BUFFALO, N.Y. - The D'Youville University women's soccer team heads to Dobbs Ferry, N.Y. for a conference matchup with Mercy on Saturday, Sept. 17. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m.
SCOUTING MERCY
Mercy is currently first in the ECC in the standings, sitting 5-1 on the season so far. Most recently, the Mavericks secured a 2-1 win over Holy Family University at home. Nikki Bermudez and Kayla Camacho scored for the Mavericks in the Tuesday evening contest, they each have four goals on the season. Ancksu Dixon had three goals on the season, while six other teammates have one goal.
OPENING XI
I. The Saints are coming off a 0-1 loss to Post University Tuesday night at home. D'Youville fought hard against a gritty Eagles' team but couldn't convert in the final third.
II. Cecchini scored her second collegiate goal in the Saints' 1-0 win over Queens. Cecchini's efforts on the pitch earned her ECC Rookie of the Week honors. This is the first ECC Weekly honor for the women's soccer team this year.
III.
Reaghan Duval has started in net all five games for the Saints. She currently has 20 saves on the season, securing two shutouts. Her efforts between the pipes helped her earned USCAA Women's Soccer Division I Goalie of the Week.
IV.
Lily Gallagher scored her first career goal in the Saints' 1-3 loss to Alliance University Saturday, Sept. 3. Freshman
Jeslyn-Brooke Vallesteros recorded her first career assist, setting her teammate up at the 10' mark.
V. The Saints have made some changes to the offensive line, as
Gabrielle Brown,
Jasmina Barhoumi, and Gallagher have made the transition to midfield. D'Youville has gone 2-2 since the transition, scoring in each of the two games.
VI. Mercy is currently first in the ECC in the standings, sitting 5-1 on the season so far. Most recently, the Mavericks secured a 2-1 win over Holy Family University at home.
VII. The Saints and Mavericks have met once in the past - last season in early November. Mercy claimed a 2-1 win in the matchup.
Jillian Bernas, who scored the lone goal for D'Youville, returns to the Saints' roster this year. She has one goal on the season.
VIII. Head coach Abby Pearson is in her second season at the helm of the program. Last year, the Saints went 7-10-2 overall, earning their first win over an NCAA Division II opponent, St. Thomas Aquinas.
IX. Three Saints earned USCAA All-America honors last season. Returning from the group is Maggie Leads who led the team with seven goals.
X. Pearson is welcoming 12 incoming student-athletes to the squad this year, including transfers
Tsianna Barnwell and Duval. Barnwell joins the Saints after a four-year stint at NCAA Division I St. Bonaventure.
XI. Joining Pearson on the sidelines are Kyle Cunningham, Corey Nash, Marina Cunningham, and Hannah Gallivan.
