Thursday, September 14
Amherst, MA
4 p.m.
George Washington University
at
UMass
Women’s Soccer Opens A-10 Play with UMass, Fordham
9/13/2023 9:34:00 AM | Women's Soccer
WASHINGTON – Following a 3-3 draw with American, the George Washington women's soccer team is set to open A-10 play on Thursday when it travels to UMass for a 4 p.m. match. Later this week, Revolutionaries will host Fordham on Sunday for a 1 p.m. contest at the GW Soccer Field. Both matches will be available on ESPN+.
STANDOUT STARS
Sophomore Aoi Kataoka, an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honoree a season ago, has been lighting it up for GW through seven games this year. Kataoka has a conference-high six assists on the season, which also ranks sixth nationally in Division I. Kataoka also sits third in program history for most assists in a season as well. Aside from assists, Kataoka is also getting it done in other areas of the game. Her eight total points ranks third in the A-10 currently, and she also sits atop the conference in shots per match with a 3.29 average.
First-year Kate McGrath burst on the scene last week to provide GW a spark in its matches against Howard and American. In Thursday's 2-1 loss against Howard, McGrath scored the Buff & Blue's lone goal, the first of her collegiate career. In Sunday's 3-3 draw with American, McGrath continued her stellar play by scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. Not stopping there, she also picked up an assist on GW's final goal of the day. McGrath's stellar play earned her A-10 Rookie of the Week honors, and her seven points currently ranks second on the team, one behind Kataoka.
SCOUTING THE MINUTEWOMEN
UMass enters Thursday's match with an identical record of 3-2-2 through their nonconference slate. Most recently, the Minutewomen dropped a 1-0 match at Rutgers, and is led by Ashley Lamond who currently has eight points with three goals and two assists. GW holds a record of 11-17-3 against UMass all-time, and the Minutewomen have won two-straight matches against the Buff & Blue.
Also making an impact for UMass early this season on offense are Nia Hislop and Bella Recinos. Recinos has two goals through the team's first seven games, while Hislop currently has one goal and two assists. Defensively, the Minutewomen are led by Fiona Kane who was named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 5. Kane anchors a defense that has tallied three shutouts thus far and are currently holding opponents to 0.86 goals per match. In net, UMass is led by Bella Mednoza who has started five of the team's seven matches. Mendoza has 25 saves on the year and boasts a 0.806 save-percentage. Mendoza has allowed six goals on the season and has faced 74 shots.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Fordham enters A-10 play with a record of 2-4-1 and currently holds a three-match losing streak. The Rams will host George Mason on Thursday prior to traveling to the DMV on Sunday to face the Revolutionaries. GW holds a slim 8-7-5 advantage over the Rams all-time, and the Buff & Blue have not lost to Fordham since the 2018 season.
Leading the Rams offensively is Caroline Monahan who has three goals this season. Monahan has 10 shots on goal and leads the team with six total points. Also putting together a strong offensive output is Riley Carroll. Carroll has two goals and one assist on the season, totaling five points on the year. On defense, Fordham is reliant on goalkeeper Kyla King. King has started six of the team's seven matches and has 17 saves on the season. King holds a 0.708 save-percentage on the year and has a goals-allowed average of 1.31.
STANDOUT STARS
Sophomore Aoi Kataoka, an Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team honoree a season ago, has been lighting it up for GW through seven games this year. Kataoka has a conference-high six assists on the season, which also ranks sixth nationally in Division I. Kataoka also sits third in program history for most assists in a season as well. Aside from assists, Kataoka is also getting it done in other areas of the game. Her eight total points ranks third in the A-10 currently, and she also sits atop the conference in shots per match with a 3.29 average.
First-year Kate McGrath burst on the scene last week to provide GW a spark in its matches against Howard and American. In Thursday's 2-1 loss against Howard, McGrath scored the Buff & Blue's lone goal, the first of her collegiate career. In Sunday's 3-3 draw with American, McGrath continued her stellar play by scoring two goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. Not stopping there, she also picked up an assist on GW's final goal of the day. McGrath's stellar play earned her A-10 Rookie of the Week honors, and her seven points currently ranks second on the team, one behind Kataoka.
SCOUTING THE MINUTEWOMEN
UMass enters Thursday's match with an identical record of 3-2-2 through their nonconference slate. Most recently, the Minutewomen dropped a 1-0 match at Rutgers, and is led by Ashley Lamond who currently has eight points with three goals and two assists. GW holds a record of 11-17-3 against UMass all-time, and the Minutewomen have won two-straight matches against the Buff & Blue.
Also making an impact for UMass early this season on offense are Nia Hislop and Bella Recinos. Recinos has two goals through the team's first seven games, while Hislop currently has one goal and two assists. Defensively, the Minutewomen are led by Fiona Kane who was named the A-10 Defensive Player of the Week on Sept. 5. Kane anchors a defense that has tallied three shutouts thus far and are currently holding opponents to 0.86 goals per match. In net, UMass is led by Bella Mednoza who has started five of the team's seven matches. Mendoza has 25 saves on the year and boasts a 0.806 save-percentage. Mendoza has allowed six goals on the season and has faced 74 shots.
SCOUTING THE RAMS
Fordham enters A-10 play with a record of 2-4-1 and currently holds a three-match losing streak. The Rams will host George Mason on Thursday prior to traveling to the DMV on Sunday to face the Revolutionaries. GW holds a slim 8-7-5 advantage over the Rams all-time, and the Buff & Blue have not lost to Fordham since the 2018 season.
Leading the Rams offensively is Caroline Monahan who has three goals this season. Monahan has 10 shots on goal and leads the team with six total points. Also putting together a strong offensive output is Riley Carroll. Carroll has two goals and one assist on the season, totaling five points on the year. On defense, Fordham is reliant on goalkeeper Kyla King. King has started six of the team's seven matches and has 17 saves on the season. King holds a 0.708 save-percentage on the year and has a goals-allowed average of 1.31.
Players Mentioned
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