FAIRFIELD, Conn. — The Sacred Heart University women's soccer team continues its non-conference slate this weekend, heading down the Atlantic Coast for a two-game set against tough opposition in Navy and Georgetown. The Pioneers take on the Midshipmen on Thursday, August 22 at 4 p.m. and conclude the weekend with a 1 p.m. kickoff against the Hoyas on Sunday, August 25. More information can be found at sacredheartpioneers.com.
 
Kickin' It
The Pioneer battled more than the opposition last weekend, braving a torrential downpour and further inclement weather that forced a 90-minute match into two separate weather delays, before falling to La Salle 2-1 in Sunday's season opener. 
 
In an electrifying first half that saw three goals, the Pioneers drew first blood as Shea Kelleher's looping, right footed strike made its way past the La Salle keeper and caromed off the far post into the back of the net to give SHU a 1-0 in the first 15 minutes. However, the Explorers found an equalizer under three minutes later before tallying the eventual game-winning goal in the 25^th minute as the game continued on in the downpour. 
 
SHU attempted to mount a second-half comeback, providing flashes of offense after a 30-minute lightning delay forced both teams into shelter in the 57^th minute, but could not usher in the game-tying goal in the waning stages of the match as the Explorers held on to secure a 2-1 victory.  
 
In the loss, Kelleher scored her first goal of the season and her first since tallying a goal in a 3-2 win over Saint Francis (Pa.) last season. First-year's Michelle Shoup, Rylee McGee and MacLaren Richards made their first collegiate starts for SHU while Casey Mulligan made her first collegiate appearance between the sticks, coming on at halftime. Transfer Jessie Stonehouse made her official Pioneer debut as well, logging 65 minutes of game time. 
 
On Navy
The Midshipmen head into Thursday's match with an 0-2 record after starting the season with two close contests against tough competition down in the Lone Star State. In a season-opening battle against UTSA, two set piece conversions from the Roadrunners provided enough insurance to hold the Midshipmen at a bay as a late Amanda Graziano goal could not spark a comeback in a 2-1 loss. Navy continued its trek down south, falling in the scorching Texas heat to Rice, 2-1, in a back-and-forth affair that saw a transition goal from Rice's Natalie Gorji in the 71^st minute give the home side the win. 
 
Connecticut native Amanda Graziano and sophomore Hannah Mulholland lead the Midshipmen through the early portion of the season in goals and points with both having tallied a goal apiece in the first two contests of the season. Isabella Romano, who has yet to register a point this season, is the leading returnee in points after finishing the 2023 campaign with 12, courtesy of four goals and four assists in 16 games. 
 
In goal, junior Talley Applewhite and freshman Natasha Stamrood have split time through the first two matches with both having surrendered two goals apiece while combining for 18 saves. Applewhite appeared in three matches last season and is the lone returnee to see minutes after Navy lost senior starter Mattie Gallagher, who appeared in 17 games and recorded seven of the Midshipmen's nine total wins last season. 
 
Navy is led by Carin Gabarra who enters her 32^nd season with the Midshipmen, earning a 379-181-64 record during her tenure. Gabarra played collegiate soccer as a forward at UC-Santa Barbera and was a member of the U.S. Women's National Team that won gold at the 1996 Olympics. Thursday's match marks the first-ever meeting between the two programs.  
 
On Georgetown
Georgetown enters the matchweek with two contests against Connecticut squads, taking on fellow Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) opponent Quinnipiac on Thursday, August 22 before hosting the Pioneer on Sunday afternoon. The Hoyas are coming off a 0-0 draw against Vanderbilt last Thursday and open the season with six-consecutive matches at home. Natalie Means led the Hoyas with two shots on frame while goalkeeper Anna Karpenko earned BIG EAST Honor Roll kudos for her three-save combined shutout of the Commodores.
 
A perennial NCAA Tournament team, the Hoyas went 13-2-7 last season and clinched a share of the BIG EAST regular season championship and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament last season. Natalie Means returns for her junior season as the leading returner in points after tallying 10 last season with five goals. Henley Tippins and Eliza Turner return to the squad after grabbing three assists each last season. 
 
In goal, Cara Martin returns for her junior season, getting the start last week against Vanderbilt as her 12^thcareer start. The Alexandria, Va., native has accounted for 28 saves in her career while allowing 10 goals. Splitting the time in between the sticks is graduate student Anna Karpenko who made three saves last weekend. 
 
Dave Nolan enters his 21^st season with the Hoyas and has amassed a 271-92-62 record. The Hoyas were picked first in the BIG EAST Preseason Coaches' Poll for a consecutive year, grabbing 10 of a possible 11 votes. This Sunday's meeting is the first ever meeting between the two squads.