Orange Set for Exhibition Against Rutgers

Head coach Nicky Adams and the Orange are set to take on Rutgers this Friday.

8/15/2019 3:52:00 PM | Women's Soccer

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse women's soccer team is set to play its second exhibition of the preseason on Friday, Aug. 16 when the team heads to Piscataway, N.J. to play Rutgers. Kickoff for the final preseason tune-up is set for 7 p.m. on Yurcak Field.

Looking Back
Syracuse is coming off a 3-2 loss to Albany last weekend, with the Orange's goals coming from junior Shannon Aviza and Stephanie deLaforcade. Despite the loss, first-year head coach Nicky Adams was pleased with the way her side responded to Albany's attack and continued to create chances throughout the match.

Scouting the Competition
The Scarlet Knights went 11-4-5 (7-1-3 B1G) last season and return a top scoring threat in junior Amirah Ali (10 goals, three assists). Backing her up is Nneka Moneme, who contributed three goals and two assists in 2018.

In goal for her sophomore season is Meagan McClelland, who played in all 20 games for Rutgers last year, recording a .794 save percentage while averaging a 0.64 goals-against average.

A New Era
There's a noticeable excitement in the air this year for Syracuse women's soccer, as for the first time in a decade, the Orange will begin the season with a new coach at the helm. The 'Cuse will look to two-time Conference USA Coach of the Year Nicky Adams to lead them to success. Adams joins the Orange after a 15-year career at Rice University where she started as an assistant coach before advancing up the ranks to ultimately end her tenure as the head coach, a position she held from 2010-18. Adams coached Rice to an 87-55-23 overall record and a 57-25-11 mark in C-USA contests and will look to continue her career success at SU.

Breaking down the Orange
The 2019 Syracuse women's soccer squad is composed of 26 players, led by upperclassmen returners forwards Kate Hostage and Sydney Brackett, and midfielder Georgia Allen. Six freshmen join the program this season, along with graduate student and 'Cuse volleyball standout Santita Ebangwese.

Graduate student: Santita Ebangwese*
Seniors: Brackett, Taylor Bennett, Allen, Victoria Hill
Juniors: Kate Donovan, Molly Nethercott, Kate Hostage, Shannon Aviza, Mackenzie Vlachos, Lysianne Proulx, Clarke Brown
Redshirt Sophomores: Kailee Coonan, Laurel Ness, Stephanie deLaforcade
Sophomores: Ally Wakeman, Abby Jonathan, Jenna Tivnan, Meghan Root
Redshirt freshman: Marisa Fischetti
Freshmen: Michaela Walsh, Alexandra Panaggio, Gianna Villoresi, Kailey Brenner, Teri Jackson, Alex Steigelfest

* denotes newcomer

Syracuse opens the 2019 regular season against Colgate at 7 p.m., Aug. 25 at the SU Soccer Stadium. As always, admission and parking to all Syracuse women's soccer matches is free. Fans unable to make it out to the game will be able to watch the contest live on the ACC Network. Fans unsure if their provider will carry the ACC Network are strongly encouraged to visit https://getaccnetwork.com/ and check. If your provider does not carry ACC Network, we encourage you to contact them and demand they get the ACC Network.

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