INSTITUTE, W.Va. — WVSU will spend its first week as a nationally ranked squad traveling to South Euclid to take on Notre Dame College, then return home for a rematch against a highly capable Davis & Elkins team.

THE BUZZ AT STATE
WVSU has been raising eyebrows around the national United Soccer Coach's Poll since the week 3 poll that came out on Sept. 20 following a 2-1 victory over then No. 6 Concord and a 9-3 rout of Davis & Elkins, who knocked off Concord just one game after WVSU did. Three weeks later, WVSU hit the regional poll at No. 2 and the national poll at No. 20.

Fran Soares-Cupertino is now the nation's leading goal scorer in D-II with 16 goals scored and 1.33 goals per game. She also leads the country in points scored and points per game with 40 and 3.33 respectively. Senior Esther Dhiramo has struck string eight times followed by graduate student Brooklyn Pritt who has scored five goals. 

Sophomore netminder Laura Galindo has allowed 10 goals in her 11 matches played and has made 44 saves.

WVSU has scored 41 goals on opponents, averaging 3.417 goals per match. 

SCOUTING THE FALCONS
The Falcons come into Wednesday's midday match at 4-4-3 overall, 3-3-3 in the North Division. 

The Falcons's offensive charge is led by Freshman Maridza Desir and Junior Madison Marino who have four goals each. 

Senior Jordan Pasalaqua has started 10 matches for the Falcons in goal and has only allowed nine goals. She has faced 113 shots, and made 48 saves of the 57 shots on goal taken by opponents.

The Falcons have scored 15 goals this season, averaging 1.364 goals per match. 

SCOUTING THE SENATORS
The Senators are 6-4-1 on the season, 5-4-1 in the MEC South. WVSU travelled to D&E on Sept. 15 and knocked off the Senators, 9-3. The match was tied at three when D&E's starting goalie was sent off in the 22nd minute for denial of an obvious goal scoring opportunity forcing the Senators to play the remaining 68 minutes with only 10 players. WVSU tacked on six more goals following the Senator's red card.

The offense is led by Junior Alexa Karsel who has seven goals in 11 matches and helped on nine additional goals. Freshman Seika Ikezoe is just behind with five goals and two assists.

Katie Clarke is the Senators's starting goalie and has allowed 19 goals in her 10 matches of play and has made 39 of 58 saves.