DBU (1-0-0) vs WEST TEXAS A&M (0-1-0)
February 24 | 3:00 p.m. | Dallas, Texas | Patriot Field

MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE
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Twitter: @DBUWomensSoccer
Facebook: DBU Athletics

COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
In their last time out, the DBU Women's Soccer team won its season opener on Saturday February 6th with a 6-0 win over the Lady Bison of Harding University. The 6-0 score line was the largest margin of victory the Patriots have ever had in a season opener.

Ashley Merrill kicked off her collegiate career scoring her first goal just two minutes into the game. Merrill would finish with a hat trick and an assist, which saw her earn the United Soccer Coaches National Player of the Week honors; becoming only the second Patriot in program history to do so. Kaleigh Naizer, a freshman who came to DBU at the beginning of the spring semester, provided a stellar performance after just a couple weeks on University Hill. The Midlothian native supplied excellent runs and combinations on the wing which saw her score a goal in the 43rd minute, just eight minutes into her collegiate career.

Kaci Parks and Marit Auee each notched their first goals of the season in the 53rd and 58th minute respectively to round out the scoring for DBU.

The backline for the Patriots was extremely solid in their 2021 debut. By keeping their defensive shape and moving as a unit, the DBU defense did not allow a signal shot in the entire 90 minutes. Although Adrianna Schroeder was not tested on the day, she did an excellent job facilitating and organizing the backline in front of her, which played a big role in keeping away any shot attempts.

PATRIOT STORYLINES
 - 17 Patriots saw action in the match against Harding, proving just how versatile and deep this DBU roster is. Between substitutions and players rotating in different slots around the field, six Patriots saw time along the backline, six in the middle, and eight up front.

 - DBU Assistant Coach Lea Sedwick is in her 10th season on University Hill, four as a player and six as a coach. Since her arrival in 2011, the Patriots are 139-41-19, have won six regular season conference titles, six conference tournament titles, and have been to the NCAA Tournament eight times.

 - Senior Brittany Eccles continues to be a reliable center midfielder for the Patriots, having appeared in 61 matches so far in her collegiate career. Eccles rotates between the 6 and the 8 spots for DBU and is a great box to box midfielder. Her veteran presence will continue to be a big asset for the Patriots in the center of the field this year.

 - Redshirt sophomore Melanie Castelan came off the bench for the Patriots in the first game of the season and saw a solid 45 minutes of action. After a strong freshman season in 2018, one which saw Castelan appear in 20 games, the Hewitt native missed the 2019 campaign due to a season ending injury. The shifty #19 is great with the ball at her feet, able to push the attack forward at a fast pace, and is one of the hardest workers on the field for DBU. She will look to be a strong asset for the Patriot's going forward this season.
 
- Freshman Morgan Black quietly had a great performance for the Patriots in her collegiate debut. Black put in a 72-minute shift and rotated between three different spots: left back, right back, and holding mid. After her collegiate debut, Black looks to be a very reliable and versatile player for Head Coach Michelle Lenard and her staff. Karis Stull also got some valuable minutes under her belt for the Patriots and appeared very comfortable in her left back role. The Goodyear, Arizona freshman showed strong signs on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball.

SCOUTING WEST TEXAS A&M
 - The Lady Buffs finished 5th in the 2019 LSC campaign with a record of 10-8.

- West Texas returns Hannah Kelley-Lusk, a senior who scored a team high 10 goals on the season, paired with five assists. Lusk's contributions earned her 2019 First Team All-Lone Star Conference and First Team D2CCA All-South Central Region honors.

- Head Coach Chad Webb is in his 24th season with the Lady Buffs, 11 of which have seen him at the helm for West Texas.

- The Lady Buffs come into the game with an 0-1 record, losing their one game to DI side Abilene Christian University.

SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots are 6-1-1 all-time against the Lady Buffs.

UP NEXT
DBU will travel out to Commerce, Texas, on Saturday to match up against Texas A&M-Commerce. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.