Teams: UC Davis vs. Marist
Records: Aggies, 0-0-1; Red Foxes, 1-0-0
Where: Aggie Soccer Stadium
When: Sunday at noon
Who to watch: The Aggies only averaged one goal per game on offense in 2008.
That is why the play of junior goalkeeper Sarah Peters is important to the Aggies‘ success this season.
The Petaluma, Calif. native had 57 saves and four shutouts last season en route to an all-Big West Conference second team selection.
Starting in all 17 of UC Davis‘ matches, Peters had a 1.12 goals against average and did not allow more than two goals in any game.
Coach MaryClaire Robinson says that last year’s experience in net is going to help Peters this season and adds that her huge punt will help lead to counter attacks on offense.
Did you know: Marist completed only its second double-digit winning season in 2007 as they compiled 11 victories on the year. The Red Foxes followed up the best season in program history by only managing five wins last season. They return 10 starters from that five-win squad.
Preview: The Aggies continue their double-dip of home games to start the season as they play host to Marist College of Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on Sunday.
The Red Foxes come in on the heels of a 2-0 home-opening victory over Youngstown State.
Junior Amy Tillotson and freshman Jackie Frey each notched goals for Marist in the shutout victory.
The Aggies are recently coming off of a home opener themselves.
UC Davis tied 1-1 against rival Sacramento State to begin both teams‘ seasons.
The Hornets drew first blood as sophomore Elece McBride booted the ball through the posts on a feed from junior Cori Shreve in the 71st minute.
The Aggies came back 12 minutes later to even the score back up. Junior Samantha Faber snuck the ball inside the left post off the assist of junior Marisa Boge.
The teams battled it out for two scoreless overtimes before the game was settled in a tie.
Marist will visit San Francisco State on Friday before making its way into Aggie Soccer Stadium.
–Max Rosenblum