GAME 5: NO.16 WEST VIRGINIA VS. ARIZONA Friday, September 10, p.m. Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium Morgantown, W.Va.

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1 Sports Communications Office PO Box 0877 Morgantown, WV Phone: (304) Fax: (304) Websites: GAME 5: NO.16 WEST VIRGINIA VS. ARIZONA Friday, September 10, p.m. Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium Morgantown, W.Va. GAME 6: NO.16 WEST VIRGINIA VS. JAMES MADISON Sunday, September 12, p.m. Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium Morgantown, W.Va. MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - The West Virginia University women s soccer team (3-1-0) rounds out its early September homestand with two weekend matches against Arizona and James Madison. The No.16 Mountaineers play host to the Wildcats on Friday, Sept. 10, at 7 p.m., and to the Dukes at 1 p.m., on Sunday, Sept. 12 at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. THE LAST TIME OUT No. 15 West Virginia dropped its first match of the season, a tough 1-0 loss to visiting No. 10 Virginia on Sunday, September 5. The Cavaliers scored in the seventh minute and held off WVU s attack throughout the rest of the contest for the win. Prior to the match, Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium was officially dedicated. SERIES PLAY West Virginia meets Arizona for the first time in school history on Friday night. WVU owns a overall record against JMU. AGAINST THE PAC-10 and CAA Arizona is the first PAC-10 team to face the Mountaineers in the history of women s soccer. West Virginia owns a overall record against members of the Colonial Athletic Association. The Mountaineers 1-0 loss to James Madison in 1999 is their only blemish against teams from the CAA Women s Soccer Schedule Date Opponent Time/Result Aug. 27 Kentucky*... W/3-2 (2ot) Aug. 29 Ohio*... W/7-0 Sept. 1 PURDUE...W/1-0 Sept. 5 VIRGINIA... L/0-1 Sept. 10 ARIZONA... 7 p.m. Sept. 12 JAMES MADISON... 1 p.m. Sept. 17 Providence... 4 p.m. Sept. 19 Boston College... 1 p.m. Sept. 24 VILLANOVA...7 p.m. Sept. 26 ST. JOHN S... 3 p.m Oct. 1 NOTRE DAME...7 p.m. Oct. 3 SYRACUSE...1 p.m. Oct. 6 Pitt... 7 p.m. Oct. 10 Binghamton... Noon Oct. 15 Rutgers... 7 p.m. Oct. 17 Seton Hall... 1 p.m. Oct. 22 Radford... 7 p.m. Oct. 24 GEORGETOWN...1 p.m. Oct. 30/31 BIG EAST Quarterfinals... TBA Nov. 5-7 BIG EAST Championship... TBA Home matchs in BOLD CAPS BIG EAST matches in Italics *UK Invitational

2 ABOUT THE COACHES Nikki Izzo-Brown is in her ninth season at the helm of WVU women s soccer. The program s first and only coach, Izzo-Brown has led the Mountaineers to four straight NCAA tournament berths, including an appearance in last season s Sweet 16, and an overall record of Izzo-Brown has coached three All-Americans: Chrissie Abbott ( ), Katie Barnes ( ) and Lisa Stoia ( ) and three Academic All- Americans: Melissa Haire ( ), Christen Seaman ( ) and Laura Kane ( ). Arizona is coach by Dan Tobias. Tobias is in his second year with the Wildcats and is during that time. Dave Lombardo is the head coach at James Madison. JMU is during his 14 years. CONFIDENT COCCHI In West Virginia s first three contests, it is evident that redshirt freshman Natalie Cocchi made valuable use of her time on the sideslines last fall. The Ocean Township, N.J., native, has tallied two goals in four matches, both of which have been game-winners. IN SEASON OPENERS With its win over Kentucky, West Virginia is now 4-5 all-time in season openers. The Mountaineers three other season-opening victories came in 1997 (at Boston College), 2000 (vs. Syracuse) and 2001 (at St. John s). IN THE POLLS Dating back to the week of September 23, 2002, West Virginia has been ranked in at least one major poll for 23 consecutive weeks. During that time, the highest WVU was ranked was No. 4 by SoccerBuzz. MOUNTAINEERS SET WVU RECORD With their 7-0 victory over Ohio on Sunday, Aug. 29, the Mountaineers set a new school record for goals in a game. The previous record, six scores, was accomplished three times, most recently versus Virginia Tech in RAISING KANE As a freshman she was able to watch and learn from former All- American Katie Barnes. As a sophomore and junior, she had former Herman Trophy nominee Chrissie Abbott teach her the ins and outs of being a Mountaineer forward. Now, as a senior, it is up to Laura Kane to show how she s been raised. The Pottstown, Pa., native is certainly battle-tested, having started every match but one during her previous three seasons. Last year, Kane scored more goals in conference matches than any of her teammates (3). A first team all-big EAST selection in 2003, nearly half (11 out of 23) of Kane s career goals have been gamewinners. For her career, she averages one goal for every six shots taken. In the season-opening matches with Kentucky and Ohio, Kane tallied one goal and two assists for four points. BANKS, MINNICH TIE RECORD West Virginia junior forward Rachael Minnich and freshman midfielder Ashley Banks tied the WVU record for goals in a game with three each against Ohio. Only three other Mountaineers have ever notched a hat trick in a contest: Chrissie Abbott (vs. William and Mary, 2002), Katie Barnes (vs. Virginia Tech, 1999; vs. Marshall, 2000) and Rena Lippa (vs. Bowling Green, 1998). Never before had two Mountaineers scored three goals in the same contest. BREAKOUT BARDEN If senior midfielder Leslie Barden can pick up in 2004 where she left off in 2003, she will most certainly have a breakout season. The Fairfield, Ohio, native scored six goals last year, four of which came during postseason play. Barden notched the gamewinner against St. John s in the quarterfinals of the BIG EAST tournament, added the first goal of the NCAA tournament win over Loyola (Md.), put the Mountaineers up 3-0 with her goal against Ohio State and scored the game-tying goal with only a minute and half to play in the Sweet 16 match against Florida State.

3 HOME SWEET HOME Since 2000, the Mountaineers have found great success on the grass of Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium. Entering the 2004 season, West Virginia is 35-4 at home over the past three years, a.900 winning percentage. Prior to the regular season ending loss to Penn State, the Mountaineers had won 17 straight in Morgantown-- the longest home win streak in Mountaineer women s soccer history. All the home field success is not to say that West Virginia has been unlucky on the road, either. Over the past three years, WVU has a road record. Overall, West Virginia is at home, on the road and at a neutral site. A STRUCTURE OF SUCCESS Going hand-in-hand with a first-rate soccer program is a first rate soccer facility, and thanks to a generous gift from S.J. Dick Dlesk, the West Virginia women s soccer team has a top notch home. New for the 2004 season, the Mountaineers home field, recently named Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, is a 1,600-seat stadium that features grandstand bleachers, a five-booth press box, an upper walkway that can be reached via elevator and on-site game-day locker rooms. Couple the new additions with the drainage system and a custom, natural grass playing surface that was put in place last season, and it is easy to see why Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium will soon be considered one of the nation s finest soccer complexes. Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium was dedicated prior to the Mountaineers 2 p.m., contest against No.10 Virginia on Sunday, Sept. 5 FAMILIAR FOES West Virginia s 2004 slate is full of familiar foes. Only two of the teams the Mountaineers are set to face, the SEC s Kentucky Wildcats and the PAC-10 s Arizona Wildcats, are first-time opponents. WVU has faced all 16 other opponents at least once before. The Mountaineers and Notre Dame have the longest history. The two have met 10 times in the last nine seasons. TOURNAMENT TESTED Six of West Virginia s 2004 opponents were NCAA tournament teams in Purdue, Virginia, Boston College, Rutgers, Villanova and Notre Dame each made last year s Women s College Cup with the Boilermakers and the Wildcats advancing the farthest. Both teams, along with the Mountaineers, were Sweet 16 participants. DOMINANT DEFENSE Anchored by third team allregion defender Ashley Weimer, the West Virginia defense has been dominant during the past two seasons. With Weimer back for her senior season and only Jenn Lewis gone from a back four that ranked 27th nationally in goals against average and 23rd in the country for shutout percentage last season, the Mountaineers are poised for another strong defensive performance in The Mountaineers have recorded two shutouts in their first four matches. EXPERIENCE COUNTS The Mountaineers return seven of 11 starters from last season s Sweet 16 sqaud. Of the returnees, senior Laura Kane has the most experience, starting 67 of the 68 matches in her career. PRESEASON PICKS Senior forward Laura Kane was named to the preseason all-big EAST team for the first time in her career, marking the fourth consecutive season that West Virginia has had at least one player on the preseason team. As a team, the Mountaineers were selected to finish third in conference play. This year there are no divisional alignments within the conference. All BIG EAST matches count toward the overall record. WEEKLY HONORS Junior forward Rachael Minnich earned West Virginia athlete of the week honors for her performance at the UK Invitational. Minnich, a Mason, Ohio, native, had eight points in two matches. She assisted on the game-winner versus Kentucky and tied two school records with seven points and three goals against Ohio. Freshman Ashley Banks notched her first career conference honor, earning rookie of the week accolades from the BIG EAST for her three goal effort against the Ohio Bobcats on Sunday, Aug. 29. WHERE WE ARE Juniors Marisa Kanela and Rachael Minnich along with freshman Ashley Banks are among the BIG EAST offensive leaders early in the season. Kanela is in the Top 10 in shots (5th), shots per game (t-7th) and points (t- 10th). Minnich is 6th in points and points per game, tied with Banks in both goals (5th) and in goals per game (7th). Minnich, Kanela, Ashley Weimer and Laura Kane are all tied for 7th in assists while Natalie Cocchi leads the league in game-winning goals (2). Lana Bannerman is in the Top 10 for goals against average (7th), save percentage (6th), saves (6th), saves per game (8th), shutouts (2nd) and shutouts per game (5th).

4 WEST VIRGINIA SEASON HIGHS Goals: 7 vs. Ohio, 8/29 Assists: 9 vs. Ohio, 8/29 Points: 23 vs. Ohio, 8/29 Shots: 23 vs. Ohio, 8/29 Corner Kicks: 9 vs. Kentucky, 8/27 Fouls: 14 vs. Kentucky, 8/27; vs. Ohio, 8/29 Saves: 5 vs. Kentucky, 8/27 OPPONENT SEASON HIGHS Goals: 2 by Kentucky, 8/27 Assists: 2 by Kentucky, 8/27 Points: 6 by Kentucky, 8/27 Shots: 11 by Kentucky, 8/27 Corner Kicks: 8 by Kentucky, 8/27 Fouls: 12 by Kentucky, 8/27 Saves: 7 by Ohio, 8/29 AROUND THE CONFERENCE This weekend s BIG EAST action: Sept Providence at Quinnipiac, 4 p.m. Boston College vs. UW-Milwaukee, 5 p.m. Connecticut at Yale, 7 p.m. Notre Dame at Arizona State, 9 p.m. Villanova vs. Princeton, 2:30 p.m. Syracuse at Michigan, 4 p.m. Pitt at UNC Greensboro, 7 p.m. Long Island at St. John s, 8 p.m. Santa Clara at Rutgers, 8 p.m. Seton Hall at VCU, 8 p.m. Sept Connecticut vs. Hartford, 1 p.m. Holy Cross at Providence, 1 p.m. Boston College at Wisconsin, 2 p.m. Notre Dame at Texas Tech, 2 p.m. Syracuse vs. Oakland, 11:30 a.m. Pittsburgh vs. Old Dominion, Noon Wagner at St. John s, 2:30 p.m. Villanova at Pennsylvania, 2:30 p.m. Michigan State at Rutgers, 2:30 p.m. Seton Hall vs. Richmond, 3 p.m. WEST VIRGINIA IN THE WEEKLY RANKINGS DATE NSCAA/ SOCCER SOCCER adidas AMERICA BUZZ Preseason Aug Sept Sept. 13 Sept. 20 Sept. 27 Oct. 4 Oct. 11 Oct. 18 Oct. 25 Nov. 1 Nov. 8 WHERE THEY GO NEXT West Virginia travels to Providence for a 4 p.m., contest on Friday, Sept. 17 and to Boston College for a 1 p.m. match on Sunday, Sept. 19. Arizona plays Duquesne on Sunday, Sept. 12. James Madison returns home for a Thursday, Sept. 16 contest against George Washington. WHEN WEST VIRGINIA... Plays on a Sunday, the Mountaineers are Plays on a Friday, the Mountaineers are Plays on a Wednesday, the Mountaineers Scores first, the Mountaineers are Is scored on first, the Mountaineers are Goes to overtime, the Mountaineers are Plays at home, the Mountaineers are Plays away, the Mountaineers are Plays at a neutral site, the Mountaineers are Wears white, the Mountaineers are Wears blue, the Mountaineers are THE BIG EAST vs. THE REST America East Atlantic Atlantic Coast Big South Big Ten Big Big West Colonial Conference USA Independents Ivy Horizon Metro Atlantic Mid-American Missouri Valley Mountain Pacific Northeast Ohio Valley Pacific Patriot League Southeastern Southern West Coast Soccer America Top NSCAA/adidas Top Home Away Neutral

5 NSCAA/adidas TOP 25 RANKINGS NSCAA/adidas Rankings 9/7 Soccer America Rankings 8/30 SoccerBuzz Rankings 8/30 2. Notre Dame (4-0-0) 3 3. UCLA (3-0-0) 9 4. Washington (3-0-0) NR 5. Penn State (3-1-0) 4 6. Florida State (3-0-0) 7 7. Clemson (4-0-0) NR 8. Portland (3-1-0) 6 9. Virginia (4-0-0) Texas (3-1-0) Florida (3-1-0) Santa Clara (1-1-1) Illinois (3-0-0) Connecticut (1-2-0) Texas A& M (2-2-0) West Virginia (3-1-0) Tennessee (1-1-1) Wisconsin (4-0-0) NR 19. Pepperdine (3-0-1) Princeton (1-0-0) NR 21. Kansas (4-0-0) Boston (3-0-0) NR 23. Cal Poly (2-0-1) NR 24. Auburn (4-0-0) NR 25. SMU (2-1-1) NR 2. Notre Dame (4-0-0) 2 3. Florida State (3-0-0) 3 4. Clemson (4-0-0) 5 5. Virginia (4-0-0) 6 6. Texas (3-1-0) 7 7. Santa Clara (1-1-1) 4 8. UCLA (3-0) 9 9. Penn State (3-1-0) Portland (3-1-0) Florida (3-1-0) Washington (3-0-0) Kansas (4-0-0) Connecticut (1-2-0) Tennessee (1-1-1) Kansas (2-0-0) NR 17. Auburn (4-0-0) Nebraska (3-1-0) Pepperdine 3-0-1) Illinois (3-0-0) West Virginia (3-1-0) Cal Poly (2-0-1) Princeton (1-0-0) NR 24. Texas A & M (2-2-0) SMU NR 2. Notre Dame (4-0-0) 2 3. Florida State (3-0-0) 3 4. Virginia (4-0-0) 6 5. Clemson (4-0-0) 5 6. Florida (3-1-0) 5 7. UCLA (3-0) Santa Clara (1-1-1) 4 9. Kansas (4-0-0) Texas (3-1-0) Arizona State (2-1-0) Penn State (3-1-0) Portland (3-1-0) Illinois (3-0-0) Washington (3-0-0) West Virginia (3-1-0) Connecticut (1-2-0) Auburn (4-0-0) SMU (2-1-1) Pepperdine (3-0-1) Texas A & M (2-2-0) Villanova (4-0-0) Stanford (1-2-0) Michigan (2-2-0) Princeton (1-0-0) RV Pronunciation Guide Lana Bannerman...LAWN-a Ban-NER-man Kim Bonilla...Bo-KNEE-a Maura Cirilli...Like Laura Sir-ILL-i Natalie Cocchi...Coch-E Lisa DuCote... Da-COAT-ee Kiley Harris... Keye-lee Marisa Kanela...Ma-RIS-a Ka-NEL-a Emily Kirksey...Kirk-SEE Rachael Minnich...Min-NICK Christina Monzi... Mon-ZEE Laura Papillon...Pap-a-LAWN Kambria Riggins...Kam-BREE-a Brandi Sutphin...Sut-FIN Jacque Sutphin...Jackie Sut-FIN Ashely Weimer...WHY-mer Lisa Zanti...Zan-TEE Nikki Garzon...Gar-ZONE Jenn Deprez...De-PRAY