Oct. 20, 2008

Washington, D.C. - The Georgetown University women's soccer team will host the St. John's Red Storm tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in their final regular-season home game of 2008. The Hoyas currently own a two-game home unbeaten streak and posses a Top 20 scoring offense (2.54 goals per game) to go along with a Top 20 defense (0.59 goals allowed per game). Heading into their final week of games, Georgetown is in the middle of the race for spots in the BIG EAST Tournament.

As of last week, junior Toni Marie Hudson (Coral Springs, Fla./Stoneman Douglas) was second only to M.A.C. Hermann Trophy Award winner and Notre Dame senior, Kerri Hanks, in the BIG EAST in points and trailed Hanks and Melissa Henderson in goals. Hudson's 10 goals have her tied for the GU single-season record that is shared by Chrissy Skogen and Jessie Beers-Altman and the junior is currently third on the single-season points list with 24. This season, she was named the BIG EAST Offensive Player of the Week and named to various other "Teams of the Week" on September 22.

Sophomore Michaela Buonomo (Churchville, Pa./Council Rock), a Freshman All-American last season and Weekly BIG EAST Honor Roll selection this season, has helped lead a defense that has shutout eight opponents. Sophomore goalkeeper Jackie DesJardin (Sunnyvale, Calif./Archbishop Mitty) was fifth in the BIG EAST in goals-allowed average and fourth in the conference in save percentage, while ranking in the top 40 nationally in both categories. She is also second on the career shutouts list to Jade Higgins (`08) and needs one shutout to tie the single-season record, which she set last season.

Freshman Samantha Baker (Long Beach, Calif./Wilson) ranked third in the conference behind Hanks and Hudson with 22 points, while ranking fourth in the conference with eight assists. She has also made the top-10 single-season lists at GU for points and assists. Baker has been named to the BIG EAST Honor Roll and earned a BIG EAST Rookie of the Week honor for scoring twice in a win over UMBC. Sophomore Caitlin Durkee (St. Paul, Minn./Como Park) was ranked eighth nationally with 10 assists. Her helpers are the third-highest single-season total in GU history.

St. John's
All-time series: The Hoyas are 4-4-1 all-time against St. John's, winning their last meeting, 2-1, in 2005. Georgetown is undefeated against the Red Storm in their last five meetings, but 2-3 all-time against St. John's from North Kehoe Field.

St. John's went 2-0 last week, including a 1-0 victory against Rutgers on Friday and a 2-0 victory against Seton Hall on Sunday. With the wins, the Red Storm extends its win streak to three games. The squad posted its first win over a ranked opponent when it shut out then-No. 15/21 Rutgers. With the pair of shutouts, the team set a program record with 10 blankings on the year. Additionally freshman goalie Kristin Russell set the single-season school record with 10 shutouts, surpassing Jaime Beran's previous record of nine set in 2006.

Red Storm Notes • Junior forward Kelly McConnell is coming off a career year and is being relied upon to lead the team's forwards this year. McConnell was third on the team in scoring with four goals and two assists with two of her goals being game-winners. • Nicole and Amanda Pasciolla have returned to anchor the midfield. In 2007, Amanda saw action in all 19 games, starting in 16, and tallied one goal and two assists. Nicole Pasciolla is an All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention. • Junior midfielder Sarah McGrath has also been relied upon to have a big season for the Red Storm after playing in all 19 games. • Raelynne Lee had a stellar rookie campaign in 2007 where she finished second on the team with five goals and tied for second with three assists. • This year's defensive unit is looking to improve upon the stellar numbers posted in 2007 (eight shutouts and a 0.85 goals against average).