University of Delaware Athletics
Blue Hen Women's Soccer Opens 2016-17 UD Athletics Season Friday at Villanova
8/18/2016 7:06:00 PM | Women's Soccer
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The Hens also advanced to the CAA Tournament in 2011 (semifinals), 2012, and 2013. The team has won seven or more games in 16 of the last 17 seasons, including six straight.
The Blue Hens return the top eight scorers from last season as well as starting goalkeeper Kailyn Rekos and six other full-time starters. Mix in some outstanding freshmen along with several talented redshirt freshmen who sat out last season with injuries and the season looks bright for the Blue Hens.
“It's still early,” said Grzenda, whose team began preseason drills Aug. 5. “We just want to see the team continue to play the way they have progressed during the preseason. We still need to find out who this team is. If we continue to take positive steps in that direction, we will consider this weekend a success.”
Delaware is led by high-scoring senior forward Natalie Zelenky, a senior honor student from Mechanicsburg, Pa. (Mechanicsburg Area HS), who has earned All-CAA honors each of her three collegiate seasons, including third team All-CAA honors each of the past two campaigns. She also earned NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Region honors a year ago when she ranked among the top scorers in the CAA with 11 goals and 2 assists. She has 19 career scores.
Other full-time returning starters are forward Riley Curtin, midfielder Nikki Adams, and defenders Michelle McEnroe, Andrea Gunderson, Michelle Burnett. Curtin and Gunderson will not play this weekend due to preseason injuries that could keep them out for much of the season.
Delaware has won two straight season openers, including a 2-1 double overtime win at Loyola in 2015 and a 3-2 win over Monmouth in 2014.
Villanova is looking to rebound from a 2-16 mark a year ago while Syracuse went 7-11-1 a year ago as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
The Blue Hens return the top eight scorers from last season as well as starting goalkeeper Kailyn Rekos and six other full-time starters. Mix in some outstanding freshmen along with several talented redshirt freshmen who sat out last season with injuries and the season looks bright for the Blue Hens.
“It's still early,” said Grzenda, whose team began preseason drills Aug. 5. “We just want to see the team continue to play the way they have progressed during the preseason. We still need to find out who this team is. If we continue to take positive steps in that direction, we will consider this weekend a success.”
Delaware is led by high-scoring senior forward Natalie Zelenky, a senior honor student from Mechanicsburg, Pa. (Mechanicsburg Area HS), who has earned All-CAA honors each of her three collegiate seasons, including third team All-CAA honors each of the past two campaigns. She also earned NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Region honors a year ago when she ranked among the top scorers in the CAA with 11 goals and 2 assists. She has 19 career scores.
Other full-time returning starters are forward Riley Curtin, midfielder Nikki Adams, and defenders Michelle McEnroe, Andrea Gunderson, Michelle Burnett. Curtin and Gunderson will not play this weekend due to preseason injuries that could keep them out for much of the season.
Delaware has won two straight season openers, including a 2-1 double overtime win at Loyola in 2015 and a 3-2 win over Monmouth in 2014.
Villanova is looking to rebound from a 2-16 mark a year ago while Syracuse went 7-11-1 a year ago as members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Scott Selheimer | selheime@udel.edu | Office: 302-831-8007 | Cell: 302-562-5129
Players Mentioned
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