The Emory University Women's Soccer team travels to San Antonio, Texas this weekend to kick off the 2018 slate against Puget Sound and Pacific Lutheran. The games will be played at a neutral location on the campus of Trinity University on Friday, August 31st and Sunday, September 2nd.
The Eagles are coming off their 29th consecutive season and 13th under Head Coach Sue Patberg, finishing the 2017 regular season with a 10-7-1 overall record. Emory welcomes back 20 returners to the 2018 unit as well as 10 freshmen newcomers.
Emory sees six of its top seven scorers return to the fold this season including All-UAA performers in seniors Abby McCarter, Danielle Darius and sophomore Lily Dresner. McCarter paced all Eagle scorers a year ago with four goals and nine assists for 17 points while Darius and Dresner each netted seven points on the campaign. Other top scorers returning for the Eagles include sophomore midfielder Samantha Hilsee (team-high six goals) and junior forwards Caroline Kolski (4G, 1A) and Shivani Beall (3G, 2A).
In addition to Darius and Dresner, the Eagles will bring back senior Nikki Batt (2G, 2A in 18 GP) and junior Paige Santee (17 GP, 13 GS) to anchor the back line which limited opponents to averages of 7.9 shots and 4.2 shots on goal per game and posted nine shutouts. Senior Dani Staffin and junior Haley Pratt will once again hold down the goalkeeper position again for the Eagles in 2018. The duo combined to record a 0.98 goals-again average for the Eagles last season to go along with .760 save percentage.
Joining the Eagles this season will be 10 newcomers hailing from seven different states: Ellen Ziaja (GK/Severna Park, MD), Melika Mohammadi (D/Bethesda, MD), Rachel White (F/Bryn Mawr, PA), Lauren Mahoney (M/D/Brookline, MA), Lindsey Breskow (M/Brentwood, TN), Lindsey Reina (F/Lafayette Hill, PA), Tierney Lanter (D/Belleville, IL), Arielle Williamson (M/Denver, CO), Molly Miller (F/Ponte Vedra, FL) and Emma Platt (GK/Tampa, FL).
Head Coach Sue Patberg enters her 14th season with the program, carrying a 310-136-58 overall record and a 164-49-40 mark with the Eagles. Goalkeeper coach Mike Wentzler is back for his eighth season with the team while first-year assistant Valorie O'Brien rounds out the Eagles coaching staff.