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APSU Lady Govs Soccer travels to Jacksonville State Gamecocks, Belmont Bruins

Austin Peay Sports Information

Austin Peay State University Lady Govs - APSUClarksville, TN – Coming off a successful 2-0 weekend, Austin Peay State University women’s soccer team enters the midway point of its Ohio Valley Conference schedule with road contests at Jacksonville State, 7:00pm, Friday, and Belmont, 3:00pm, Sunday.

Austin Peay Women's Soccer. (APSU Sports Information)
Austin Peay Women’s Soccer. (APSU Sports Information)

The Lady Govs (6-5, 2-1 OVC) entered the top four of the standings courtesy of wins against Southeast Missouri and UT Martin last weekend.

Freshman McKenzie Dixon led APSU offensively with three goals, earning the newcomer her third OVC Offensive Player of the Week award after scoring game-winning goals in each match.

Dixon is now tied for 29th in the country and leads the conference in goals with eight. Juniors Gina Fabbro and Nicole Wojcik are currently tied for sixth in the OVC with five after supporting Dixon up the pitch.

APSU McKenzie DixonWith five wins in the previous six matches, the Lady Govs arrive at an important stretch of matches, beginning with a three-game road trip.

The runner-up in last season’s OVC tournament, Jacksonville State (5-6-1, 2-1-1 OVC) resides above Austin Peay. After a slow start to their season, the Gamecocks have upended Morehead State and defending champion SIU Edwardsville in its conference schedule. The combo of Kelsey Bright and Courtney Hurt lead JSU offensively, with the two uniting for six goals and four assists in 2015. Caroline Robinson recently claimed Goalkeeper of the Week honors after back-to-back shutouts last weekend.

Belmont (2-9-1, 1-3 OVC) has yet to find its offensive identity this season, with the Bruins ranking last in the conference with seven goals. The Bruins have lost three of its four OVC matches by 1-0 scores, with its lone win coming against Eastern Illinois, 2-1. Belmont is anchored by goalkeeper Stephanie Bukovec, who ranks top five in goals against average, save percentage and total saves. Allie Svoboda and Emily Whitcomb each have scored two goals to lead the squad.

Last Time Against Opponents

Jacksonville State: After Austin Peay had earned two-straight wins over the Gamecocks, JSU shutout the Lady Govs, 5-0, October 17th, 2014 in Clarksville. Five different players scored for the visitors, with four goals occurring in the second half.

Belmont: On Halloween night last season, the Bruins defeated APSU, 4-2, at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field. Brianna Avitabile scored her first career goal in the 4th minute, only to be out-done as Belmont stormed back to tally four consecutive tries. In the 85th minute, Gina Fabbro netted APSU’s second goal.

Keep An Eye On

The defense. Austin Peay has allowed just two goals in OVC play after strengthening its back line. Along with a united center back pairing of Mary Ruth Locastro and Natalie Smith, Defender of the Week finalist Caroline Wistrom has adjusted to her role as right back, and recorded an assist against SEMO last Friday.

Between the posts. Sophomore keeper Lindsey Todd played 180 minutes last weekend, allowing just one goal including a shutout over the Redhawks. With a strong defense in front of her, Todd is primed for another solid weekend in net.

Offensive depth. As the Lady Govs have showed all season, there are spark plugs off the bench who can immediately change the game. Last Sunday against UT Martin, freshman Isabel Holmes appeared in the midfield, and created a scoring opportunity by sending a pass over the top to sophomore Kirstin Robertson for a score.

Video

Mary Ruth Locastro and APSU soccer enter a big weekend set to face Jacksonville State and Belmont.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1bqavY3X5w[/youtube]

APSU Lady Govs Online

Be sure to follow all the Lady Govs action at www.LetsGoPeay.com and the official Facebook page of Austin Peay Athletics. Live play-by-play coverage can be found on Twitter (@AustinPeaySocr), while live stats are available at www.PeayStats.com

All OVC matches can be streamed live and free on www.OVCDigitalNetwork.com

 

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