DAYTON – The Wright State women's soccer team will stay on Alumni Field as they host Valparaiso on Sunday, September 8. The game is set for a 1 p.m. kickoff. Fans can keep up with the non-conference action in-person with free admission or online through live stats.
MATCH INFORMATION
Sunday, September 8 – 1 p.m. – Live Stats
LAST TIME OUT
Wright State added its second consecutive win Thursday evening, defeating Morehead State in a shutout. The 3-0 home opener victory comes with two goals by
Olivia Stroud and one from
Caitlin Burger. Wright State bested Morehead in shots, 16-8, shots on goal, 9-5, and corner kicks 5-4.
Ruby Dunlevy led the Raiders with three shots, two on goal, followed by Burger, Mariella Hartman,
Kylie Krynzel,
Tamara Smith, and Stroud, each recording two shots.
Erin Baker and
Kiera Sarka combined for four saves, as Sarka opened for the first 45 minutes, and Baker closed the final 45.
SCOUTING THE BEACONS
Valparaiso is currently 2-3 on the season, opening the season with a 3-1 win at Chicago State, and taking down Milwaukee in their home opener.
HISTORY VS. VALPARAISO
This will be the 19
th matchup between Valpo and the Raiders, as Wright State holds a 11-2-5 all-time record over the Beacon. Their last meeting ended in a 2-2 double-overtime tie in 2019.
HOME COOKING
Thursday marked the beginning of a six-game stretch where the Raiders will be playing in Dayton, with five of those six matches coming at home at Alumni Field. The lone road contest will come on September 12 with a quick visit across town to take on Dayton.
ALL-CONFERENCE TALENT
Wright State returns All-Horizon League selections
Kaitlyn Eyink. Eyink was named to the All-Freshman team last season after playing in all 18 contests to date for the Raiders, including 16 starts. She ranked second on the team, only behind goalkeeper
Kiera Sarka, in minutes logged (1357) and complete games (5). The Findlay, Ohio native anchored Wright State's back line to seven shutouts, the program's highest mark since 2017. With her help, opponents have scored one or fewer goals in ten of WSU's 18 matches.
MEET THE COACHES
The Raiders are led by fourth-year head coach
Travis Sobers, a longtime assistant coach at WSU before taking reigns on the sidelines three summers ago. The former Wright State men's soccer standout player guided the Raiders to an 6-7-5 overall record and a 4-3-3 mark in conference play last year. Second-year assistant coach
Krystle Seidel joined the staff in May 2023 after a four-year head coaching stint at Macalester College and nine seasons at the University of Minnesota.
PRESEASON POLL
The Raiders were picked fourth in the Horizon League's preseason poll, tallying 71 points in the poll, which the league's 11 head coaches voted on. Defending conference champion Milwaukee topped the poll, with IU Indianapolis in second.
NEW SQUAD
WSU welcomes 12 newcomers, nine freshmen and three transfers, to this season's squad. The Raiders' 35-player roster includes eight returning sophomores, eight juniors, five seniors, and two fifth-year student-athletes. Of their three transfers, there are two sophomores and one junior.
OHIO STRONG
Wright State's 2024 roster features 22 players from Ohio. Four Raiders —
Addy Canter,
Elise Canter,
Heidi Orloff, and
Ashley Vaughn — came to WSU from nearby Beavercreek High School. Another two individuals —
Annika Samborski and
Olivia Mace — prepped at Centerville High School.
CURRENT CAREER LEADERS (at Wright State only)
Goals
Elise Canter - 4
Assists
Olivia Mace - 10
Caitlin Burger – 3
Caitlin Eyink – 3
Points
Olivia Mace – 12
Elise Canter – 8
Caitlin Burger - 7
Saves
Kiera Sarka – 113
Erin Baker – 51
NEXT UP
The Raiders will stay close to home, playing at the University of Dayton Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. Fans can keep up with the action at Baujan Field in Dayton, Ohio or through live stats.
