GAME 1, 2
RMU (0-0 / 0-0 #HLWSOC) @ VMI (0-0 / 0-0 #SoCon)
Thursday, Aug. 17 | 3:00 p.m.
Patchin Field (1,000) | Lexington, Va.
TV: ESPN+
Talent: Jeremy Franklin (pxp), Marshall LeMert (analyst)
Twitter & Instagram: @rmuwsoccer
RMU (0-0 / 0-0 #HLWSOC) @ Hampton (0-0 / 0-0 #CAA)
Friday, Aug. 18 | 2:00 p.m.
Armstrong Stadium (12,000) | Hampton, Va.
Twitter & Instagram: @rmuwsoccer
Opening Kick-Off
- The Colonials begin the season on a four-game road trip, playing all non-conference opponents.
- The season opener begins at VMI (8/17), followed by a battle with Hampton (8/18). RMU next week heads to Ohio to face Akron (8/24) and then travels back to the state of Pennsylvania to play at Saint Francis (8/27).
- Last year the Colonials finished with a 7-7-4 overall record, including a 6-3-3 record at home.
- Kaoru Hayashi returns to the pitch. In 2020 and 2021 she earned Horizon League All-Conference Second Team honors. Also, in 2021 she was named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team.
- In the 2022 season, Malia Kearns was named to the #HLWSOC All-Freshman Team, tallying two goals and three assists in the campaign. She finished the year playing just under 1,300 minutes.
- Head Coach Chris Shaw enters his fourth year as the bench boss for the Colonials. Assistant coach Brianna Murgi is back for her second season and goalkeeper coach Erik Eisenhut returns for his fifth year with the program.
VMI LINKS
Live Stats
Live Video
RMU Athletics Gameday App
HAMPTON LINKS
Live Stats
RMU Athletics Gameday App
The All-Time Series (VMI) – Back in 2022 was the first time these two programs met. The Colonials came out on the winning end, beating the Keydets 2-0 in the home opener. In that game, two seniors that graduated last year,
Gabriella Lecuona and
Sheridan Reid both scored.
Haleigh Finale and
Renae Mohrbacher each added an assist on the day. This was Mohrbacher's first collegiate point. RMU dominated offensively in this match-up a year ago, outshooting VMI 16-8, and pounced seven shots on goal.
Scouting the Keydets – VMI will also be going on the pitch for the first time this season. Last season, the Keydets finished with a 1-17-2 overall record and were 0-9 in the Southern Conference. Their season ended with a 0-3 loss at The Citadel in the first round of the Southern Conference playoffs. Returning to the Keydets are three sophomores that led the team in scoring. Sedona Dancu scored five goals last year as a freshman, Riley Boucher posted four goals and one assist and Katy Layman led the team in assists with two helpers. In net, senior Jillian Hall recorded 124 saves in 2022. For the 2023 campaign, VMI features a relatively younger squad with 19 underclassmen.
The All-Time Series (Hampton) – In the second leg of their back-to-back games, RMU takes on another opponent that they're undefeated against. All-time the Colonials are 2-0 against Hampton. This past year, these two teams met in Moon Township and RMU protected their home turf with authority, getting seven goals past Hampton to win 7-1. In that game,
Elisa Corvalan and
Malia Kearns both earned a goal and an assist each.
Paloma Swankler scored a brace and
Morgan Guelas set up one teammate for a goal. Two years ago, the Colonials beat the Pirates on the road, 4-2.
Haleigh Finale put on a spectacular performance producing a trio of assists. Her teammate
Kaoru Hayashi also had an assist.
Emily Rocco scored one goal for RMU. Overall, in those two games played, RMU has outscored Hampton 11-3, and has outshot them 40-13.
Scouting the Pirates – Headed into their first match of the year, the Pirates are coming off a 2-14-1 season from 2022. They were 0-9 in conference play in the Coastal Athletic Association. The Pirates are led by interim head coach Matheau Hall for this year. Returning to the field is Maya Martir, a senior that scored three goals and two assists in her junior year. Back in net is sophomore Alexis Deveaux. As a freshman she made 82 stops for the Pirates. Hampton is also a younger team with 25 freshmen and sophomores on the roster.
VETERAN PRESENCE
The Colonials return some key players for the upcoming season. The team's leading goal scorer
Haleigh Finale is back for her senior season. Last year she led the team in goals with five and also added two assists. At attacking midfield, RMU will be bolstered by the return of
Elisa Corvalan and
Malia Kearns. Both produced seven points in the 2022 season. Leading the team in assists last year as a freshman,
Renae Mohrbacher will return up top on the pitch for RMU. Defensively, two key starters in
Kristi Kania and
Emily Rocco are featured on the backline after productive seasons in 2022. From Ama, Japan the Colonials get back
Kaoru Hayashi after missing the 2022 campaign due to injury. Helping facilitate possession, Hayashi has gathered four goals and four assists in her career. She's a two-time Horizon League All-Conference Second-Team member, and was tabbed to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region Team in 2021.
NEW FACES
Shaw brings in five new transfers to the team. Locally, Jill Marvin and
Carson Bogan join the squad. In the goaltending position,
Brenna Murray from UNC Charlotte joins three other goalies on the roster. And, all the way from Germany,
Lidia Nduka comes to RMU after playing at James Madison.
For the 2023 season, Shaw and his staff recruited seven freshmen. From California,
Julia Becerra and Shauna Gramble are two additions. In goal,
Hannah Robertson and
Deetya Satyal join the goalie tandem. Locally from Yough and Gateway high school,
McKenzie Pritts and
Madi Jesih will start their collegiate careers up this week. And, from 35 miles outside Philadelphia, speedy winger
Joey Tomlinson rounds out the class of 2027.
Follow The Colonials: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | RMU Athletics Gameday App
