CANTON, Ohio -- The Malone University women's soccer program kicks off the final week of the regular season this afternoon with a trip to Cedarville University for a crucial Great Midwest Athletic Conference match.
The Matchup: Malone University Pioneers (5-3-1, 4-3-1 G-MAC) at Cedarville University Yellow Jackets (3-2-1, 3-2-1 G-MAC)
Where: Cedarville University - Yellow Jacket Soccer Complex
When: 4:30 p.m.
Live Stats: Great Midwest Digital Network
Live Video: Great Midwest Digital Network
Tickets: Cedarville University Ticket Office
MALONE-CEDARVILLE SOCCER SERIES
Malone and Cedarville have met 23 different times prior to this afternoon. The Pioneers hold an 11-9-3 advantage in the tightly contested overall series.
Cedarville won the lone meeting last year, a 4-1 loss for Malone on the road.
The last win for the Pioneers came in October of 2016, a 2-1 victory in the quarterfinal round of the G-MAC Tournament.
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT THE PIONEERS
- The Pioneers are in the hunt for one of the top four seeds in next week's 2020-21 Great Midwest Women's Soccer Championship Tournament. With 13 G-MAC points on the year Malone is currently tied with Findlay for third place in the G-MAC standings. A lot is left to be decided this week as there are eight teams who have at least 10 points. Only eight teams will qualify for the postseason tournament. The top four seeds will host quarterfinal matches, and the semifinals and finals will be played at Ohio Dominican.
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Despite being shutout for just the second time this season in last week's match at Ursuline, the Pioneers continue to rank near the top of the conference offensively. Malone's 12 goals scored are tied for second in the league. Their 1.333 scoring average ranks fifth.
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Madeline Ault still sits tied for the G-MAC lead with five goals scored. She has the game-winning goal in three of the team's five wins this season.
- The Pioneers do an outstanding job of possessing the ball and putting pressure on the opposing defense. Malone leads the G-MAC in both shots taken (122) and is second in corner kicks (39). 63 of the 122 shots have been on goal.
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After missing the first two matches of the season due to injury, Jessica Morgan has now played every single second in goal for Malone. She has made 34 saves. That mark is fourth-best in the G-MAC.
KNOW YOUR OPPONENT
Cedarville enters play riding a three-match winning streak. In their most recent outing the Yellow Jackets knocked off Kentucky Wesleyan 3-1. Cedarville also holds G-MAC wins over Trevecca Nazarene and Tiffin.
Senior Taylor Noll leads CU with three goals this season. Ironically enough she has scored one goal in each of the last three matches, all Yellow Jacket wins. As a team, Cedarville's offense is fifth in the conference with nine goals.
Defensively the Yellow Jackets have only surrendered five goals this year. Sophomore Jocelyn Gross has played the majority of minutes in goal for CU, and has made 12 saves on the year.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Pioneers will play their final regular season match of the year this weekend. Malone travels to Ohio Dominican on Saturday at 5:30 p.m.
To keep up to date with everything surrounding the Malone University athletic programs this year follow the Pioneers on Twitter and Instagram, like Malone University Athletics on Facebook or visit malonepioneers.com.
