Women’s Soccer Set for Opening Weekend

8/13/2018 11:33:00 AM | Women's Soccer

Colonials clash with Pacific to kick off 2018

KICKING OFF: The George Washington women's soccer squad opens the 2018 season on Thursday at 5 p.m. by welcoming Pacific to the GW Soccer Field on the Mount Vernon Campus before hitting the road to face Liberty for a 1 p.m. bout on Sunday.

NEW ERA: The Colonials will have a new look this season as head coach Michelle Demko embarks on her first season in the Buff and Blue. Demko, who has experience coaching at the highest levels collegiately and internationally, comes to GW after an eight-year stint as head coach at UNC Asheville, where she built a competitive program that increased its win total in each of her first six seasons at the helm. Demko is joined by assistant coaches Kate Dylag and Zak Davis.

STACKED SCHEDULE: The Colonials will look to contend for the conference crown after reaching the Atlantic 10 Championship for the fifth consecutive season with the help of a strong schedule that features a pair of top-25 opponents. After splitting its opening weekend at home and on the road, GW will kick off a three-match homestand on the Vern against Delaware (August 23, 5 p.m.), Stetson (August 26, 1 p.m.), and defending Big East regular season and tournament champion Georgetown (August 30, 5 p.m.). The Buff and Blue will open play in September with its second straight top-25 opponent, traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina to face N.C. State (Sept. 6, 7 p.m.), before visiting Maryland (Sept. 9, 7 p.m.) and closing out the non-conference slate at home against James Madison (Sept. 16, 3 p.m.).

BACK TO BUSINESS: After a strong 2017 season defined by defense, the Colonials will look to become a stronger threat on both sides of the ball with the return of 21 letterwinners and the addition of seven newcomers in 2018. Despite graduating a pair of top performers in Brittany Cooper (4g, 4a) and Miranda Horn (0.47GAA, 89 saves), GW returns nine starters from last year's squad that posted a 10-5-4 record.

DEPTH IN DEFENSE: After posting one of the top defenses in the A-10 with a league-best 0.47 GAA and eight shutouts in conference action, the Colonials return a strong back line that features All-Conference Second Team honoree Megan McCormick, Deena DeSilva, Dani Frese, Olivia Di Cristofaro, and Allie Nornes. Joining the Buff and Blue defense are first-years Hannah Zaluski and Madi Coyne.

ON THE ATTACK: Sofia Pavon will look to lead GW on the offensive end for the second straight season after pacing the team with 18 points (8g, 2a) and earning All-Conference First Team honors in 2017. The Colonials will also lean on All-Rookie Team honoree Alexis Williams (4g, 3a), Natalie Silberman (1g, 1a), Charley Prevost (1g), Tuhina Dasgupta (2a), and Mia Barreda (2a). Maria Pareja, Beth Ellinport, and Alexandra Filipkowski will look to energize the GW front line in their first season bearing the Buff and Blue.

BETWEEN THE POSTS: With the loss of netminder Miranda Horn, the Colonials will look toward their trio of keepers to protect the cage in 2018. Anna Tapen returns to the pitch after sitting out last season due to injury and will compete for the starting spot against sophomore Kenzie Kilgallen and first-year Erica Lorenzana. Tapen saw action in three contests in 2016 and will provide leadership for the young core of keepers who all have the potential to lift the Colonials to victory this season.

DEMKO'S DETAILS: Demko sat down with GWSports.com to discuss her collegiate and professional career, coaching style, and goals for the 2018 season. [Read More]