MATCH #2
Western Oregon (1-0) at Academy of Art (0-2)
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2016, at 12 p.m. PT
San Francisco, Calif. — Beach Chalet Soccer Field
LIVE STATS/VIDEO
 
MATCH #3
Western Oregon (1-0) at Stanislaus State (3-0)
Friday, Sept. 9, 2016, at 7 p.m. PT
Turlock, Calif. — Warrior Stadium
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
 
MATCH #4
Western Oregon (1-0) vs. Fresno Pacific (0-1)
Sunday, Sept. 11, 2016, at 2 p.m. PT
Turlock, Calif. — Warrior Stadium
LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO
 
Win a home victory in the record books, the Western Oregon women's soccer team takes their first extended road trip of the season to Northern California. The three-match stint begins Wednesday in San Francisco as the Wolves will face Academy of Art at the Beach Chalet Soccer Field at 12 noon. Beginning Friday, WOU plays in the Warrior Challenge, hosted by Stanislaus State. The host Warriors will be the opponent on Friday at 7 p.m. while the Sunbirds of Fresno Pacific await on Sunday at 2 p.m. in Turlock for a neutral site match.
 
HIGA CONNECTS FOR VICTORY
Behind a 51st minute goal from senior Taylor Higa, the Western Oregon women's soccer team defeated George Fox, 1-0, on Sept. 1 at the WOU Soccer Field. The shutout victory was the first for true freshman goalkeeper Caitlyn Kastelic in her first collegiate match.

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 freshmen 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 1st-team selection, 2nd-team all-Oregon honors and a product of the Eugene Timbers Futbol Club.
 
OWLS, VIKINGS AWAIT
The Wolves will have one more non-conference match at home on Wednesday, Sept. 14 hosting Oregon Tech at 3 p.m. After that match, play in the Great Northwest Athletic Conference begins on Saturday, Sept. 17 against nationally-ranked Western Washington in Bellingham at 4 p.m. ART U was selected to finish 10th in the PacWest. 
 
ABOUT ART U
The Urban Knights (0-2) are coming off a pair of road losses to perennial contenders in the GNAC. On Sept. 2, ART U only took two shots in a 2-0 loss at Simon Fraser. Two days later, the results were nearly identical in a 3-0 loss to No. 3 Western Washington in Bellingham. The Urban Knights have five seniors and are led by third-year head coach Katie Awerkamp.
 
All-time Series: First ever meeting
Last Meeting: --

ABOUT STANISLAUS STATE
The Warriors (3-0) have started out the 2016 season strong with three match wins over Northwest Nazarene, Colorado Mesa and Fresno Pacific. Last year's CCAA runner-up, Stanislaus State has a veteran group that has feasted on success, appearing in the CCAA postseason for the last six seasons. Jade Poon leads the way with three goals and two assists so far. Stanislaus State was selected to finish fifth in the CCAA.
 
All-time Series: Stanislaus State leads 3-0. The Warriors have an 11-1 goal advantage in the matches.
Last Meeting: 2010, Stanislaus State won 4-0.

ABOUT FRESNO PACIFIC
The Sunbirds (0-1), out of the Pacific West Conference, lost their lone matchup of the season – a 1-0 shutout at home against Stanislaus State. Despite being outshot 14-10 for the match, FPU had a 6-5 advantage with shots on goal. The Sunbirds were selected to finish sixth in the PacWest, a very competitive league. 
 
All-time Series: First ever meeting
Last Meeting: --