Box Score GAME 2: NJIT (0-2) at Saint Peter's (0-1)
WHEN: Thu, Aug. 29, 2013, 4 p.m.
WHERE: Jaroschak Field, Jersey City, N.J.
SERIES INFORMATION: NJIT leads 4-2-1
LAST MEETING: NJIT 3, Saint Peter's 0 (8-17-12)
FIRST MEETING: Saint Peter's 0, NJIT 0 (10-21-06)
SERIES STREAK: NJIT won 3
LAST SAINT PETER'S WIN: 1-0 (9-11-09)
opening pitch… Thursday's match between Saint Peter's and NJIT marks the eighth meeting in the all-time series dating back to the 2006 season. The Highlanders have won the last three tilts to take a 4-2-1 advantage in the series, including a 3-0 decision in last year's season opener. The Peacocks last win in the matchup was a 1-0 decision in 2009.
the word on the highlanders… NJIT comes into the contest 0-2 after falling 3-0 to Rhode Island on Sunday. The Highlanders posted 14 goals last season, but only return three players that found the twine in 2012. Junior F Megan Dellavalle registered two goals for four points while junior M Kylie Jones added a goal and an assist for three points and sophomore M/F Madeline Griep found the twine once. Sophomore GK Samantha Bersett has made seven saves and recorded a 2.50 goals against average and a .583 saves percentage this season.
last time we met… NJIT defeated Saint Peter's 3-0 in the season opener on Aug. 17, 2012. Caitlin Hoffer made eight saves for the Peacocks in the loss. Erin Williams-Weir, Gechi Ukaegbu and Marissa Borchke each found the back of the net for the Highlanders.
last time out… Wagner defeated Saint Peter's 3-1 in the women's soccer season opener for both teams on Friday. Greta Vogel, who ranked third on the team last year's notched the Peacocks' lone goal on the afternoon off an assist from Nicole Tafrow. Molly O'Halloran turned away four shots in the loss.
next on tap… Saint Peter's hits the road for the first time this season, traveling to Penn on Sept. 6. The Peacocks will return home for a five-game homestand on Sept. 13 when LIU Brooklyn comes to the 'chak.
making their peacock debut… Juniors Shannon Nutly and Devon Williams, sophomore Kaitlyn Lima and freshmen Ashley Drozd and Molly O'Halloran each made their debut against Wagner on Aug. 23 in the starting lineup. Freshmen Elizabeth Goncalves and Kelsey Roberts made their collegiate debut off the bench against the Seahawks. O'Halloran recorded four saves in her first collegiate start in between the pipes.
moving up the charts… Senior Emily Fenice ranks ninth in program history with 11 goals. She can move into seventh place with two tallies. The senior also ranks 11th in points and can crack the Top-10 with two points.
preseason poll… Saint Peter's has been picked 11th in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Preseason Coaches Poll. Fairfield has been tabbed the preseason favorite while Marist, Monmouth and Rider rounded out the Top-4 teams in the poll. Niagara, Siena, Iona, Quinnipiac, Canisius, Manhattan and Saint Peter's complete the 11-team poll.
aye, aye captain… Seniors Madison Gregory and Maggie Newiswanger have been named team captains for the 2013 season.
new to the flock… Junior Devon Williams and sophomore Kaitlyn Lima come to Saint Peter's after playing for head coach Rob Bielan down the street at New Jersey City University. Freshmen Molly O'Halloran, Jodee Giarratana, Elizabeth Goncalves, Kelsey Roberts, Ashley Drozd and Shannon Nutly each join the team in 2013.
about the coach… Head coach Rob Bielan is in his first season at Saint Peter's. Bielan came to Saint Peter's after a successful seven-year stint down the street at New Jersey City University where he posted a 66-71-2 mark, including 47-35-2 in his last four season with the Gothic Knights.
