Women’s Soccer Hosts Pair of Ranked Teams This Week

WOMEN’S SOCCER â WEEKLY NOTES â WEEK TEN

DETROIT â Only three games remain on the regular season slate, two of which will be played at home this week when Marygrove women’s soccer hosts NAIA No. 8 University of Northwestern Ohio and No. 17 Siena Heights University. The week-long homestand kicks off Wednesday (Oct. 22) at 3 p.m. when the visiting UNOH Racers bring their 12-0-1 (6-0-0 WHAC) record to Detroit. Siena Heights will make the trip to Marygrove Saturday (Oct. 25) for a 12:30 p.m. kick opposite the Mustangs as first-year head coach Mario Scicluna and crew look to remain in the playoff picture.

Both games will be featured on the Mustang Sports Network with live video and stats streams. Coverage begins approximately 10 minutes prior to each contest on marygrovemustangs.com/live.

A LOOK AHEAD
Marygrove vs. No. 8 University of Northwestern Ohio
Date: Wednesday, October 22
Time: 3 p.m.
Location: Marygrove Soccer Field – Detroit, Mich.
Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats – 2:50 p.m.

Marygrove vs. No. 17 Siena Heights
Date: Saturday, October 25
Time: 12:30 p.m.
Location: Marygrove Soccer Field – Detroit, Mich.
Coverage: Live Video | Live Stats – 12:20 p.m.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET
Marygrove ran into the buzzsaw that was Northwestern Ohio last season, dropping the road conference contest 13-0. The Mustangs fought valiantly against Siena Heights on the road last year, but fell to the Saints by a 3-1 final.

A LOOK AT NORTHWESTERN OHIO
The Racers â one of only two teams in the NAIA yet to suffer a loss â are enjoying a well-rounded season as the nation’s eighth-ranked team. The Racers enter Wednesday’s game with a shutout streak well over 1,000 minutes after last allowing goal on Aug. 29. In all, the Racers have outscored the opposition 45-4 on the season.

A LOOK AT SIENA HEIGHTS
Led by Scott Oliver in his 14th season at the helm, the Saints have put together their best season since the 2009 campaign. Forwards Samantha Bartelotti and Alexis Donnelly lead a potent Saints attack with 17 goals combined.

TOUGHEST WEEK OF THE SEASON
Without question, the upcoming slate of games marks the toughest week of the season for first-year head coach Mario Scicluna and the Mustangs. The week ahead features a pair of matches against NAIA Top-25 teams that boast three losses, combined. Despite the tough slate, the Mustangs will be thinking upset as they prepare for a playoff run.

COACH SCICLUNA’S CORNER
“I thought the girls played well to end the week,” said Scicluna in regards to his team’s performance in a narrow 2-1 loss at Cornerstone. “We were in the game the entire way, and thought we were leaving Grand Rapids with at least a point after Cheyenne [York] knotted the match up late, 1-1. Our defense stood tall once again, making life hectic for the opposing attack,” continued Scicluna. “The end of our schedule is difficult, but I believe our team is ready to prove they belong as a part of theÂ WHAC playoff scene.”

VARNEY MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Hailey Varney, a freshman from Flushing High School and Germany’s Auguste-Pattberg-Schule, has made a difference for the Mustangs so far this season. Varney’s move to the defense has altered games, helping the Mustangs’ back line hold opponents in check for the much of the season’s second half. The freshman has also chipped in offensively, posting one goal on six shots (four on goal).

A PLAYOFF POSSIBILITY
Thanks to a tie against Lawrence Tech and a win over Indiana Tech, the Mustangs are currently sole owners of eighth place in the WHAC. To qualify for WHAC postseason play, teams must finish in the top eight at the end of the conference’s nine-game slate. The Mustangs are currently hanging onto the final playoff spot with Lawrence Tech and Indiana Tech following closely behind. The win and tie earned the Mustangs four points, good for a three-point cushion over Lawrence Tech (1) and one-point edge over Indiana Tech (3).

WATCH GAMES ON-DEMAND
The Mustang Sports Network will stream all home games this year via live video on marygrovemustangs.com/live. Catch all the action live, including a live stats feed, as Jeremy Otto brings you the play-by-play only on the Mustang Sports Network. Want to relive the latest highlight or win? Watch matches on-demand for free anytime by visiting marygrovemustangs.com/live.

WOMEN’S SOCCER CONTACT:Â Tim Johnston | 313-927-1419 |Â [emailÂ protected] /* */Â |Â @tjohnston56
MARYGROVE BROADCASTS:Â Mustang Sports NetworkÂ |Â Twitter
WOMEN’S SOCCER:Â Twitter

Category: Women's Soccer