After three exhibition contests, the Fordham women's soccer team kicks off its regular season this weekend with two local contests, as the Rams play at Manhattan on Friday night and at St. John's on Sunday afternoon. The match against St. John's will be available on ESPN3.com.
LIVE COVERAGE:
Friday - Fordham at Manhattan - Live Stats | Live Video (PPV) | Follow on Twitter
Sunday – Fordham at St. John's - GameTracker | Live Video on ESPN3.com | Follow on Twitter
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST MANHATTAN: This is the 21st all-time meeting between the Rams and the Jaspers in the annual "Battle of the Bronx" match-up. Fordham holds a 12-7-1 record in the previous 20 meetings with Fordham capturing wins in four of the last five contests. The two squads met last year at Jack Coffey Field with the Rams posting a 1-0 win on a game-winning goal by Kaitlyn Carballeira.
SERIES HISTORY AGAINST ST. JOHN'S: This is the 14th all-time meeting between the Rams and the Red Storm, with St. John's holding a 8-2-3 series lead. The two squads met last year at Jack Coffey Field with the Red Storm taking a 2-0 decision.
LAST TIME OUT: The Fordham University women's soccer team closed out a busy week of three exhibition games on a high note, using a Kristina Maksuti second half goal to defeat FDU, 1-0, on Jack Coffey Field.
On the game winner, freshman Brianna Blunck lined up for a free kick just inside the midfield stripe following an FDU foul. She played the ball into the box where Maksuti was able to get a foot on the ball and redirect it past FDU keeper Felicia Burr with just under 18 minutes left to play.
Following the goal, the Fordham defense dug in and didn't allow the Knights any legitimate scoring chances.
Scoring chances were at a premium throughout the game, with the Rams managing four shots and FDU just three.
Fordham's first attempt to get on the board came in the 16th minute when Maksuti one-timed a cross but FDU keeper Sage DoVale was able to make the save.
About four minutes later, a Maria Lorena Canicatti corner kick sailed into the box but the Rams couldn't capitalize nor could Fordham take advantage of a free kick from about 35 yards out a minute later.
With four minutes left before the break, Jessica Melendez went in on the right side but DoVale came off the line to collect the ball before Melendez could find the back of the net.
FDU had a scoring chance a minute later when Giselles Perez one-timed a cross that went through the box before going over the end line.
PRESEASON ACCOLADES: College Sports Madness (CSM) announced its Preseason All-Conference Teams for Atlantic 10 Conference today. Fordham had one selection to the preseason squad, as senior Kaitlyn Carballeira was selected to the Second Team by College Sports Madness.
A three-year starter for the Rams, Carballeira has started every game for Fordham over the last three seasons (57 games) and has been a vital part of Fordham's defense and midfield play.
The East Setauket, New York native has been a part of 17 shutouts by the Fordham defense over her career, while last season, Carballeira saw increased output on offense. She finished the season with a career-high six points, netting two goals and two assists on the year, which included the game-winning goal against Manhattan. She also had an assist on the lone marker in Fordham's marquee win over Maryland, who was receiving votes for the top 25 at the time.
In the preseason Atlantic 10 coaches' poll, Fordham was picked to finish ninth out of 13 teams.
WHO'S NEXT: Following this weekend's action, the Fordham women's soccer team will conclude a three-match road trip at Rutgers on Sunday, September 1st, beginning at 1:00 PM.
