DBU (2-0-0) vs MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (0-1-0)
March 3 | 5:00 p.m. | Wichita Falls, Texas | Stang Park

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Twitter: @DBUWomensSoccer
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COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
In their last time out, the DBU Women's Soccer team won its conference opener on Wednesday February 24th at Patriot Field in a hard fought 2-1 victory. In a match that was tightly contested, the Patriots displayed their resilience as Ashley Merrill's fifth goal of her career found the back of the net in the 93rd minute to secure the DBU win with the Golden Goal.

Throughout the match, West Texas A&M immediately pressed DBU when the Patriots had the ball. For many teams, this would cause them to panic or change their style of play; however, each of the 11 girls on the field for DBU displayed the confidence that they have in their system as they were able to break the pressing lines of West Texas and build the ball up the field.

The backline of DBU was tested several times from the speed and tactical runs from the front runners of West Texas; however, spatial awareness and smart defending would see chances limited. Between the trio of Marit Auee, Gabrielle Heller, and Summerlyn Heller, the three defenders who saw the most action for the Patriots, 22 interceptions were made, and 28 defensive challenges were completed. When goalie Adrianna Schroeder was tested, she came up big for the Patriots – making eight saves on the day.

On the offensive side, the Patriots returned the former All-American Abigail Olmos from injury. Olmos provided excellent runs coming out of the midfield for DBU and was able to connect with her attackers to create several good chances. Sophomore Jenna Patterson was busy on the left wing again and proved to be a tough matchup for the outside backs of West Texas, creating four goal scoring chances for the Patriots. Patterson's corner in the 61st minute of the match would be the assist that broke the deadlock, her 2nd assist in as many games.
 
In the 3rd minute of overtime, Kaci Parks would play a ball in the box off of a set piece from the right side of the field. Merrill would beat her marker, find the ball, and head it into the back out the net to secure the win for DBU.

PATRIOT STORYLINES
 - Melissa Jones continues to show her influence in the midfield for the Patriots as she has completed 87.5% of her passes so far this season, with 16 of those being slid into the final third of the field for DBU.

 - DBU Graduate Assistant Coach Grace Johnson has been a staple for the Patriots the past six years. Johnson arrived on University Hill as a freshman in 2015 and spent four years on the roster as a goalie. After graduation, Johnson became a GA for Michelle Lenard's staff and provides valuable insight, training for the keepers, and help for the women's program.

 - Through the first two games of the season, the Patriots have an average xG (expected goals) of 4.2; xG is the expected number of goals of a player or a team excluding penalty goals. The number of expected goals is calculated depending on the type of the shot and zone, from which this shot was made. To put it simply, this offense can create.

 - Although the 2019 leading goal scorer Delaney Schmidt has not yet opened her goal account for the 2021 campaign, she has still shown strong signs going forward for the Patriots. Schmidt has created four chances on the year and has had three herself. A sign of a good attacker is the amount of times they are getting in dangerous areas; Schmidt's first goal is certainly approaching.
 
- In her first game of the year, junior Gabrielle Heller displayed why she's been named Co-Preseason Defensive Player of the Year for the Lone Star Conference. Up against the Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in Hannah Kelly-Lusk, and one of the most explosive offenses in the conference, Heller won 80% of her challenges and had six interceptions.

SCOUTING MIDWESTERN STATE
 - The Mustangs finished the 2019 LSC campaign in 10th with an overall record of 4-12-2.

- MSU returns their leading goal scorer in the 2019 campaign, Kelly Cannistra. Cannistra finished the season with five goals and two assists.
 
- The Mustangs are looking to replace 2019 All-Lone Star Conference Second Team selection in Imani Morlock. Morlock lead MSU in assists with four in the 2019 season.

- Head Coach Ryan Spence is in his 3rd season in charge at MSU. Spence, a former player at MSU, was a three time All-American during his time as a center back for the Mustangs.

- The Lions come into the game with an 0-1 record, falling to Central Oklahoma by a score of 1-0.

SERIES HISTORY
The Patriots are 1-3 all-time versus the Mustangs in regular season meetings. Up until the Patriots first season in the LSC in 2019, DBU and MSU had not had a regular season matchup since 2006.

UP NEXT
DBU will make the short trip up to Denton, Texas to face off with Texas Women's University on Saturday, March 6th. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.