‘Cats Look to Bounce Back Sunday vs. Pioneers - University of New Hampshire Athletics

Sunday, August 25

Durham, N.H.

2:00 PM

University of New Hampshire

Sacred Heart

Junior captain Casey Peterson lines up a corner kick (Photo by Andrew Yourell)

Photo by: Andrew Yourell

8/24/2019 10:02:00 AM | Women's Soccer

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New Hampshire looks to overcome tough loss in home opener.

NEW HAMPSHIRE (0-1-0) vs. SACRED HEART (0-1-0)
Sunday, August 25 – 2 P.M. – Wildcat Stadium – AmericaEast.TV

DURHAM, N.H. – The University of New Hampshire women's soccer team, coming off a 1-0 overtime loss in its season opener against Rhode Island, hosts the Sacred Heart University Pioneers on Sunday afternoon at Wildcat Stadium.

The Series with Sacred Heart

UNH and Sacred Heart have faced off four times in each program's history. The Wildcats currently hold a 4-0-0 record all-time when facing the Pioneers.
The last contest between the two programs was September 16, 2018 in Fairfield, Conn. An early goal from Liz Lane
UNH and SHU first squared off in September of 2001. They didn't meet again until August of 2013; this will be the third straight year the two teams compete meet (2017, 2018, 2019).

Last Time Out

The Wildcats faced Rhode Island in their season opener for the second year in a row.
New Hampshire controlled the ball well in their attacking zones in the opening half, holding a 3-0 lead in shots on goal at halftime.
Rhode Island returned pressure in the second half, outshooting UNH with five shots on target to UNH's two.
A deflected ball into the box found a Rhode Island striker in the 92^nd minute and she was able to end the stalemate with an early overtime goal, giving the Rams a 1-0 victory.

The State of New Hampshire

New Hampshire enters the 2019 season picked fifth in the America East preseason coaches poll, with one first-place vote.
The Wildcats carry a large number of returning, experienced student-athletes, with 19 members of the 2018 roster returning, including 10 seniors.
Among the returning seniors are last season's leading goal scorers: Ally Reynolds (Weymouth, Mass.) with nine points on four goals and an assist, Kaylan Williams (Marion, Ind.) with eight points on three goals, two assists, and Liz Lane who tallied three straight game-winning goals late in the season, along with an assist for seven points on the season.
Other key returners for the Wildcats include senior back and team captain Caitlyn Keenan (Bow, N.H.) who appeared in 12 of UNH's 18 games, coming back from a nose injury early in the season, and junior captain Casey Peterson (Clifton, Va.). The midfield/forward combo tallied a four-point game against Rhode Island with a goal and two assists.
All-Conference Second-Teamer Megan Rumbold (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) tallied a late game-tying goal against Northeastern last season, and was a consistent member of the UNH backline, starting all 18 games.
Also joining Rumbold from last year's backline are seniors Maddie Murdick (Burlington, Conn.), Caroline Wysocki (Agawam, Mass.) and Caitlyn Keenan.

A New Face In Net

In net, the Wildcats are replacing a two-year starter and former Goalkeeper of the Year, Mia Neas. The goalkeeper corps consist of junior Cam Droste (Lone Tree, Colo.), sophomore Cat Sheppard (Nesconset, N.Y.) and freshman Bethany Dunk (Bridgewater, Mass.). Droste and Sheppard both saw action in 2018 in relief of Neas.
Sheppard got her first career start when UNH faced the Rhode Island Rams in its season opener. Sheppard did not face a shot on target in the first half, but stopped all five in the second half to repel the URI attack.

Scouting Sacred Heart

The Pioneers (Fairfield, Conn.) opened up their season on the road with a 0-1 loss to the University of Vermont on Friday evening.
Sacred Heart conceded the lone goal of the contest in the fifth minute and were unable to equalize.
SHU went 5-13-0 in the 2018 season with a 3-5-0 conference record.
The Pioneers were 4-5-0 on the road last season.
Freshman goaltender Elyssa Kipperman got the start in net for the Pioneers and had six saves in her career debut.

A Full Day at Wildcat Stadium
Sunday's contest against Sacred Heart will wrap up a full day of activities at Wildcat Stadium, which includes the annual Blue/White football scrimmage, immediately followed by the 'Meet the Coaches' barbecue for season ticket holders. Season ticket renewals and single game tickets for football are on sale now at UNHWildcats.com/tickets or by calling (603)862-4000. Renewals will also be available at the barbecue.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS – Sunday, 8/25 – Wildcat Stadium