Sunday, February 21
Cullowhee, NC
3 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
at
Western Carolina
Photo by: Tim Cowie - DavidsonPhotos.com
Women's Soccer Opens Season Sunday On the Road
2/20/2021 12:30:00 PM | Women's Soccer
It's been 482 days since the Davidson women's soccer team played in an official contest, but the Wildcats are set to open the spring 2021 season Sunday on the road at Western Carolina.
The Wildcats are coming off a breakthrough 8-8-3 campaign in 2019, their best season since 2011.
"We're just so excited about the season, having the chance to play against outside competition after basically 15 months," said Adam Denton, entering his fourth year as head coach. "We are coming off a great season, the fall of 2019, which seems so long ago, but the team is excited and ready to compete."
Denton likes the depth, potential and creativity he sees on the field.
The Wildcats return half of their starting lineup in the field, as well as junior goalkeeper Mary Grace Bunch, an Atlantic 10 Second Team pick last year. Bunch ranked second in the conference in saves percentage (.875) and goals against average (0.57).
Seniors Gretchen Pearson and Katherine Smith started all 19 games in the midfield and back, respectively. Sophomores Sophia Caruso, Hailey Braemer and Keeley Copper were regular starters as well, with Caruso playing in the midfield and Braemer splitting time up top and in the midfield. Copper is a defender, and fellow sophomore Grace Voss joins her in the back after starting 13 games as an injury replacement last year.
Braemer and Pearson are the top statistical returners, as each totaled six points a year ago.
The Wildcats have added a freshman class of seven, and Denton expects them to contribute.
"The freshmen seem to have integrated themselves pretty well in a difficult environment, with all of the restrictions and changes on campus," said Denton. "But they seem to have adjusted well to the system of play and the style of play within our team. We're expecting they'll be in position to contribute throughout the year along with the returning players."
Test run
Davidson earned a 5-0 exhibition against Division II Wingate on Feb. 15.
The teams played two 30-minute periods of a scheduled 90-minute match before inclement weather moved in, but it was a productive night for the Wildcats, beyond the scoreboard. The coaching staff got a chance to move players around and see everyone in game action.
"We were happy we were able to battle the elements and get two-thirds of the game in before the lightning came," said Denton. "An exhibition is just what we needed to be able to look at some things as we prepare. We came out of the exhibition really pleased with what we saw."
New A-10 format
The A-10 has split its 14 teams into three divisions, and Davidson joins George Mason, George Washington, Richmond and VCU in the A-10 South.
The Wildcats will play each divisional opponent twice in an eight-game league slate, beginning with a March 7 home match against George Mason.
Dates To Know
Jan. 8: Players returned to campus
Jan. 9: Preseason workouts began
Jan. 19: Team practices began
Jan. 25: Classes began
Feb. 15: Scrimmaged Wingate
Feb. 21: Season opener at Western Carolina
The Wildcats are coming off a breakthrough 8-8-3 campaign in 2019, their best season since 2011.
"We're just so excited about the season, having the chance to play against outside competition after basically 15 months," said Adam Denton, entering his fourth year as head coach. "We are coming off a great season, the fall of 2019, which seems so long ago, but the team is excited and ready to compete."
Denton likes the depth, potential and creativity he sees on the field.
The Wildcats return half of their starting lineup in the field, as well as junior goalkeeper Mary Grace Bunch, an Atlantic 10 Second Team pick last year. Bunch ranked second in the conference in saves percentage (.875) and goals against average (0.57).
Seniors Gretchen Pearson and Katherine Smith started all 19 games in the midfield and back, respectively. Sophomores Sophia Caruso, Hailey Braemer and Keeley Copper were regular starters as well, with Caruso playing in the midfield and Braemer splitting time up top and in the midfield. Copper is a defender, and fellow sophomore Grace Voss joins her in the back after starting 13 games as an injury replacement last year.
Braemer and Pearson are the top statistical returners, as each totaled six points a year ago.
The Wildcats have added a freshman class of seven, and Denton expects them to contribute.
"The freshmen seem to have integrated themselves pretty well in a difficult environment, with all of the restrictions and changes on campus," said Denton. "But they seem to have adjusted well to the system of play and the style of play within our team. We're expecting they'll be in position to contribute throughout the year along with the returning players."
Test run
Davidson earned a 5-0 exhibition against Division II Wingate on Feb. 15.
The teams played two 30-minute periods of a scheduled 90-minute match before inclement weather moved in, but it was a productive night for the Wildcats, beyond the scoreboard. The coaching staff got a chance to move players around and see everyone in game action.
"We were happy we were able to battle the elements and get two-thirds of the game in before the lightning came," said Denton. "An exhibition is just what we needed to be able to look at some things as we prepare. We came out of the exhibition really pleased with what we saw."
New A-10 format
The A-10 has split its 14 teams into three divisions, and Davidson joins George Mason, George Washington, Richmond and VCU in the A-10 South.
The Wildcats will play each divisional opponent twice in an eight-game league slate, beginning with a March 7 home match against George Mason.
Dates To Know
Jan. 8: Players returned to campus
Jan. 9: Preseason workouts began
Jan. 19: Team practices began
Jan. 25: Classes began
Feb. 15: Scrimmaged Wingate
Feb. 21: Season opener at Western Carolina
Players Mentioned
F/MF
/ Women's Soccer
GK
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's SoccerWomen's Soccer Postseason Virtual Event with Captains
Tuesday, December 16
Women's Soccer vs Duquesne - Match Rewind
Monday, January 30
2022 Women's Soccer Preview
Wednesday, August 17
2022 Women's Soccer Preseason
Friday, August 05
