JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - North Florida women's soccer opens its 2017 slate Friday against Elon at 7 p.m. before taking on Charleston Southern at 11 a.m. on Sunday. Both games take place at Hodges Stadium.
SHORT STORY: The Ospreys open their campaign at home with 11 newcomers on the 2017 roster. North Florida returns three of its top goal scorers in
Krista Colubiale,
Katy Mixon and
Sarah Wasser.
2017 Top Returning Statistical Leaders
Games Started: Krista Colubiale &
Sarah Wasser (17)
Points: Krista Colubiale (14),
Katy Mixon &
Sarah Wasser (11)
Goals: Krista Colubiale &
Katy Mixon (5),
Sarah Wasser (3)
Assists: Sarah Wasser (5),
Krista Colubiale (4)
CONFER CORNER
The Ospreys enter their fourth season under the direction of head coach,
Robin Confer. Last season, the Ospreys finished 6-9-2 for the most wins under Coach Confer and reached the quarterfinals of the ASUN Championship.
HOME OPENERS
UNF is looking for the tides to change on its home turf as the Ospreys are gunning for their first home opening victory under coach Confer. North Florida came up just short in Confer's inaugural season when the Ospreys dropped a 4-3 game to High Point.
NEW FACES IN THE CROWD
North Florida welcomes 11 newcomers to the 2017 squad including five transfers. The fresh faces add depth to the Ospreys roster in every position.
ABOUT ELON
- The Phoenix were picked tied for eighth in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) preseason poll, while two players earned honorable mention honors in defender Kendall Ballotti and midfielder Grace Bennett.
- Ballotti was an All-CAA selection in 2016 after recording three goals and an assist as a center back. She helped Elon to three shutouts last season and had a team-high 1,581 minutes.
- Bennett started all 18 matches last year and notched a goal and assist as a center midfielder. The Phoenix return 19 players including nine starters, while adding 10 new faces to the team.
- Tori Baliatico and Taylor Paradoski are two of the top returners as the duo combined for seven goals and an assist last season.
SERIES HISTORY
North Florida leads the series 2-1-1, but the last time the two teams met the Phoenix grabbed a 1-0 win in 2015. This will be the first meeting since 1996 in Jacksonville, Fla. against Elon.
ABOUT CHARLESTON SOUTHERN
- The Buccaneers are coming off a 6-11-1 campaign which included a 2-6-1 slate in the Big South.
- CSU returns seven players who started at least 10 games in 2016, a group led offensively by Jordan Newman (five goals, 11 points) and Lydia Frierson and Kelly Hinkle, who tied for the team lead with three assists.
- The Bucs are looking to replace Anna Sells, who finished her career tied for fourth in school history with 31 goals.
- Goalkeeper Alyssa Dellacqua is back after registering 31 saves and a 2.22 goals against average in five starts a year ago.
SERIES HISTORY
Charleston Southern owns a 2-0 advantage against the Ospreys with both meetings coming in Charleston. The Bucs dropped UNF 3-0 last season and grabbed a 1-0 win in 2014.
UP NEXT
Following a season-opening home weekend, UNF hits the road for a pair of matches at UNC Asheville (Aug. 25) and Winthrop (Aug. 27). The Ospreys next home contest comes Sept. 1 against FIU.
