University of Richmond Athletics
Soccer Hosts Pair of A-10 Weekend Games
10/14/2015 | Women's Soccer
Richmond got a road split last weekend in league action, losing 2-1 at Saint Louis Thursday for their first league loss ahead of Sunday's 3-2 win at Rhode Island. The Spiders are 2-1-1 in the after two weekends of conference play. Richmond is 4-7-1 overall, despite spending more time this season leading in a game (243:54) than trailing (229:35) in a contest.
The Spiders have scored eight goals in four league games, more than they did in their eight non-conference games during the season. Senior tri-captain Ashley Riefner (Mechanicsville, Virginia / Atlee HS) scored twice and assisted on the third goal in the win at Rhode Island. She leads the team with six assists and is tied for the team lead, with sophomore Lexi Prillaman (Magnolia, Delaware), with three goals. Riefner's 0.5 assists-per-game average is third-best in the league and 26th in the NCAA at this point of the season. Junior Hunter Rooney (Littleton, Colorado), a career defensive player, has started the last two games as a forward and scored her first career goal at Saint Louis.
Saint Joseph's, Richmond's Thursday opponent, enters at 7-6 overall, with one win in four tries in A-10 contests. The Hawks' lone win came last Thursday at home against Rhode Island. Emily Gingrich will be the main focus for Richmond defensively, as she leads the Hawks with seven goals and 19 points so far this season. Dakota Mills (five) and Hannah Racis (four) are also good scoring options for SJU, which has 23 goals this season, though just three in their four A-10 contests. The Hawks have posted four shutouts so far this season, with keeper Allison Ebling logging three of clean sheets. Saint Joseph's and Richmond have two common opponents (Delaware and Rhode Island), with a 2-0 record against that pair this year. The Spiders own a 7-4 mark in the all-tie series, winning four of the last six meetings. Saint Joseph's defeated Richmond 2-1 last season at Robins Stadium in the opening weekend of league play in 2014.
The Colonials sit as one of the two teams in the league with perfect 4-0 marks, but that won't remain when they come to Robins Stadium on Sunday, as they face off against the other 4-0 team in VCU Thursday. George Washington is 9-4 on the season overall. The Colonials have posted six shutouts this season, including two in conference (Saint Joseph's and Massachusetts) for their perfect league start. GW is led in scoring by Mackenzie Cowley, with seven goals, while nine players have combined to score their 21 goals this season. Miranda Horn has posted two shutouts by herself this season, splitting time with back-up keeper Ellen Conway for the other five clean sheets this year. Richmond is 7-5-1 in the all-time series over GW, despite nine of the 13 meetings (including each of the last four years) taking place in Washington, D.C. The last five meetings have all been decided by shutout, with George Washington winning the last two, including a 1-0 result in D.C. last October.
The Spiders will continue to wear their pink jerseys for the remainder of October, promoting Breast Cancer Awareness month.
