Women's Soccer Continues A-10 Play Against Philly Schools

After a conference opening win last Sunday against Rhode Island, the Fordham women's soccer team continues Atlantic 10 play this weekend against the La Salle Explorers and Saint Joseph's Hawks.
 
The Rams travel to Philadelphia for a Friday night showdown with the defending Atlantic 10 champion Explorers.  La Salle enters the contest with a 8-2-1 record and is the first conference match for the Explorers.  La Salle is led by the dangerous scoring duo of Renee Washington and Kelsey Haycock.  Haycock is second the conference in scoring with eight goals and 19 points, while Washington is tied for fifth in the league in scoring with 12 points (5 goals, 2 assists).
 
On Sunday, Fordham is back home to host the Saint Joseph's Hawks at 1:00 PM on Jack Coffey Field.  The Hawks enter the weekend at 4-5-1 overall, 0-1 in the Atlantic 10.
 

LIVE COVERAGE:
Friday – Fordham at La Salle  - Live Stats | Live Video (Subscription Fee) | Follow on Twitter
Sunday – Saint Joseph's vs. Fordham  - Live Stats | Live Video (Subscription Fee) | Follow on Twitter
 
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST LA SALLE: This is the 18^th all-time meeting between Fordham and La Salle with the Rams holding an 8-7-2 record against the Explorers.  Last year, La Salle snapped a seven-match unbeaten streak by Fordham, where Fordham was 5-0-2 in that stretch.  The Explorers won last year's contest 3-2, with the prior two meetings being draws.
 
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST SAINT JOSEPH'S: This will be the 18^th meeting between the Rams and Hawks with Fordham holding an 8-6-3 edge in the series.  Last season, the Hawks posted a 1-0 win over Fordham, which was Saint Joseph's first win over Fordham since 2004.  Fordham was 4-0-2 in the previous six matches.
 
LAST TIME OUT: Fordham'sMaria Lorena Canicatti scored twice, while Kelsey Dougherty Howard added her fourth goal of the season, as the Maroon and White topped Rhode Island, 3-1, at Jack Coffey Field on Sunday in the Atlantic 10 opener for both schools.
 
The scoring started midway through the first half, as Fordham struck first in the 21^st minute.  Ivana Lahcanski hit a long cross to a streaking Maria Lorena Canicatti down the right side of the box.  Canicatti then blasted a shot from ten yards out just inside the left post for her first goal of the season.
 
Fordham's lead was short lived as just four minutes later Rhode Island knotted the game at one.  A long cross from the right side of the field was unable to be caught by Fordham goalkeeper Ally White.  The mishandled ball landed right in front of Ari Stanton, who knocked it into the net for her first goal of the year.
 
The game went into the half tied at one, but it wouldn't be for long as Fordham scored twice in a span of 22 seconds to take a 3-1 lead.
 
First, it was Jessica Widmann making a run to the left post in the 53rd minute.  Widmann laid off a pass right in center of the box for Kelsey Dougherty Howard.  Dougherty Howard then pounded home a shot into the right side of the goal from 10 yards out for her fourth tally of the year.
 
Just 22 seconds later, Canicatti gave Fordham an insurance marker at 3-1.  As Widmann and a Rhode Island defender battled for the ball in the box, Canicatti snuck in, took the ball away, and quickly scored from ten yards out to the left side of the goal for her second goal of the game.
 
Fordham would hold on for the two-goal win, limiting Rhode Island to just three shots in the contest.

WHO'S NEXT: After this weekend, the Fordham women's soccer team will next be in action on Friday, October 11^th, when the Rams travel to VCU for a 5:00 PM match.