MATCH 13 - Daemen vs #7 Gannon | Amherst, N.Y. | Karrer Field | 2 p.m. | Oct. 23
Live Stats and Links: Watch | Live Stats
Daemen Links: Roster | Schedule | Stats
Gannon Links: Roster | Schedule | Stats

MATCH 14 – Daemen vs Mercy | Amherst, N.Y. | Karrer Field | 12 p.m. | Oct. 26
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Mercy Links: Roster | Schedule | Stats
 
HOME COOKING TO END THE YEAR
After beginning the year with seven consecutive road games, the Daemen University women's soccer team returns home for their final four games of the regular season, starting with a test against No. 10 Gannon University on Oct. 23, before facing East Coast Conference opponent Mercy University on Oct. 26. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. against Golden Knights while the start time against the Mavericks is scheduled for 12 p.m.
 
RANKED TESTS
Gannon is the third nationally ranked team this season that the Wildcats will face. Earlier this year, the Blue and White faced No. 13 Adelphi University (Sept. 11) and No. 10 Southern New Hampshire University (Sept. 17). Against Southern New Hampshire, junior goalie Becca Schultz (Grand Island, N.Y.) finished the contest with a career-high 15 saves which topped her previous career-high of 14 which she set earlier this season on Sept. 6 against Assumption University. Along with nationally ranked opponents, Daemen also faced Saint Michaels College (Oct. 16) who was ranked seventh in the United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll and will face Saint Anselm College, who was ranked fourth in the latest USC East Region Poll, on Oct. 30 at home.
 
HISTORY MAKER
With her goal against Queens College on Oct. 19, junior Kylie Miranto (North Tonawanda, N.Y.) became first player since Jaime Boyar to amass 30 career goals. Both Boyar and Miranto notched their milestone during their junior year. This season, Miranto has totaled nine goals and 13 points, punctuated by a hat trick at the College of Staten Island (Sept. 21). Now at 30 career goals, Miranto is six away from tying Samantha Engel for third all-time in career goals with 36.
 
CURRENT STANDINGS OUTLOOK
Currently in tied with Molloy University for first place with 12 points through five games played, the Wildcats are all but set to qualify for the 2024 ECC Women's Soccer Postseason and also secure a first round bye. So far this year, Daemen has totaled a 4-1 mark in conference play, highlighted by a three game winning streak to begin their ECC slate this year. Not including the 2020 season which was shortened by COVID-19, the Wildcats have made the postseason each year since the 2018 season. Mercy, who Daemen will face on Saturday, currently sits in third place with nine points. The top six teams qualify for the ECC Women's Soccer Championship (Nov. 6 -16) with the top two teams receiving a first round bye and the highest remaining seed hosting each game throughout the postseason.  
 
SUPER SCHULTZ
A native of Grand Island, N.Y., Becca Schultz has compiled a season to remember in net. The two-time ECC Defensive Player of the Week leads the ECC and is ranked third in the nation for total saves with 98 and also leads the conference in save percentage at .838. Her 8.17 saves per game is eighth nationally and second in the ECC behind Sara Villacres of Staten Island (8.86). Schultz has started all 12 games for Daemen this season, playing in 1080:00 of action.

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SCOUTING #7 GANNON (8-0-3, 6-0-3 PSAC)
Ranked 7th nationally and first in the latest USC Atlantic Region Poll, the Golden Knights are undefeated and have compiled a 3-0-2 road record. In their last game, they defeated Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) foe Edinboro, 2-0, on Oct. 16. Brooklyn Respecki leads Gannon in goals (10) and points (21) with her teammate Grace Emmanuel (seven goals, 18 points) close behind. Morgan Sinan has served as the main goalie for the Golden Knights this season, amassing eight wins while only having a 0.37 GAA.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Daemen and Gannon have only played each other once. Their lone prior meeting came in Erie, Pa., back on Sept. 2, 2007, with Gannon winning, 4-0.

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SCOUTING MERCY (8-4-2, 3-1 ECC)
The Mavericks have found their form across their last five matches, compiling a 4-0-1 record. In their last game, Mercy played to a 0-0 tie at home against RV Jefferson University with Anneliese Becker making five saves in net. Leading the Mavericks offensive front has been Ancksu Dixon who leads the ECC in points (26), goals (10), assists (six) and game winning goals (five) with her 10 goals also ranking ninth nationally. In net, Becker has started all 14 games for Mercy, making 45 saves.
 
SERIES HISTORY
Mercy leads the all-tie series, 11-2, but Daemen won the last meeting, 2-0, back on Nov. 5, 2023, during the semifinal round of the ECC Women's Soccer Championship.

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UP NEXT
The Blue and White are back in action on Oct. 30 at 11 a.m. to face regionally ranked Saint Anselm at home.

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Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Follow the Daemen women's volleyball program on Twitter and Instagram at @DaemenWSOC.