WEST POINT, N.Y.  – The Army women’s soccer team continues its five-game road swing this weekend when the Black Knights travel down the highway to visit Fordham (Bronx, N.Y.) Friday evening and NCAA participant Princeton (Princeton, N.J.) Sunday afternoon. The Black Knights (2-2-0) face a stern test as they look to extend upon Sunday’s 2-0 win over Massachusetts.

Seniors Molly McGuigan and Kimberly An led the scoring against the Minutewomen as Army snapped loose from a two-game losing streak. The goal and game winner was the second for McGuigan, a defender, who scored just before halftime off sophomore Brooke Hepfer’s corner kick. McGuigan’s performance earned her honorable mention in this week’s Patriot League release.

An added the insurance goal when she tallied in the 76th minute for her team-leading second goal of the season that is tied for the lead with six others in the latest conference standings. Freshman Jordan Cassalia recorded the shutout against Massachusetts, her second blanking of season. She shows a 1.25 goals against average, and her 15 saves rank second in the Patriot League.

 

The Army-Fordham game Friday at 7:30 p.m. is the home opener for the Rams, who are immersed in a three-game losing streak following losses to Manhattan (2-1), St. John’s (5-0) and Rutgers (3-0).  Army has a common opponent in NCAA participant Rutgers, bowing 3-2 to the Scarlet Knights after its rally from a 3-0 deficit fell short. Ram Megan Fitzgerald has drawn the bulk of duty in goal where she shows a 1.97 goals against along with 17 saves in two games.

Army and Fordham are meeting for the ninth time in a series that began in 1993. The Black Knights hold a 6-1-1- lead in the series with the tie and loss coming in the last two meetings in 2009 (0-0 ,2OT ) and 2010 (0-1). Army won the first six matches in the series.

Following Friday’s encounter, its third-straight road game, the Black Knights head to New Jersey to take on a Princeton team that won its opening NCAA Tournament match over West Virginia (2-1) last year after earning its eighth straight trip under head coach Julie Shackford. The Tigers open their season this weekend taking on Richmond Friday evening at Roberts Stadium and Army Sunday in the Black Knights’ first visit since defeating the Tigers 2-1 in 1997. 

The Tigers return 28 of their players who accounted for 52 goals from last year, with junior Lauren Lazo the team’s leader among the returners with 11 goals. 

Army won the last two meetings in its series with Princeton that began in 1993. The Black Knights hold a 4-1-0 advantage with three of their wins being shutouts. The Tigers’ lone win was a 3-2 overtime decision at West Point in 1995.

Fans unable to travel to games will be able to follow the action as live stats via GameTracker will be available on Army’s website (www.goARMYsports.com. In-game Twitter updates will also be offered through the official Twitter handle of Army women’s soccer (@Army_WSoccer). There will also be live video streaming provided by Fordham (http://www.atlantic10.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?&db_oem_id=31600&mid=80113)and Princeton (http://www.ivyleaguedigitalnetwork.com/packages) that are subscription based.