Women's Soccer | August 15, 2018
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's soccer team opens the 2018 regular season hosting Detroit Mercy on Friday at 5 p.m. at the WMU Soccer Complex, and then traveling to the University of Michigan on Sunday for a 2 p.m. kickoff.
The Broncos are coming off 2-2 tie against Valparaiso in an exhibition match back on Aug. 8 and are looking for a strong start to the season under new head coach Sarah Stanczyk. Stanczyk comes to WMU from DePaul University, where as an assistant coach she helped build the Blue Devils into a Big East power. Stanczyk, who was in charge of the defense at DePaul, helped improve the team's goals against average from 67th in the nation in 2014 to 16th in 2015. Thirteen Blue Demon defenders earned All-Big East honors under Stanczyk and she helped the program to Big East championships in 2014 and 2016.
FOLLOW ALONG LIVE
Can't make it to the WMU Soccer Complex? Friday's game will be streamed live on ESPN+. For more information and to sign up, click here. Sunday's game will have live stats available at mgoblue.com.
SCOUTING THE TITANS
Detroit returns its second-leading scorer from a team that went 4-13-1 last season. Sophomore midfielder Kelli Doyle had nine points on four goals and one assists as a freshman. Fellow sophomore Rachel Russo scored four goals in 12 games last season as a forward. While the underclassman provided the scoring last season, senior goalkeeper Marina Manzo has been a steady force on defense. Manzo has played 60 games in her career, with a 24-30-4 record and 17 total shutouts.
SCOUTING THE WOLVERINES
Michigan opens the regular season hosting Boston University on Thursday, before welcoming the Broncos. Last season the Wolverines went 6-6-6 overall and 3-5-3 in the Big 10. U of M returns its top scorer in senior forward Reilly Martin. Last season she tallied a team-best six goals and was one of five Michigan players with five assists, for 17 total points. Sophomore Midfielder Sarah Stratigakis finished second on the team after posting 11 points on three goals and five assists as a freshman. Sophomore Hillary Beall is the only Wolverine returning with any time between the sticks. Last season she made six starts and finished with a 2-2-2 record, including one shutout.
ON THE HORIZON
Western Michigan returns home to host Purdue Fort Wayne on Thursday at 5 p.m. and then welcomes Wright State on Sunday at 1 p.m. Both games will be streamed live at www.wmubroncos.com/watch.
