won six corners to UNCG's five, but was unable to find the back of the net. Denae Antoine put a pair of shots on goal in the regulation period and Mia Vaughan had a good scoring opportunity early in the second half.
Defensively, the Pack's backline remained sharp as it has only allowed one goal through four matches this year.
NEW FACES IN STARTING LINEUP
This year's starting lineup has featured several new faces, as 15 of the 18 available players on the roster have made the starting XI at least once this year.
All three freshmen on the roster that are eligible to compete this spring have earned at least one start, while Mackenzie Crittenberger and Mikhail Johnson both have made their first starts in a Wolfpack uniform this spring.
ECHEZARRETA SHINING IN GOAL
Freshman goalkeeper Maria Echezarreta has had an impressive start to her collegiate career, allowing just one goal scored in four matches. She has recorded three shutouts so far in her early career, compiling a 0.23 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in 385 minutes played.
SCOUTING VCU
VCU is undefeated through its first four matches of the season after compiling a 9-6-3 record in 2019. In the preseason, the Rams were picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic-10 Preseason Coaches Poll.
VCU returns 17 players from its 2019 roster, including six starters. Samantha Jerabeck, who was named A-10 Offensive Player of the Week on Feb. 16, was the team's top goal scorer in 2019 and has already scored five so far this year.
Goalkeeper Brecht Haakma was recently named the Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Week, and she has only allowed two goals to score against her. She has tallied two shutouts and has played every minute so far for VCU in goal.
UP NEXT
NC State returns to action March 20 when it hosts Wake Forest at Dail Soccer Stadium in a 1 p.m. nonconference matchup. The program will honor its senior class of Jessica Berlin, Mackenzie Crittenberger, Mikhail Johnson and Hope McQueen prior to the start of the match.
SERIES HISTORY
Sunday will be the seventh meeting between the Wolfpack and Rams, as NC State leads the all-time series. 5-1-0.
The teams last met on Aug. 19, 2011 in Raleigh, and the Pack earned a 1-0 win.
NC State has won the last three meetings between the squads.
LAST TIME OUT
NC State ended its four-game home stand to start the 2021 spring season with a 0-0 (2 OT) draw against UNCG on Feb. 24 in Raleigh.
The Wolfpack outscored the Spartans, 20-7, and won six corners to UNCG's five, but was unable to find the back of the net. Denae Antoine put a pair of shots on goal in the regulation period and Mia Vaughan had a good scoring opportunity early in the second half.
Defensively, the Pack's backline remained sharp as it has only allowed one goal through four matches this year.
NEW FACES IN STARTING LINEUP
This year's starting lineup has featured several new faces, as 15 of the 18 available players on the roster have made the starting XI at least once this year.
All three freshmen on the roster that are eligible to compete this spring have earned at least one start, while Mackenzie Crittenberger and Mikhail Johnson both have made their first starts in a Wolfpack uniform this spring.
ECHEZARRETA SHINING IN GOAL
Freshman goalkeeper Maria Echezarreta has had an impressive start to her collegiate career, allowing just one goal scored in four matches. She has recorded three shutouts so far in her early career, compiling a 0.23 goals-against average and .889 save percentage in 385 minutes played.
SCOUTING VCU
VCU is undefeated through its first four matches of the season after compiling a 9-6-3 record in 2019. In the preseason, the Rams were picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic-10 Preseason Coaches Poll.
VCU returns 17 players from its 2019 roster, including six starters. Samantha Jerabeck, who was named A-10 Offensive Player of the Week on Feb. 16, was the team's top goal scorer in 2019 and has already scored five so far this year.
Goalkeeper Brecht Haakma was recently named the Atlantic-10 Defensive Player of the Week, and she has only allowed two goals to score against her. She has tallied two shutouts and has played every minute so far for VCU in goal.
UP NEXT
NC State returns to action March 20 when it hosts Wake Forest at Dail Soccer Stadium in a 1 p.m. nonconference matchup. The program will honor its senior class of Jessica Berlin, Mackenzie Crittenberger, Mikhail Johnson and Hope McQueen prior to the start of the match.
Players Mentioned
Forward
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Goalkeeper
/ Women's Soccer
Midfielder
/ Women's Soccer
Defender
/ Women's Soccer
Forward
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