The Bloomsburg University women's soccer team looks to win its four straight match and will be looking to even the season series against the Warriors of East Stroudsburg when it heads to Eiler-Martin Stadium on Wednesday. The Huskies are 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the PSAC Eastern Division while the Warriors are 4-1 overall and 3-1 in the division. Bloomsburg dropped out of the United Soccer Coaches Division II poll following its 1-0 double overtime loss to East Stroudsburg back on September 11 but is among others receiving votes. East Stroudsburg is 21st in the country in the latest rankings but dropped five spots from last week.
ALL-TIME SERIES
Bloomsburg leads the all-time series against East Stroudsburg, 27-11-3. Two weeks ago, the Warriors knocked off the Huskies, 1-0 in double overtime, at Steph Pettit Stadium thanks to a goal from Monica Wood with 3:39 left in the second extra period. Bloomsburg outshot East Stroudsburg, 23-11, but could not solve Warriors' goalkeeper Mauri Jackson who turned aside seven shots for the shutout.
Jenna Hawkins (Fleetwood, Pa./Fleetwood) made six saves for the Huskies.
SCOUTING BLOOMSBURG
Bloomsburg enters the contest with a 5-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the PSAC East standings. The Huskies have won three straight since their only loss of the season to East Stroudsburg back on September 11. Bloomsburg most recently defeated Shepherd at Steph Pettit Stadium, 4-0, on Saturday night as it received goals from four different players - juniors
Lauren Hoelke (Blackwood, N.J./Highland Regional),
Alex Burrows (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest),
Natalie Holmes (Laurel, Md./Archbishop Spalding), and
Mackenzie Gebhardt (Pennsburg, Pa./Upper Perkiomen). Over the last three games, the Huskies have outshot their opponents, 110-14. Hoelke leads the team with three goals and three assists for nine points. She is eighth in the PSAC in points per game (1.50) and is tied for third in assists with three. Sophomore
Nicole Varano (Mt. Carmel, Pa./Mt. Carmel), who did all of her damage in the first two games of the season, has three goals for six points on the year. She is tied for third in the league in game-winners with two. Gebhardt and junior
Jamie Marsico (Elizabethtown, Pa./Elizabethtown) have contributed two goals for four points each and are tied for third on the team in scoring. Senior
Jessica Milligan (Perkasie, Pa./Pennridge) and junior
Christina Podpora (Elysburg, Pa./Southern Columbia) are tied with Hoelke for the team lead in assists with three. In goal,
Jenna Hawkins (Fleetwood, Pa./Fleetwood) has played all but 31:20 during the season and is 5-1 with a 0.34 goals against average and a .909 save percentage. She is tied for third in the PSAC with three shutouts and ranks fourth in goals against average and fifth in save percentage.
SCOUTING EAST STROUDSBURG
Like Bloomsburg, defense is the calling card for the Warriors as they enter with a 4-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in the division. East Stroudsburg has allowed only one goal on the year - a 1-0 home loss to then-#9 West Chester - and has outscored its opponents by a 13-1 margin. Melissa Herrera leads the team with five goals and an assist for 11 points. She is tied for third in the league in points per game (2.20) and tied for second in goals. Corryn Gamber (one goal, two assists), Haley Skove (two goals), and Monica Wood (two goals) are tied for second on the team with four points apiece. Mauri Jackson has played every minute in goal for the Warriors and sports a 4-1 record with a 0.19 goals against average and a .962 save percentage. She has allowed one goal on 26 shots and is tied for first in the PSAC in shutouts (four) while ranking second in both goals against average and save percentage.
UP NEXT
The Huskies return home on Saturday, September 28, to entertain Lock Haven University at Steph Pettit Stadium. Bloomsburg will celebrate "
Allie Barber (Pittston Township, Pa./Pittston Area) Day" as it will honor the great four-year career of
Allie Barber (Pittston Township, Pa./Pittston Area) prior to opening kickoff which is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
