University of Richmond Athletics
Women's Soccer Begins Action In JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational
09/03/2003 | Women's Soccer
Sept. 3, 2003
UNIVERSITY of RICHMOND, Va.--The Richmond women's soccer team is set to open the 2003 season competing in the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational this weekend in Harrisonburg, Va. The Spiders will first take on the James Madison Dukes (1-1-0) at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5th. Richmond will then face the Wildcats of New Hampshire (1-1-0) at noon on Sunday, September 7th.
After last weekend's game against VCU was rescheduled due to inclement weather, the Spiders are anxious to get on the field and kick-off the season. In Soccer Buzz's most recent poll, Richmond is ranked sixth in the Mid-Atlantic Region. In addition, seniors Megan Cox, Edda Gardarsdottir, Anne Rieser and junior Whitney Sikes were all named to the Atlantic 10's Preseason All-Conference team.
As defending CAA Champions, the Dukes are looking to go back-to-back with their title and advance to the NCAA Tournament again. Richmond has met JMU eleven times with the Dukes holding a 7-4-0 advantage. The team played each other twice last season and both teams claimed a victory. JMU won 5-1 in the Spiders' season-opener, but Richmond later claimed a 1-0 victory in the NCAA second round contest.
Last season, the Wildcats finished second in the America East and were selected to finish third in this year's preseason poll. Playing in the UVM Soccer Classic last weekend, New Hampshire defeated Iona College 3-0 and fell 1-0 to Stetson University. This will be the first meeting between the Spiders and Wildcats.
