Women's Soccer Kicks Off 2014 Campaign On Friday, September 5

Bridgeport, Conn.-The 2014 edition of the University of Bridgeport women's soccer team is set to open its 2014 season on Friday, September 5 at 2:00 p.m. versus 2013 NCAA Division II national semifinalist American International College in the opening match of the LIU Post Women's Soccer Classic to be played in Brookville, New York.  The Purple Knights will also face Southern Connecticut State University in the LIU Post Classic taking on the Owls on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.

The Purple Knights come into 2014 ranked number 20 in the nation in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America Preseason NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Poll after a strong 2013 campaign that saw UB post an 18-3-0 overall record and win the East Coast Conference title, plus Bridgeport advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Division II National Tournament, making the program's sixth NCAA appearance in the last seven seasons.  Two of the team's three losses last season came versus American International, this year's first opponent, as AIC topped UB 2-0 in both last season's opener and in the NCAA Second Round contest.

Head coach Magnus Nilerud returns for his sixteenth season on the Bridgeport sidelines.  Nilerud enters 2014 with 194 career victories as his alma mater's head women's soccer coach.

2014 East Coast Conference Preseason Defensive Player of the Year selection, senior Ashleigh Berg (Plymouth, Mass.) is back to anchor the Purple Knights' defense.  Also returning is 2013 ECC Rookie of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year selection Tabea Rauschenberger (So., Mühlacker, Germany), who along with her solid play on defense finished third on the team in scoring last year with 17 points on five goals and seven assists.  Senior Gillian Munro (Manchester, England) will also be a key memeber of the Bridgeport defensive corps.

One of the biggest questions facing this year's UB women's soccer team is replacing standout, four-year starting goalkeeper Julia Hansson.  Look for freshman Lina Domberg (Orebro, Sweden) to get first crack in the Bridgeport net.

On offense, the Purple Knights return their top seven scorers from 2013.  Last season, senior and First Team All-ECC selection Danielle Puddefoot (Slough, England) led the team in scoring with 30 points on 13 goals and four assists.  Fellow ECC First Teamer Flo Gamby (Jr., Goffs Oak, England) was second in scoring during the '13 season with 22 points on nine goals and four assists.

Look for sophomore Amanda Moura (Belo Horizonte, Brazil-five goals and 10 points in '13), junior Gabby Reis (West Haven, Conn.-three goals and four assists for 10 points last year) and sophomores Julia Weidenmark (Varnamo, Sweden-three goals and six points last season) plus Lauren Mengel (Gilbertsville, Pa.-six assists for six points in 2013) to help key the Bridgeport offense in 2014.

After opening the season with four consecutive road matches, the UB women's soccer team will begins its 2014 home schedule with its East Coast Conference opener versus Roberts Wesleyan College at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 19.  Last season, the Purple Knights went a perfect 10-0 at Knights Field.