Women's Soccer Set for Crucial Road SoCon Weekend

Game Notes

GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNCG women's soccer team heads out on the road for a pair of SoCon matches this weekend, including a first-place showdown against Samford Friday, Oct. 19 at 8 p.m. in Birmingham, Ala. The Spartans then face Chattanooga Sunday, Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. in Chattanooga, Tenn.

UNCG (9-6-1, 6-1-1 SoCon) is riding an 18-game road SoCon unbeaten streak dating back to a 2-1 loss at Davidson in 2010. The Spartans picked up two more victories last week, earning a pair of 1-0 wins against Davidson and Georgia Southern to jump into sole possession of second place. Samford also holds a significant streak of 22-straight games without a loss in conference play. The Bulldogs last defeat was in the SoCon Championship game in 2010-ironically a 1-0 loss against UNCG. 

"It is a big matchup because it is No. 1 vs. No. 2 and a team that hasn't lost in a very long time," said head coach Steve Nugent. "It has all the elements to be a very big game. We are excited to be in that environment with two similar teams who have similar goals at the end of the day."

Freshman Chesney White (Franklin, Tenn./Franklin) leads the team with five goals, including the game winner last weekend against Davidson.  Senior Cat Barnekow (Santa Rosa,Calif./Santa Rosa JC) paces the team with 13 points on four goals and five assists. Barnekow had both game-winning assists last weekend, giving her 23 career assists and tying her for fifth all-time. Senior Lauren Hein (Torrance, Calif./South Torrance) sits third on the team with eight points on three goals and two assists.

Freshman goalkeeper Jamie Simmons (Houston, Texas/Clear Brook HS) is third in the SoCon with 84 saves and has five shutouts, including three straight against Wofford, Davidson and Georgia Southern.

UNCG is tied with Samford in the series with a 2-2-1 record. The Bulldogs defeated the Spartans, 1-0, last season in Greensboro. UNCG holds a commanding lead against Chattanooga with a 12-3-1 mark, winning the last seven meetings.

The Bulldogs picked up two shutout wins last weekend against The Citadel (2-0) and College of Charleston (1-0). Samford has a dangerous attack with three players who have scored four goals in Michelle Moll, Brittany Hoffman and Trine Taule. In goal, Melissa Montgomery has a 1.01 goals against average with three shutouts.

Chattanooga earned its first Southern Conference victory last weekend with a 3-2 win over The Citadel. Senior Becca Smith provided the game winner on a penalty kick, giving her a team-high five goals on the season and fifth in the SoCon. Freshman Lauren Thomas leads the league with 90 saves (7.6/game) and has a .769 goals against average in net.

Be sure to follow all updates about the 2012 UNCG women's soccer team on www.uncgspartans.com or on twitter @UNCGsports/@CoachNugent.  

 

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