RADFORD, Va. – Coming off a 1-1 draw at East Tennessee State in its only exhibition contest, Radford will open its 2010 women’s soccer campaign Saturday with a 7 p.m. match against in-state foe Southern Virginia at Patrick D. Cupp Memorial Stadium.
Entering his 15th season at the helm, Highlander head coach Ben Sohrabi welcomes back 13 letterwinners, including five starters from a team that went 9-11-0, while advancing to the Big South semifinals a year ago.
Trailing 1-0 with under five minutes remaining against the Buccaneers, Radford’s
Maryellen Derenda (Manassas, Va/Osbourn Park) headed in the equalizer off a
Sydney Golden (Lexington, Ky./Paul L. Dunbar) corner kick.
The Highlanders finished their lone preseason tune up with a 15-7 advantage in shots.
Southern Virginia, which finished 6-7-1 last season, lost only one senior and returns three USCAA All-American first-team selections; defender Melanee Guymon, forward Kendra Heim and goalkeeper Mariah Flake.
Tomorrow night’s affair will be the first-ever meeting between the two Commonwealth schools on the pitch.
Radford will enjoy a six-day break before playing its next three contests on the road, beginning with a 4 p.m. match at Francis Marion Aug. 27.