GW Women's Soccer Ranks Third in NSCAA Regional Poll
9/4/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
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NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Women's Mid-Atlantic Poll
WASHINGTON - The George Washington women's soccer team has earned a No. 3 ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA)/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Women's Mid-Atlantic Poll, the organization announced after the second week of competition.
With a 3-0 record to open the season, GW is off to its best start since 2007. All three of the Colonials' wins have come as shutout victories as they blanked Mount St. Mary's (6-0), Old Dominion (1-0 [OT]) and Loyola (Md.) (3-0).
GW ranks third in the regional poll behind James Madison (3-0) and Boston University (3-1), and sits ahead of Atlantic 10 foes Dayton (2-1-1) at No. 4 and Fordham (3-1) at No. 9. The Colonials nearly improved to 4-0 last weekend as they led William & Mary, 2-0, at halftime, but due to several lightning delays the match was canceled after not reaching the 70th minute of play.
The squad is paced on the young season by junior Kristi Abbate (2g, 1a) with five points and senior Meg Murphy (2g) and junior Kyla Ridley (2g) with four points apiece. Seven other Colonials players have recorded at least one point through the first three games - sophomore MacKenzie Cowley (1g, 1a), rookie Brittany Cooper (1g, 1a), junior Nicole Belfonti (1g, 1a), redshirt freshman Camille Roberts (1g), senior Sydney Morris (1a) and freshmen Annika Johnson (1a) and Ingrid Di Clemente (1a).
The Buff and Blue's stout defense has not allowed a goal this season, and redshirt freshman keeper Miranda Horn has recorded 11 saves on 21 shots faced in 243 minutes of work. Horn sits atop the conference in shutouts and is tied for the league lead in goals-against average (0.00) and save percentage (1.000).
GW looks to remain unbeaten when it travels to Lynchburg, Virginia, on Sunday for a 4 p.m. match against Liberty.
