By: North Florida Athletics
KICKOFF - After starting the season with back-to-back home victories, North Florida women's soccer hits the road for the first time with a visit to The Citadel on Tuesday afternoon at 2 p.m.
PITCH POINTS
- Ospreys last two matches have been canceled due to weather (Kennesaw State) and contact tracing protocol (Georgia Southern) | UNF last played on Feb. 12
- North Florida junior newcomer Ari Munoz was named the ASUN Player of the Week (Feb. 15) after netting a pair of goals in the Ospreys 3-1 victory vs FIU
- Munoz selection marked the second straight week that UNF produced the ASUN POW
- Osprey netminder Mercedes Sapp tallied three saves including a key stop on a PK attempt to secure the win
- Senior Thais Reiss was a part of all three UNF scores, posting a pair of assists before netting her third goal of the season on a PK
- Reiss & Munoz rank first and second in the ASUN for goals scored | They are the league's only players with multiple goals scored
- Reiss also shares the conference lead with 2 assists
- North Florida leads the ASUN in goals and shots | Ospreys have earned the second most corner kick attempts
- 2-0 start to season equals the program's best in the Division I Era (since 2005), matching 2006 when team was undefeated thru first 8 contests
- The Citadel Series: All-time record is 3-1-0 | Last met on Aug. 19, 2018 - The Citadel won 3-2 in Charleston, S.C. | Ospreys are 1-1 in Charleston and 2-0 at home in series
- Last season the Ospreys matched the program's Division I era record at 11-6-2
- North Florida finished with 33 goals, ranking second in the ASUN a year ago
- UNF boasted the program record with a 1.11 GAA
- Head coach Eric Faulconer earned his 250th career victory last season | Faulconer led squads have recorded 10+ wins in 17 consecutive seasons
- Ospreys were tabbed to finish 4th in the preseason ASUN poll
- Thais Reiss was picked the preseason ASUN Player of the Year
- All-ASUN Honors in 2019: Thais Reiss and Hollyn Knight (1st team) | Kendra Hoffman and Leah Ferlin (2nd team) | Devyn Encalada (All-Freshman)
SCOUTING REPORT
- The Citadel is 6-2-2 this year having played 8 matches (4-2-2) in the fall
- Bulldogs are 2-0-0 this spring with wins versus Anderson (4-1) and Jacksonville (1-0)
- The Citadel are unbeaten in 6 straight matches including 5 consecutive wins
- Logan Dix leads the team accounting for 9 of the team's 16 goals scored
- Goalkeeper Jess Newston has posted a 0.89 GAA with 32 saves this year
- Head coach Ciaran Traquair is in his fourth season with the Bulldogs owning a 25-47-2 record
FAULCONER TALES
"I know our team is ready to get back on the field after having our last two matches canceled. We have stressed with the team about the need to adapt to circumstances we cannot control and to stay focused on our long term goals. Tomorrow should be a great game. The Citadel is on a six game unbeaten streak and playing well. The last time our program traveled to Charleston to play them back in 2018, we lost. They have a dangerous forward in Logan Dix and possess a very athletic hard working team. Coach Traquair is an excellent coach and really has the program playing at a high level. With that said, we have only lost three of our last 13 games going back to 2019. I believe we are a very good team as well and we are looking forward to the challenge."
-- Head coach Eric Faulconer
UP NEXT
North Florida continues its road trek with its ASUN debut match at FGCU on Feb. 27 at 4 p.m.
