CU Women's Soccer Preview - vs. Cortland State/#14 Middlebury College

Cassidy Marshall

Women's Soccer | 9/15/2023 9:30:00 AM

One final non-league weekend is ahead for the Clarkson University Women's Soccer team and the Golden Knights are preparing themselves for the rigors of the Liberty League slate with challenging games against Cortland State and Middlebury on Saturday and Sunday at Hantz Field.

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The Series: Cortland and Clarkson have faced one another seven times since their first meeting in 2011, with the Golden Knights holding a narrow 3-2-2 edge. Last season, the two teams battled to a scoreless tie. Middlebury's 2-0 victory over Clarkson in Vermont a year ago was the first time that the two teams had ever faced one another in women's soccer.

Key Stats for Clarkson (4-0-1): The Golden Knights have outscored opponents 12-1 so far with a 54-13 edge in shots on goal. Only the game against eighth-ranked Case Western Reserve University resulted in a tie in shots on goal (6-6), while Clarkson has had significant advantages in its other four contests. Molly DiCaprio owns a 0.22 goals against average in 405 minutes, while the steady play of Emily Colby, Arin Bates, and Julia Tylar on defense has helped limit opponents' chances.

Key Stats for Cortland State (3-1-1): The Red Dragons were ranked in the United Soccer Coaches' Preseason poll, but fell out after a 0-1-1 start. Since then, Cortland has won three straight, including a 1-0 victory over Ithaca on Wednesday. Simone Neivel provided the game-winner versus the Bombers and is fourth on the team in scoring, behind Kayla Valerioti (3-2-8), Jayden Kelley (2-0-4), and Tyla Vuotto (2-0-4). Kristen Spendal has a 1.20 goals against average and 12 saves in five contests.

Key Stats for Middlebury (2-0-1): The only blemish on the Panthers this year is a 2-2 tie against 11th-ranked Amherst College. Middlebury, currently ranked 14th in the country, possesses a diverse offense with five players having scored two goals so far. Joely Virzi leads the way with seven points (2-3-7), followed by Emma Binks (2-2-6), and Abby Ward (2-1-5), while both Baldwin Gittens and Chloe Swindle have scored a pair of goals. Sydney Poppinga has allowed only two goals in 195 minutes between the posts.

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Players Mentioned

#20 Emily Colby: M; 5' 9"; Junior

#99 Molly DiCaprio: GK; 5' 7"; Sophomore

#7 Julia Tylar: D/M; 5' 6"; Freshman

#8 Arin Bates: D/M; 5' 6"; Senior

Players Mentioned

#20 Emily Colby
: 5' 9"; Junior
: M

#99 Molly DiCaprio
: 5' 7"; Sophomore
: GK

#7 Julia Tylar
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: D/M

#8 Arin Bates
: 5' 6"; Senior
: D/M