MORGANTOWN — The West Virginia University women’s soccer team begins the 2009 season with a home match against Ohio State today. Kick-off at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium is scheduled for 6 p.m.
The Mountaineers return only five starters this season as they begin defense of their Big East American Division title. Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown begins her 14th season in charge of the Mountaineers and has led her teams to nine straight NCAA tournament appearances.
WVU is led by all-Big East forwards Blake Miller and Megan Mischler, All-American midfielder Carolyn Blank and defender Nicole Mailloux. Mischler and Blank were recently named preseason all-Big East selections for 2009. Mailloux, a senior, is the lone returning starter along the Mountaineer back line.
OSU, led by veteran coach Lori Walker, brings a record of 1-0-0 into the contest. Walker has led the Buckeyes to a 128-102-20 mark in now her 13th season with four NCAA tournament appearances (2002-04, 2007) and two Big Ten Championships (2002, 2004).
Ohio State is led by its trio of captains in midfielder Ashley Bower, goalkeeper Lauren Robinson and defender Cassie Dickerson. The Buckeyes return 10 starters from a year ago on a team that finished 8-10-2 and finished fifth in the Big Ten at 5-5-0.
The Buckeyes are coming off a 2-0 victory over Bowling Green in their season opener on Friday.
West Virginia and Ohio State meet for the sixth time with WVU holding a slight 3-2 lead in the all-time series. The Mountaineers won their last meeting with the Buckeyes, a 3-0 win in the 2003 NCAA tournament. That victory advanced WVU into its first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
Fans attending the home opener can pick up a free 2009 WVU women’s soccer poster featuring Mallory Beck, Kerri Butler, Erica Henderson and Mailloux.
