Thursday, September 21
Washington, DC
3 p.m.
George Washington University
vs
La Salle
Women’s Soccer Continues A-10 Play with La Salle, Loyola Chicago
9/20/2023 12:23:00 PM | Women's Soccer
WASHINGTON - Following conference-opening matches against UMass and Fordham, the George Washington women's soccer team is set to host La Salle on Thursday at 3 p.m. Later this week, the Buff & Blue will travel to Loyola Chicago for a 2 p.m. match on Sunday afternoon. Both contests will be available to stream on ESPN+.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Through nine games this season, the Buff & Blue have enjoyed a balanced attack on offense that has produced 11 different goal scorers thus far. Headlining the offense is first-year Kate McGrath who has a team-high three goals on the year. All three of McGrath's goals came in a two-game stretch, earning herself A-10 Rookie of the Week honors on Sept. 13. Along with McGrath, GW has four different players with two goals each, and six more players with one goal on the year. Sophomore Aoi Kataoka, the conference's leader in shots with 30, has a team-high eight points which includes one goal and six assists. Kataoka currently sits in a tie for the conference lead in assists and is also tied for 13th in Division I as well.
CHECKING THE CONFERENCE RANKS
Out of the 15 teams in the A-10, GW ranks near the top in numerous statistical categories this season. The Buff & Blue currently sit in third place with 17 total goals on the season, while also ranking third in scoring average at 1.889. The Revolutionaries also rank third in the conference in win margin at an average of 0.56, and GW currently sits in third with 158 shots on the year. Defensively, GW ranks second in the conference in saves with 52, and currently sit sixth with only 12 goals allowed on the year.
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS
La Salle enters Thursday's match with a record of 2-5-2 and most recently fell to 24th-ranked Saint Louis 4-0 last Sunday. GW has a 15-11-1 record against La Salle all-time, including a 12-11-1 mark since the Explorers joined the A-10. The 15 wins against La Salle is the second most wins the Buff & Blue have compiled against one opponent, sitting just behind their win total of 16 against St. Bonaventure. Despite the winning record against the Explorers all-time, La Salle has won the past two matchups against GW dating back to the 2021 season.
The Explorers are led by Elizabeth Estrada who has a team-high five points on the year, including one goal and three assists. Also playing well for La Salle through the first half of the year is Emily Banashefski who has one goal and two assists through the team's first nine games. Defensively, the Explorers rely on Michela Auguardo and Gabby Neal to split time in goal. Auguardo has six starts on the season with 34 total saves, while Neal has three starts and seven saves. Auguardo currently holds a record of 0-4-2 and has a save percentage of 0.694, while Neal boasts a record of 2-1-0 in goal and holds a save percentage of 0.583.
SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS
Loyola Chicago, the newest member of the A-10, hosts GW on Sunday for just the second meeting all-time between the two programs. Last season marked the first match between the schools, resulting in a 3-0 victory for the Ramblers. Sunday's match will also mark the first time the Revolutionaries will travel to Loyola Chicago after hosting the Ramblers last season. Loyola Chicago currently holds a record of 4-5-1 after playing Duquesne to a scoreless draw last Sunday. Before hosting the Revolutionaries, the Ramblers will play host to Saint Joseph's on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Leading the way for the Ramblers this season is Taylor Harrison who sits tied for third in the A-10 with four goals on the year. Of Harrison's four goals, two have been game-winning scores, the most in the conference. Along with Harrison, Loyola Chicago has enjoyed production from Zoe Hevey who has two goals and three assists on the season. Hevey ranks third in the A-10 in shots with 27 and in shots on goal with 15. Defensively, the Ramblers are led by Naya Lipkens whose started all 10 matches in goal this season. Lipkens has 35 saves on the year and currently holds a 0.700 save percentage on 110 shots faced.
SPREADING THE WEALTH
Through nine games this season, the Buff & Blue have enjoyed a balanced attack on offense that has produced 11 different goal scorers thus far. Headlining the offense is first-year Kate McGrath who has a team-high three goals on the year. All three of McGrath's goals came in a two-game stretch, earning herself A-10 Rookie of the Week honors on Sept. 13. Along with McGrath, GW has four different players with two goals each, and six more players with one goal on the year. Sophomore Aoi Kataoka, the conference's leader in shots with 30, has a team-high eight points which includes one goal and six assists. Kataoka currently sits in a tie for the conference lead in assists and is also tied for 13th in Division I as well.
CHECKING THE CONFERENCE RANKS
Out of the 15 teams in the A-10, GW ranks near the top in numerous statistical categories this season. The Buff & Blue currently sit in third place with 17 total goals on the season, while also ranking third in scoring average at 1.889. The Revolutionaries also rank third in the conference in win margin at an average of 0.56, and GW currently sits in third with 158 shots on the year. Defensively, GW ranks second in the conference in saves with 52, and currently sit sixth with only 12 goals allowed on the year.
SCOUTING THE EXPLORERS
La Salle enters Thursday's match with a record of 2-5-2 and most recently fell to 24th-ranked Saint Louis 4-0 last Sunday. GW has a 15-11-1 record against La Salle all-time, including a 12-11-1 mark since the Explorers joined the A-10. The 15 wins against La Salle is the second most wins the Buff & Blue have compiled against one opponent, sitting just behind their win total of 16 against St. Bonaventure. Despite the winning record against the Explorers all-time, La Salle has won the past two matchups against GW dating back to the 2021 season.
The Explorers are led by Elizabeth Estrada who has a team-high five points on the year, including one goal and three assists. Also playing well for La Salle through the first half of the year is Emily Banashefski who has one goal and two assists through the team's first nine games. Defensively, the Explorers rely on Michela Auguardo and Gabby Neal to split time in goal. Auguardo has six starts on the season with 34 total saves, while Neal has three starts and seven saves. Auguardo currently holds a record of 0-4-2 and has a save percentage of 0.694, while Neal boasts a record of 2-1-0 in goal and holds a save percentage of 0.583.
SCOUTING THE RAMBLERS
Loyola Chicago, the newest member of the A-10, hosts GW on Sunday for just the second meeting all-time between the two programs. Last season marked the first match between the schools, resulting in a 3-0 victory for the Ramblers. Sunday's match will also mark the first time the Revolutionaries will travel to Loyola Chicago after hosting the Ramblers last season. Loyola Chicago currently holds a record of 4-5-1 after playing Duquesne to a scoreless draw last Sunday. Before hosting the Revolutionaries, the Ramblers will play host to Saint Joseph's on Thursday at 7 p.m.
Leading the way for the Ramblers this season is Taylor Harrison who sits tied for third in the A-10 with four goals on the year. Of Harrison's four goals, two have been game-winning scores, the most in the conference. Along with Harrison, Loyola Chicago has enjoyed production from Zoe Hevey who has two goals and three assists on the season. Hevey ranks third in the A-10 in shots with 27 and in shots on goal with 15. Defensively, the Ramblers are led by Naya Lipkens whose started all 10 matches in goal this season. Lipkens has 35 saves on the year and currently holds a 0.700 save percentage on 110 shots faced.
Players Mentioned
Midfield
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