Aug. 28, 2001

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Women's Soccer - Season Opener

Date: Friday, August 31

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Site: University Field

OVERVIEW: Stony Brook begins its 13th season of Division I action, its 19th overall, on Friday against Boston University at University Field. SB's all-time overall record is 127-167-22.

THE GAME: Boston University begins defense of its 2000 America East title as it tangles with Stony Brook in the season opener for both teams. The Terriers were a perfect 9-0 in conference play last season and posted a 16-7 record overall. Returning to the 2001 squad are five all-conference selections from last season, including goalkeeper Danielle Demers, who was 12-4 with a 0.91 goals against average a season ago. However, the Terriers are without two-time America East Player of the Year Deidre Enos, who graduated as the program's all-time leading scorer.

Stony Brook begins its first season of conference action this year after going 8-10-1 in its final season as an independent. SB boast the Independent Co-Player and Rookie of the Year from last season in Kerri McCabe and Sarah Greenberg. Head coach Sue Ryan enters her 17th season at the Brook and hopes to guide her squad to its first winning season since 1998.

EUROPEAN TOUR: The Seawolves began their 2001 season with a preseason training trip to Europe where they played four games against teams from Holland, Germany and Belgium, recording a 1-3 mark. SB defeated Lanaken, 4-1, but fell to SV Braakhiuizen, 4-1, FFC Frankfurt II, 2-1, and Niederkirchen, 2-0.

SERIES DATA: Today's game marks only the second encounter between the two teams. The only other meeting between BU and SB took place back in 1995 when they met in the championship game of the Holiday Inn Express Invitational. The teams tied 2-2 in overtime.

MAC ATTACK: Kerri McCabe returns as the Seawolves leading scorer from last year after posting 13 goals en route to earning Independent Co-Player of the Year honors. She currently ranks fifth on the all-time scoring list. During the European tour, she continued to display her scoring touch, notching two tallies in four games.

NO RESPECT: According to the America East coaches, Stony Brook does not have much of chance to make the postseason tournament which pits the top six teams in the conference at the end of the season. In fact, the poll suggests that SB has no chance of knocking off the Terriers as BU was ranked No. 1 while the Seawolves earned the 10th spot out of 12 teams. SB was ranked only ahead of Drexel and Albany.

SEASON OPENERS: Stony Brook has won its last two openers over Iona, 4-1, and Duquesne, 3-1. The Seawolves are 6-11-1 overall in the first game of the season and 4-3 in home openers.

DYNAMIC DUO: Beth Arikian and Sarah Greenberg should team to form a potent playmaking combination in the Stony Brook midfield this year. Last year, the two combined to set up 14 goals, including a team-high eight assists for Greenberg. Her eight assists last season ranked as the fourth-best single-season effort in the program's history. Arikian currently has 12 careers assists, sixth best all-time.

PAIN, PAIN GO AWAY: Lisa Mariano hopes to turn in an outstanding senior season in 2001. Last year, a knee injury sidelined her for seven games - the team went 2-5 in that stretch. She is currently battling a nagging ankle injury, but she played through it during the preseason and will be ready to go today.

LORI'S STORY: Lori Nelson will most likely earn the starting nod against the Terriers. Nelson missed the first half of last season with a hip injury before regaining her starting role midway through the season. A strong spring and solid preseason earns her the starting spot as the 2001 season opens.

2001 CAPTAINS: Kerri McCabe and Lisa Mariano will captain the 2001 Seawolves. Both players were captains last season as well.

NEW FACES: Five freshmen don Seawolves uniforms for the first time this fall and look for a few of them to have an immediate impact. It is possible that as many as three freshmen could start against the Terriers.

NEWS AND NOTES: The Seawolves went 1-3 on their European tour . . . Lauren Canino is recovering from gall bladder surgery and may not play today. She had surgery on August 7 . . . today's game marks the first-ever conference matchup for the Seawolves after being an independent for its first 12 seasons . . . the 20-player roster is made up of players from 11 different states - the most diverse group of Seawolves in the program's history . . .