EDINBORO Fighting Scots (0-0, 0-0 PSAC) at NOTRE DAME (OHIO) Falcons (0-0, 0-0 Mountain East)
Thursday, August 30, 2018 4:00 PM | Mueller Field | South Euclid, Ohio
LINKS: LIVE STATS | VIDEOSTREAM

EDINBORO, Pa. - The Edinboro women's soccer team opens its 2018 season on Thursday, August, 30, when they head on the road for a non-conference match at Notre Dame (Ohio) at 4 p.m.

The Fighting Scots were picked to finish ninth in the PSAC Preseason Coaches Poll. A year ago, the young Fighting Scots went 7-7-3 overall and 6-7-3 in the PSAC. It marked the ninth straight year Edinboro had +.500 record, but was also the first time in eight years where the Scots missed the PSAC Tournament.

The Falcons were voted to win the MEC Northern Division, receiving nine of 10 first-place votes. A year ago, Notre Dame went 14-4-3 overall and 12-2-2 in conference play, and appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament for the second consecutive season. The Falcons picked up the program's first tournament win over Kutztown, before losing to then 18th-ranked West Chester.

Thursday's contest marks the fifth meeting between the two schools, and the first since 2015 when the Fighting Scots defeated the Falcons, 3-1. Edinboro is 4-0 all-time against Notre Dame, however, the Falcons have won their last five season openers. Their last loss coming at Edinboro in 2012.

Edinboro head coach Gary Kagiavas returns for his 23rd season at the helm. The program's lone coach since its inception in 1996, he has compiled a 213-167-37 record. Kagiavas has led Edinboro to the PSAC Tournament in seven of the last eight seasons, and to postseason competition in five of the previous seven campaigns. Entering the 2018 season, his 213 wins rank 24th in Division II history among active head coaches who have coached at the level for at least five years. Additionally, he ranks 38th in career wins among active head coaches who have been at a Division II program for at least a decade.

Notre Dame head coach Mike Shiels enters his 16th year with the Falcons. With a career record of 155-95-19, he has led the program to double-digit wins in 10 seasons overall, including the last five.

Kagiavas will once again lead a youthful team comprised of eight first-year players and 11 second-year players. Last season's top scorer Ashley Mutkus must be replaced, but the next two leading scorers, forwards Rebecca Manns and Danielle Chatten, return. Manns, a redshirt sophomore, had 6 goals and 6 assists for 18 points. Her point total ranked seventh in the conference. Chatten, a junior, concluded the regular season with 7 goals and 3 assists for 17 points. Her 17 points were tied for eighth in the PSAC, while her 7 goals were tied for ninth in the league.

Freshman Anna Voelker, a former standout at Butler High School, steps into goal for the Fighting Scots. She replaces Sarah Baskey, who started the last 52 matches between the pipes for Edinboro, spanning nearly three seasons. Baskey is serving as a student assistant coach for the Fighting Scots.

Notre Dame also has a young team, featuring seven freshmen and 10 sophomores. At the same time, they bring back a lot of experience with 10 seniors, including defender Sarah Grossman and midfielder Katarina Doncevic, both of whom received first team All-MEC First Team last year.

The Fighting Scots return to Sox Harrison Stadium for their home and PSAC opener on Saturday, September 1, against Shippensburg. The match is scheduled to get underway at 2 p.m.