The Tournament
The Delaware State women's soccer team (4-12-1) will host the Independent Conference Tournament this weekend with the likes of Francis Marion (3-11), NJIT (3-12-1) and South Carolina State (2-13) included in the field of play.
Tournament Format
» Game 1: Friday (4 p.m.) – NJIT vs. Francis Marion
» Game 2: Friday (7 p.m.) – DSU vs. South Carolina State
» Game 3 (Consolation): Sunday (11 a.m.) – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2
» Game 4 (Championship): Sunday (2 p.m.) – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2
Media Coverage
» Live Stats (All Games - Free): Click Here
» Twitter: @DSUWsoc | @DSUAthletics | #ICTourney
The Opponents
» Francis Marion Patriots (3-11)
Beginning the season on a 10-game skid, the Patriots ended the year winning three out of their last four, including a 2-0 win over DSU in their regular season finale last Sunday. Forward Elizabeth Asare is FMU's leader in goals (7), assists (3) and points (17), while forward/midfielder Kelly Anthony and forward Chanel Harris have both chipped in with three goals and two assists for eight points. Goalkeeper Taylor O'Berry, on the other hand, is 2-10 on the season allowing 38 goals and totaling 81 saves.
» The Series: The Hornets are 0-2 all-time against the Patriots. The lone meeting between the two squads before playing last Sunday occurred in 2006 with FMU picking up a 6-0 win at home.
» NJIT Highlanders (3-12-1)
Entering the weekend, NJIT wrapped up the regular season at 1-1-1 in its final three games. Its lone victory during this stretch, meanwhile, occurred at home with a 2-1 win over DSU on Oct. 10. NJIT's top scorers feature forward/midfielder Kaelyn Gamel as the squad's leader in goals (3), while forward Carly Berdan is second with two. In the net, Samantha Bersett has allowed 14 goals and tallied 62 saves for a 2-6 record, whereas Karen David has amassed a 1-6-1 record with 52 saves, seven goals allowed and two shutouts.
» The Series: The Hornets are 1-12 all-time against NJIT. In DSU's 2-1 loss to the Highlanders earlier this season, it turned out to be a physical contest, featuring a combined 29 fouls, in addition to five yellow cards. For NJIT, Jenny Cislo and Kaelyn Gamel scored, while DSU's Dina Isham tallied her first goal of the year. Last season, DSU dropped both meetings, whereas the Hornets' lone victory of the series occurred in 2008 by way of a 1-0 win on the road.
» South Carolina State Bulldogs (3-12-1)
In its final match of the regular season last Friday, SCSU came away with a 2-1 win over DSU, snapping a 12-game skid. In the scoring department, midfielder Dominique Brown leads the Bulldogs in goals (5) and points (11), while forward Naydeen Cabalo sits second in both categories with three goals for six points. In the net, Haley Austin (2-9) and Katelyn Kern (0-4) have split time with Austin collecting 104 saves and allowing 33 goals, whereas Kern has given up 10 goals and tallied 17 saves.
» The Series: The Hornets are 4-12-1 all-time against the Bulldogs. Last season, DSU came away with a 1-0 victory at home in 2013, headlined by forward Chelsea Boursiquot scoring the game-winning goal late in the second period.
Last Time Out…
DSU snapped a four-game losing skid Wednesday night at Alumni Stadium in its season finale, behind three first half goals to come away with a 3-0 shutout victory over the visiting Howard Bison. To get things started, DSU's Julia Bossert sent a pass across from the left wing deep in HU territory near the front of the net, resulting in forward Chelsea Boursiquot (4) giving her squad a 1-0 advantage during the seventh minute. Forward Emma Cain was also credited with an assist. Boursiquot (5) and Bossert later connected again, this time during 19th minute, when Bossert sent a sharp cross from around the midfield line with Boursiquot controlling the ball at close range and firing it past by HU's Kyra Dickinson for the goal. Delaware State later capped off its stellar half with less than 30 seconds to play by way of midfielder Danielle Valente (1) connecting from about 30 yards out after receiving a short pass from forward Franny Farella. Goalkeeper Katelyn Koslosky, meanwhile, finished with one save to secure her fourth shutout win of the season.
DSU in Postseason Play
In five postseason games, the Hornets are winless in five attempts. As members of the United Soccer Conference, DSU went 0-2 in the conference tournament with losses to Utah Valley State (2006) and Howard (2007). In the Great West Conference Tournament, the Hornets fell to Utah Valley State (2009) and South Carolina State twice (2011, 2012).
Moving Up the DSU Single-Season, Career Lists
Forward Chelsea Boursiquot is now DSU's single-season record holder for most goals (5) and points (12)… Goalkeeper Katelyn Koslosky is now the program's all-time leader in saves with 381 and moved into fifth place for most games played (64).
Through 17 Games in 2013…
The Hornets were 1-16 to complete the season with a 3-0 loss at NJIT.
