Charleston Opens Conference Play Against The Tribe

Thursday, September 20

Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

7:00 PM

College of Charleston

William & Mary

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Photo by: J. Brett Bennett

9/19/2018 10:57:00 AM | Women's Soccer

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON (5-4-0) vs. WILLIAM & MARY (3-5-0)
Game #10 • Thurs. Sept. 20, 2018 • 7:00 p.m. ET
Charleston, S.C. • Patriots Point Soccer Complex
Series: Charleston trail 0-3-2 overall
Last: Sept. 29, 2017; 0-0 draw

Watch: Charleston Sports Network
Stats: StatBroadcast
Twitter: @CofCWSOC

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The College of Charleston women's soccer team opens 2018 Colonial Athletic Association play with a home matchup against William & Mary on Thursday evening at Patriots Point Soccer Complex.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with tickets $6 for adults and $3 for youth (18 and under). Student entry is free with a valid form of ID.

Scouting William & Mary
The Tribe bring a 3-5-0 record to Patriots Point, falling to VCU and No. 5 Texas A&M in their last two matches. Other losses include a 3-0 defeat to No. 7 Virginia, an overtime loss to Dayton, and a 2-1 loss to Maryland. Wins for William & Mary have come against Bucknell, Liberty and Coastal Carolina (who Charleston defeated 1-0 in August). Another form line the Cougars look too is the Tribe's 3-2 victory over Wake Forest during the preseason slate, with Charleston dropping a 3-2 regular season game in double overtime to the Demon Deacons on Aug. 26.

Series History
This will sixth meeting in history between the programs since the Cougars switch to the Colonial Athletic Association with William & Mary currently undefeated against Charleston. The Cougars trail the Tribe 0-3-2 all-time, the last two matches ending in draws.

Last Meeting with the Tribe
The teams played to a 0-0 draw last season with both having opportunities to take all three points. The sides finished with 15 shots each, Laura Ortega and Kristina Koomen leading the Charleston attack but couldn't find a way past the Tribe's goalkeeper.

Quotable – Head Coach Christian Michner
"We're excited about opening the conference season at home and we are ready for a great game vs. William and Mary. The Tribe has been a power in the CAA for many years and I know we will have to be at our best for 90 minutes to pick up 3 crucial points. The non-conference portion of our season was good prep for the CAA and I know my team is ready to give it their all to try and win a CAA title."

Notables
• Charleston begins its sixth season in the Colonial Athletic Association
• Meredith Tunney is the lone Charleston student-athlete to play every minute of every game this season (821)
• Laura Ortega is five goals from tying the career program record and only two points from the tied-most in program history (59), three from the record outright
• Ortega is also three assists from tying the program record of 22, four from taking the record outright
• Meredith Tunney was named CAA Defender of the Week on Sept. 10
• Talia Colchico scored her first goal of the season, a game-winner, on the road at Winthrop
• Leah Deutsch scored two goals in two games with Mackenzie Crittenberger also scoring her first collegiate goal against Charleston Southern
• Crittenberger scored her second goal in two games in a 2-1 loss to Furman
• On her debut for CofC, freshman Hannah Farmer got her first career assist by setting up Laura Ortega in Charleston's 2-0 win over North Florida
• Kacey Smekrud scored her first collegiate goal on the road at Wake Forest
Maddy Brill-Edwards got her first assist of the season against Coastal Carolina before getting her second against Florida International; she scored her first goal of the season against Charleston Southern
• Senior forward Laura Ortega was named CAA Preseason Co-Player of the Year
• Ortega and senior defender Maddy Brill-Edwards were named CAA Preseason All-CAA selections

Last Time Out
The Cougars fell to Furman 2-1 in Greenville, S.C., with Mackenzie Crittenberger scoring her second goal in two games in the closing stages of the game. The Charleston offense out-shot the Paladins but failed to capitalize with Furman taking a 2-0 lead into the last ten minutes. Laura Ortega grabbed her third assist of the season with a cross to Crittenberger in the 88^th minute but Charleston ran out of time with Furman taking the win.

Record Hunting
CAA Preseason Co-Player of the Year Laura Ortega continues to edge closer to program history. Ortega is five goals from tying the career record of 24 set by Kristin Rhyne (2003-05) and just two points from tying the points record (59, also set by Rhyne). Ortega is currently second in career points with 57, tied fourth in goals with 19 and is third all-time in assists with 19 (three from tying the career record).

Cougars Summary
The College was picked to finish sixth in the Colonial Athletic Association by the league's coaches. Charleston returns 24 letterwinners, including nine starters, while adding 11 newcomers to the roster. The 2018 squad will be led by 2017 All-CAA selection Laura Ortega who led the offense last season with eight goals and five assists; good for 21 points. Senior defender Maddy Brill-Edwards is a Preseason All-CAA selection alongside Ortega who is also the Preseason Co-Player of the Year.