Orange Opens Season Friday vs. Hofstra

Syracuse at Penn State Invitational
Game Details	Friday, Aug. 23 \| University Park, Pa. \| 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25 \| University Park, Pa. \| 2:30 p.m.
Game Coverage	Coach Wheddon Preview \| Afonso Preview Live Stats \| Twitter: @suwomenssoccer Preseason Photo Gallery
Syracuse Links	Notes \| News \| Roster \| Schedule
Hofstra Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule
West Virginia Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- The Orange women's soccer team will kick off the 2012-13 campaign for Syracuse Athletics when it opens the season this weekend at the Penn State Invitational. The Orange takes on Hofstra at 5 p.m. on Friday before facing West Virginia on Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

THE SERIES
Friday's contest marks the first meeting between Syracuse and Hofstra. The Orange and Mountaineers are familiar foes, having battled as members of the BIG EAST. West Virginia leads the all-time series, 8-3-2.

2012 IN REVIEW
Syracuse is coming off one of its most successful seasons in school history. The Orange posted a record of 9-7-2 in 2012 for its first winning season since 2003. Syracuse advanced to the BIG EAST Tournament quarterfinals for the second consecutive season. It marked the first time Syracuse has appeared in postseason play in back-to-back years since 1999 and 2000.

ANGHEL RETURNS IN GOAL
Senior Brittany Anghel will be back in goal for the Orange again this season. Anghel was named one of the 30 candidates for the women's soccer Senior CLASS Award on Aug 21. Last season Anghel was named the BIG EAST Goalkeeper of the Year, becoming the first player in school history to earn a conference player of the year award. She was also voted to the All-BIG EAST First Team. Anghel enters the 2013 season ranked second in wins (22) and shutouts (18) and third in saves (225) on Syracuse's al-time record lists. Her 1.02 goals-against average last season was the second-lowest single-season GAA in school history.

BALANCED ATTACK
The Orange had nine different players score goals in 2012. Six of those nine players recorded their first collegiate goal last season. Syracuse returns three of its top five scorers from last season in sophomores Erin Simon (10 pts.), Jackie Firenze (8 pts.) and junior Alexis Koval (7 pts.).

SENIORS LEAD EXPERIENCED BACKFIELD
Three seniors will anchor Syracuse defensive backfield this season. Seniors Rachel Blum, Kayla Afonso and Jackie Moriarty helped the Orange record five shutouts last season. In addition, sophomore Taylor Haenlin started 12 of the 15 games in which she played in 2012. She recorded two assists.

Syracuse University Athletics

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