LYNCHBURG, VA – Shutouts and the scoring of Brittany Hammons (Newport News, VA/Grafton) continued to be the story in the WildCat women's soccer's lone game last week, a 2-0 victory over Louisburg College Saturday afternoon. The WildCats are now 3-0 on the season, and the third straight shutout to start the season is the first time since the 1995 season that feat has been accomplished. Randolph will finish off its non-conference slate Tuesday at Southern Virginia before entering league action Friday night for the home opener against Roanoke College at 7 p.m. in WildCat Stadium.

Match Details
Opponent: Southern Virginia University
Site: Buena Vista, VA
Facility: The Fields at SVU
Date: September 13, 2011
Time: 4 p.m.

Match Details
Opponent: Roanoke College
Site: Lynchburg, VA
Facility: WildCat Stadium
Date: September 16, 2011
Time: 7 p.m.
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What to Look For
The WildCats defense has been very stout thus far, as Randolph and Emory & Henry College are the only teams in the league that have not allowed a goal against this season. Both Southern Virginia and Roanoke will have potent offenses, so it will be interesting to see how the WildCats and first-year keeper Hunter Gibson (Newport News, VA/Grafton) adjust. Also, now that first-year Ashley Oswald (Mechanicsville, VA/Lee-Davis) has netted her first career goal, look for the explosive midfielder to start going to goal more often.

A Look at the Knights
Southern Virginia, an independent member of NAIA, comes into Tuesday's affair 0-3 on the season, but the schedule SVU has played has included two NCAA Division-I schools in Radford and VMI. Southern Virginia has yet to score a goal, but Melanee Guymon has taken a team-best five shots on the season. Briar Sands has started the last two contests in net for the Knights, making 14 saves in the process. Likely starters: F - Jackie Barlow, F - Bryndel Kindred, F - Meghan Blackham, D - Tamara Nagle, D – Michelle Riddle, D – Laura Schow, F – Guymon, M – Amber Key, M – Joni Painter, M – Marva Warndahl, G – Sands.

A Look at the Maroons
The Maroons enter Friday night's game with the WildCats with a 3-1 mark, having played a very strong schedule to date. The attack for Roanoke is led by All-ODAC player Rebekah Adams as well as Sarah Valero. Adams has two goals and five points to lead Roanoke, while Valero had netted a pair of goals. Kristyn Brogans and Carolyn Sarabacher have split time in net for Roanoke, with Brogans winning both of her starts. Likely starters: F – Rebekah Adams, F – Cindy Suttora, M – Jamie Johnston, M – Stephanie Parenteau, M – Lauren Schwarcz, M – Sarah Valero, M- Carmen Graves, D - Maya Kantor, D – Maggie Dent, D – Jordan May, G – Carolyn Sarabacher.

Sharp Shooting Striker
The WildCats have been lucky this season to have someone as efficient as Brittany Hammons, as the first-year striker has scored three goals on six total shots. All three of her goals have been game-winners, all coming thanks to an assist from sophomore midfielder Marielle Rando (Powhatan, VA/Powhatan) .

On the Hunt
Hunter Gibson has started her season about as well as a first-year goalkeeper can expect to, with three consecutive shutouts. Gibson is very loud and brash in the net, and her aggressiveness in the net reminds many of former Randolph star Victoria Johnson. Gibson is already third all-time in shutouts at the College, behind two of the ODAC's best keepers in Johnson and Amy Dameron, each of whom were (Dameron) or are (Johnson) the ODAC's all-time save leaders.

Unselfish Mel
Sophomore Marielle Rando was the focal point of the WildCat offense a season ago. While still being one of the main contributors, Rando has started to distribute more this year, as Rando is currently second in the ODAC with three helpers, setting up all three of Brittany Hammons' goals. "Mel's role has changed this year," said head coach Kevin Porterfield . "That being said, her role this year is just as if not more important than last year, I'm very impressed with how she's played thus far."

Iron 'Cats
Senior Courtney Collier (Gloucester, VA/Gloucester) and juniors Amanda Cooper (Canyon Lake, TX/Smithson Valley) and Kelsey Cline (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run) are among the top-five in minutes on the field since the beginning of the 2000 season. All three have different roles, but Cline has yet to come off the field this season, as her athleticism, hard work and fitness are vital in the outside back spot for Randolph.

Porterfield's Prognostication
"Southern Virginia is a real physical team, but it's a good test for us before we open up ODAC play Friday," said head coach Kevin Porterfield . "They play the same formation of us and they kind of do a lot of what we do…Roanoke has gotten regional rankings, so I'm hoping to come out and build on our good start and be competitive against a very good team in Roanoke."

Up Next
Old Dominion Athletic Conference play continues next week with two road league games. Randolph will head over the mountain next Wednesday afternoon to take on ODAC power Washington & Lee University at 4:30 p.m. before traveling east to Ashland, VA September 24 for a 2 p.m. kickoff at Randolph-Macon College.

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