Saturday, April 17
Saint Louis, MO
1 p.m.
Davidson College Athletics
at
Saint Louis
Photo by: Bill Barrett/ Atlantic 10 Conference
Davidson Eyes A-10 Title Saturday Against Saint Louis
4/16/2021 2:31:00 PM | Women's Soccer
ST. LOUIS — Davidson will play for the Atlantic 10 Conference women's soccer championship Saturday afternoon at Saint Louis, and coach Adam Denton is hopeful his team will embrace it all: the opportunity, the challenge and the moment.
Given how the Wildcats have performed this year, he's confident he'll see them do just that at 1 p.m.
"We will look to play our brand and look to compete," he says. "We've shown we can compete at this level all year, and this just gives us another opportunity to do that again. We're excited. We know it's going to be a challenge, but the players will be ready to go."
The Wildcats, seeded third in the four-team tournament, enter with a 7-3-3 overall record after Thursday's 1-0 semifinal victory over UMass, when Alexandra Menard's goal 25 seconds into the match proved to be the difference.
'Enjoyable' season leads to 'special' opportunity
Davidson's run to its first A-10 final has been years in the making, including the significant strides made during last season's 8-8-3 campaign. But it also comes with the added distinction of happening in mid-April, which is not exactly the typical timing for a fall sports championship.
Of course, the last 13 months have been anything but typical, with COVID-19 impacting everything in the world and in Davidson. But the Wildcats have proven that something special can occur in the midst of adversity.
"I have loved being able to surround myself with women that love what they're doing," says midfielder Sophia Caruso. "It has made one of the toughest years of our young lives enjoyable and given us something to strive for."
The team's camaraderie has helped carry it to new heights. It's a tight-knit group.
"It feels as if I have known and played with these girls my entire life," says defender Keeley Copper. "From cracking jokes in the locker room, to running fitness tests in the middle of August, and now in making it to the championship game of the A-10 Tournament, my teammates and coaches have made this season and my overall experience at Davidson College one that I will never forget."
Picked 11th in the preseason coaches poll, Davidson went 4-2-2 in the A-10 South Division's regular season, earning two victories against both Richmond and George Mason. After losing to VCU and George Washington in the first meetings, the Wildcats played them evenly in the rematches to get critical points.
With many memories already made this spring, the Wildcats are hoping to add a few more Saturday. They're ready to play for a conference championship and a spot in the NCAA postseason.
"Tomorrow's opportunity is special," says goalkeeper Mary Grace Bunch. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete in Davidson's first A-10 championship in this unprecedented year. It is truly a testament to the team's hard work, dedication and unity."
Scouting the Billikens
To win their first A-10 title, the Wildcats will have to beat the league's top team.
Saint Louis (14-1) is seeking its third straight unbeaten A-10 season and the NCAA Tournament bid that comes with it. The Billikens are 34-0-1 against A-10 foes the last three seasons, with their last loss coming to Saint Joseph's in the 2017 A-10 quarterfinals.
"It'll be a great challenge playing them on their home field, but the players are looking forward to the challenge, looking forward to competing against a very aggressive, dynamic team," says Denton. "They're ranked 20th in the country right now for a reason."
SLU had nine players earn A-10 recognition, including Hannah Friedrich (A-10 Offensive Player of the Year), Emily Puricelli (Defensive Player of the Year) and Abbie Miller (Midfielder of the Year). Friedrich leads the league with 20 points, with most of that coming via 14 assists. She, Miller and leading scorer Hannah Larson (8 goals) scored in Thursday's 3-0 semifinal over Dayton.
Given how the Wildcats have performed this year, he's confident he'll see them do just that at 1 p.m.
"We will look to play our brand and look to compete," he says. "We've shown we can compete at this level all year, and this just gives us another opportunity to do that again. We're excited. We know it's going to be a challenge, but the players will be ready to go."
The Wildcats, seeded third in the four-team tournament, enter with a 7-3-3 overall record after Thursday's 1-0 semifinal victory over UMass, when Alexandra Menard's goal 25 seconds into the match proved to be the difference.
'Enjoyable' season leads to 'special' opportunity
Davidson's run to its first A-10 final has been years in the making, including the significant strides made during last season's 8-8-3 campaign. But it also comes with the added distinction of happening in mid-April, which is not exactly the typical timing for a fall sports championship.
Of course, the last 13 months have been anything but typical, with COVID-19 impacting everything in the world and in Davidson. But the Wildcats have proven that something special can occur in the midst of adversity.
"I have loved being able to surround myself with women that love what they're doing," says midfielder Sophia Caruso. "It has made one of the toughest years of our young lives enjoyable and given us something to strive for."
The team's camaraderie has helped carry it to new heights. It's a tight-knit group.
"It feels as if I have known and played with these girls my entire life," says defender Keeley Copper. "From cracking jokes in the locker room, to running fitness tests in the middle of August, and now in making it to the championship game of the A-10 Tournament, my teammates and coaches have made this season and my overall experience at Davidson College one that I will never forget."
Picked 11th in the preseason coaches poll, Davidson went 4-2-2 in the A-10 South Division's regular season, earning two victories against both Richmond and George Mason. After losing to VCU and George Washington in the first meetings, the Wildcats played them evenly in the rematches to get critical points.
With many memories already made this spring, the Wildcats are hoping to add a few more Saturday. They're ready to play for a conference championship and a spot in the NCAA postseason.
"Tomorrow's opportunity is special," says goalkeeper Mary Grace Bunch. "I'm grateful for the opportunity to compete in Davidson's first A-10 championship in this unprecedented year. It is truly a testament to the team's hard work, dedication and unity."
Scouting the Billikens
To win their first A-10 title, the Wildcats will have to beat the league's top team.
Saint Louis (14-1) is seeking its third straight unbeaten A-10 season and the NCAA Tournament bid that comes with it. The Billikens are 34-0-1 against A-10 foes the last three seasons, with their last loss coming to Saint Joseph's in the 2017 A-10 quarterfinals.
"It'll be a great challenge playing them on their home field, but the players are looking forward to the challenge, looking forward to competing against a very aggressive, dynamic team," says Denton. "They're ranked 20th in the country right now for a reason."
SLU had nine players earn A-10 recognition, including Hannah Friedrich (A-10 Offensive Player of the Year), Emily Puricelli (Defensive Player of the Year) and Abbie Miller (Midfielder of the Year). Friedrich leads the league with 20 points, with most of that coming via 14 assists. She, Miller and leading scorer Hannah Larson (8 goals) scored in Thursday's 3-0 semifinal over Dayton.
Players Mentioned
GK
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ Women's Soccer
D
/ Women's Soccer
MF
/ 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
