Fullerton, CA—The UC Riverside Women's Soccer Team kicks off its 2015 campaign this weekend with a pair of matches at the Fullerton Tournament presented by Embassy Suites-Brea N. Orange County. On Friday, August 21, the Highlanders take on George Washington at 5 pm PT, and on Sunday, August 23, they tangle with Liberty at 11 am.
The Highlanders return 10 starters from last year's squad which posted the program's first winning season since 2006. Tyler Cunningham is back for her senior season after leading UC Riverside's offense a year ago with three goals and a program single-season record 10 assists. Goalkeeper Elizabeth Silas is also back for her final year in blue and gold. In 2014, she started all 18 matches for the Highlanders, posting a goals against average of 1.24 along with six shutouts.
George Washington is coming off of a 12-6-4 campaign and a tie for fourth in the Atlantic 10 regular season. The preseason coaches poll released last week predicts the Colonials will finish fourth once again. MacKenzie Crowley is GW's top returning scorer with seven goals and two assists, while keeper Miranda Horn returns for her second season between the pipes.
Liberty went 14-4-2 a year ago, including 8-1-1 in the Big South. The Flames were picked to finish atop the conference standings once again in this fall's preseason coaches' poll. Brittany Aanderud (6 goals, 9 assists) is the team's top returning scorer, while the Flames' goalkeeper, Holly Van Noord (0.69 goals against average, 76 saves) was named the Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
This is the first time that the Highlanders have faced George Washington and Liberty.
| Highlanders vs. Colonials & Flames |
| UC Riverside | George Washington | Liberty |
| 2014 Stats & Record | 8-7-3, 3-4-1 | 12-6-1 | 14-4-2 |
| 2014 Schedule & Results | Schedule & Results | Schedule & Results |
| 2015 Stats & Record | Schedule & Results | Schedule & Results | Schedule & Results |
| Roster | Roster | Roster |
| Conference | Big West | Atlantic 10 | Big South |
| Current Streak | W 1 | L 1 | T 1 |
| Last Box Score | W, 1-0
vs. Long Beach State | L, 2-1 (2 OT)
vs. La Salle | T 2-2 (2 OT) 4-5 PKs
vs. High Point |
| Next Opponent | August 28 vs. USC, 7:00 pm | August 23 at Cal State Fullerton, 1:30 pm | August 28 vs. Tennessee, 12:00 pm |
Top Returning Scorer
x
x
x
x | | Tyler Cunningham
Senior
3 goals, 10 assists
16 points | | MacKenzie Cowley
Junior
7 goals, 2 assists
16 points | | Brittany Aanderud
Senior
6 goals, 9 assists
21 points |
Top Returning Goalkeeper
x
x
x
x | | Elizabeth Silas
Senior
18 matches
1.24 gaa, 74 saves | | Miranda Horn
Sophomore
18 matches
0.85 gaa, 81 saves | | Holly Van Noord
Junior
20 matches
0.69 gaa, 76 saves |
| Record vs. | | First Meeting | First Meeting |
| Current Streak vs. | | N/A | N/A |
GAME NOTESTHOSE WHO DO NOT STUDY HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT ITTwo years ago, Big West coaches picked the Highlanders to finish last in the conference. UC Riverside finished third and advanced to the Big West Championship Game before falling to Cal State Fullerton via penalty kicks. Last year, Big West coaches again picked the Highlanders to finish last only to watch as UCR finished in fifth place, one game out of playoff spot. This season, conference coaches pegged UC Riverside to come in eighth place. When will they ever learn.
RARIFIED AIRThe 2013 Highlanders four wins in conference were the second most in the history of the program. The 2003 squad went 5-3-1 en route to a third place Big West finish, while the 2002 and 2005 teams also each won four matches.
| Season | W | L | T | Pts | Place |
| 2003 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 16 | Third |
| 2005 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 15 | Second |
| 2002 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 13 | Sixth |
| 2013 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 12 | Third |
PRESEASON ACCOLADES
Big West coaches named UC Riverside junior forward Tyler Cunningham to the preseason All-Conference Team (story).
FEELING A LITTLE RANK
Last season, for the first time in the history of the program, the UC Riverside Women's Soccer Team found itself ranked in the NSCAA West Region. The Highlanders peaked at fifth midway through the year.
MISSED IT BY THAT MUCH
Each of the Highlanders last six losses have been by just one goal.
HIGHLANDERS HARDWARE
Tyler Cunningham and Amber Marani were both named to the All-West Region Team in 2014 marking the first time since 2004 that the Highlanders had players so honored (story).
LENDING A HELPING FOOT
Tyler Cunningham broke the school record for assists last season finishing the year with 10—four more than Vanessa Chanez and Amber Plumlee, who set the mark in 2004, and teammate Blanca Barrio, who had six assists last year.
YOU OLD BLANKETY-BLANK
The Highlanders recorded seven shutouts in 2014 which is the most for the program since the 2009 squad recorded eight clean sheets.
OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION
The Highlanders 30 goals in 2014 are the fifth most in the history of the program, and the team's goals per match average is the third highest ever. UC Riverisde also accumulated 33 assists—the second highest total in program history.
| Single-Season Team Goals |
| Season | Matches | Goals |
| 2004 | 19 | 45 |
| 2002 | 19 | 36 |
| 2008 | 20 | 32 |
| 2003 | 21 | 31 |
| 2014 | 18 | 30 |
| | |
| Single-Season Team Assists |
| Season | Matches | Assists |
| 2004 | 19 | 39 |
| 2014 | 18 | 33 |
SPREADING THE WEALTHSixteen different Highlanders have dented the back of the net in 2014, which is the most in the history of the program.
