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NIAGARA UNIV., N.Y. – The Niagara women's soccer team will take to the field against Youngstown State this Friday in the opening game of the 2013 campaign before traveling to Moon Township, Pa. to battle Robert Morris on Sunday, August 25. 

Friday's contest is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Niagara Field, while kickoff for Sunday's matchup will begin at 1 p.m.

How to Catch the Games
The game between the Purple Eagles and the Penguins can be seen in the Buffalo area courtesy of Lockport Community Television (LCTV). 

Purple Eagle fan can also keep up with all the action by accessing the Live Stats link above for the appropriate game.

Scouting the Penguins
Last season Youngstown registered eight wins and three in the Horizon League to finish fourth in the conference.  The team welcomes back 17 letterwinners and eight starters, including sophomore Katie Hohmann and junior Chelsey Haney.  Haney was an All-Horizon League and All-Newcomer Team honoree last season after scoring a team-leading five goals and three assists, while Hohmann tallied a pair of goals and added four helpers

Junior Jackie Podolsky will likely earn the nod in net for the Penguins after earning five victories last season, collecting 45 saves for a .804 save percentage.

All-Time vs. Youngstown
This will be the ninth meeting between these two teams.  Niagara holds the decisive edge in the series having won all nine contests, including a 2-1 overtime victory last season. 

Scouting the Colonials
Robert Morris wrapped up last campaign with a 2-16-2 record, and a 2-7-1 mark in conference play. The Colonials welcome back 10 letterwinners, highlighted by senior midfielder Johanna Kadam who was named to the All-NEC Second Team.  The attack was led by senior defender Alexa Sarsfield who scored five points off two goals and an assist. 

Goalkeeping duties will be a toss-up between junior Becky Schoenecker and sophomore Chelsea de Jager.  Schoenecker earned a 1.66 goals-against average and an .810 save percentage, while de Jager posted a 2.26 GAA and a .748 save percentage.

All-Time vs. Robert Morris
The Purple Eagles hold a 12-8-1 advantage against the Colonials, which includes the most recent 2-0 win during the Niagara Fall Classic last season.

2013 MAAC Preseason Poll & Honors
The Purps were picked fifth overall in the 2013 MAAC Preseason Poll with 68 points and was followed by Siena (64), Iona (62), Quinnipiac (59), Canisius (45), Manhattan (32) and Saint Peter's (13).  Fairfield was picked as the preseason favorite to win the MAAC title, garnering 115 points, while Marist secured 113 votes for second.  Monmouth (86) and Rider (69) rounded out the top four. 
 
The Preseason All-MAAC Team included forward Haillie Price, and defenders Hayley Besaw and Danielle Kennedy.
 
Returning to the Mix
Head coach Peter Veltri will begin his 15^th season at the helm of the women's soccer team with 16 letterwinners from last year's squad that went 8-9-1 and 3-5-1 in the MAAC.  Two of Niagara's top five scorers from last year will be suiting up for the 2013 campaign, including 2012 MAAC Co-Rookie of the Year Haillie Price and defender Danielle Kennedy   Price finished last season tied for first on the team with 11 points off four goals and three assists, while Kennedy netted four goals for eight points.  The offense will also be spearheaded by senior forward Breanna Catipovic who scored three goals and added an assist last season.

Claire Feiertag will begin her second season as a Purple Eagle after earning the nod as starting goalkeeper as a rookie.  Feiertag played in 14 games en route to a 1.60 GAA and a .756 save percentage which earned her a spot on the MAAC All-Rookie Team.

Six Fresh Faces
Six new players will wear the Purple and White this season, including five freshmen and a transfer student.  The recruiting class consists of Amanda Gallo, Noami Giovino, twins Shawnique Samuels and Shangyne Samuels and Emily Phillips. 

Maureen Papastantinou transferred from Mississippi Valley State University where she helped the Devilettes claim the 2012 SWAC title and an NCAA Tournament berth.   

Up Next
After Sunday's game, NU continues its first of two three-game road trips this season in Tampa, Fla. where the Purple Eagles will take part in the USF Tournament.  Niagara will play Jacksonville University on Aug. 30 at 4 p.m. and South Florida on Sept. 1 at 1 p.m.