University of the Southwest (0-0-0) at Lubbock Christian University (0-0-0)4:00 PM – September 3, 2015 – LCU Soccer Field
LADY CHAPS FLIGHT DECK• The Lubbock Christian University Lady Chaparrals kickoff their sixth season in program history Thursday at 4 p.m., as they host University of the Southwest (N.M.) at LCU Soccer Field.
• Following the game, they remain on the home pitch Saturday to close out their opening weekend by hosting Eastern New Mexico at 3 p.m. Saturday.
• The Lady Chaps are coming off an 11-6-0 season last year, which included a third place finish in the Heartland Conference standings. This season marks the fourth season under the coaching guidance of
Alex DenningSTORY LINES• The Lady Chaparrals are 4-0-1 all-time in season and home openers, and all have been against Southwest (N.M.).
• LCU went 5-2-0 last season at home.
Brooke Wendl led LCU at home last season with 18 points off six goals and six assists. LCU is 16-6-2 all-time at home under
Alex Denning (10-3-0 al-time under Denning in non-conference home games).
• With LCU accepted into membership of NCAA Division II and eligible for postseason play, Thursday's game marks LCU's first athletic competition since completing their transition process.
• The Lady Chaps have six new additions on their roster this season. Brianne Phillips,
Gracie Jenkins,
Erika Aviles,
Katie Pullano,
Madison Boyd and
Lois Colley are all freshmen looking for their first collegiate action.
• All 11 starters from last season's final game are returning from last season's 11-6-0 record. Of their six losses, four were by a single goal and they never lost a game by more than two goals.
• LCU has nine different players on their current roster that have claimed All-Heartland Conference honors.
Brooke Wendl, who was named Conference Offensive Player of the Year last season, leads the list, which also includes
Jamie Boone,
Kristin Fellows,
Kate O'Gara,
Audra Park,
Claudia Sanchez,
Ashley Ledford,
Emily Odom and
Jessica Barrera.
SCOUTING USW• The Mustangs are opening their season against the Lady Chaps. They are coming off a 7-9-1 record last season.
• USW went 2-6-1 on the road last season.
• University of the Southwest is a NAIA program and a member of the Red River Conference.
• The Mustangs are without their leading scorer from last season, Lalaineya Esperanza, but returning from last season is Jessica Rosales, who had five goals and two assists for 12 points last season.
• USW lists 11 freshman on their roster, including Alisha Cruz, who is their only Lubbock native on the roster. She prepped at Monterey.
SERIES HISTORY WITH USW• LCU leads the all-time series 6-1-0.
• In the 2014 season opener (Sept. 4, 2014), LCU won 9-2 at home over the Mustangs. They had hat tricks from
Brooke Wendl and
Claudia Sanchez in the game.
• The Lady Chaps have won the prior five meetings, including their prior match-up (9/30/14 in Hobbs, N.M.) 6-1.
• Four of the seven all-time prior meetings have also ended in a shutout, including a 1-0 USW win over LCU on Aug. 29, 2011, which is USW's lone win in the all-time series.
