MATCH #1
George Fox (0-0) at Western Oregon (0-0)
Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016, at 3:30 p.m. PT
Monmouth, Ore. — WOU Soccer Field
LIVE STATS
 
MONMOUTH, Ore. — The whistle to officially kick off the 2016 Western Oregon women's soccer season is rapidly approaching.
 
Following a breakeven season in 2015, WOU will seek to begin the new competition season with a victory on its home pitch on Thursday. The Wolves host the Bruins of George Fox University at 3:30 p.m. in the 2016 home opener.
 
FAMILIARITY AND SOMETHING NEW
The Wolves' roster in 2016 features 15 letterwinners from last year's roster, but only three starters that appeared in ever match. Seniors Mariah Konyn (1 goal, 2 assists), Taylor Higa (2 goals, 2 assists) and Dani Payne (1 goal) will see returning reserves assume starting spot and featured newcomers to bolster the WOU attack. Allison Sprecher is the club's returning leader in scoring with three goals over 17 matches. Highlighting the newcomers is Salem native Meli Cortez, who returns to the Willamette Valley after playing two seasons at Division I Idaho. Youth will also be prevalent for the Wolves as 10 freshman comprise nearly half the roster.
 
YOUTH IN GOAL
Speaking of the freshmen, two will be charged with protecting shots from opponents this year for WOU - Caitlyn Kastelic (Hillsboro) and Samantha Harris (Tualatin). Kastelic was a three-time league selection at Glencoe High School while Harris anchored the back line for perennial power Tualatin.
 
SISTER, SISTER
Mariah Konyn will have a familiar familial face with her on the WOU women's soccer team this season as her sister, Selene Konyn, joins the squad. Selene was a Midwestern League 1^st-team selection, 2^nd-team all-Oregon honors and a product of the Eugene Timbers Futbol Club.
 
HOME BEFORE A TOUGH TRIP
Western Oregon will open at home for the fifth consecutive season. Over the last four years, WOU is 3-1 in their opening game while outscoring opponents 15-2. Last year, the Wolves rolled to a 7-0 victory over Warner Pacific. After Thursday's match, WOU will play three straight on the road in California beginning Wednesday, Sept. 7 against Academy of Art in San Francisco. The trip concludes with two matches on Friday and Sunday in Turlock against host Stanislaus State and against Fresno Pacific in a neutral site match.
 
ABOUT GEORGE FOX
The Bruins (0-0) are coming off a 5-13-2 record in 2015 and are looking to continue its building on potential and confidence. Despite a youthful roster, the George Fox team returns some firepower. Sophomore Savannah Moisan was a second-team All-NWC selection after leading the club with five goals last year. Cory Hand enters his fourth year as head coach with a 11-42-7 overall coaching mark.
 
All-time Series: George Fox leads 3-2. Western Oregon has won the last two meetings.
Last Meeting: 2006, Western Oregon won 3-1.