Tribe to Open the 2007 Season at UNC Greensboro and N.C. State this Weekend

08/29/07 12:00PM

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. - The 27th-ranked William and Mary women’s soccer team will open the 2007 season with matches at UNC Greensboro and North Carolina State this weekend. W&M will square off against the Spartans on Friday at 7 p.m., while it will take on the Wolfpack on Sunday at 1 p.m.

In preparation for the upcoming season, the College hosted George Washington in an exhibition match last Thursday and earned a 3-0 victory. Junior forward Claire Zimmeck, a preseason Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree, recorded a hat trick to lead the Tribe. Junior midfielder Danielle Collins, also named to the preseason Hermann Trophy Watch List, provided an assist. Sophomore forward Kellie Jenkins and sophomore midfielder Sarah Quinlan also registered assists. Junior goalkeeper Meghan Walker played all 90 minutes to earn the shutout.

With eight starters returning from last season’s team that posted a 16-1-4 mark, the Tribe was recently picked to win the Colonial Athletic Association. Additionally, Zimmeck was selected as the preseason CAA Co-Player of the Year, while Collins also earned a spot on the preseason all-conference team.

Last year, the College registered a school-record .857 winning percentage and was ranked eighth nationally in the final RPI released by the NCAA. Additionally, W&M earned an at-large NCAA Tournament bid and concluded the season with a school-record 17-match unbeaten streak.

UNCG returns eight starters from last season’s team that posted a 13-8-2 overall record and claimed the Southern Conference Championship after going unbeaten in league action. However, the Spartans will have to replace 2006 SoCon Player of the Year Shannon Donovan. Last season, the Tribe defeated UNCG, 3-1, in Williamsburg. Zimmeck, Collins and Emily Kittleson all notched goals for the W&M in the triumph. W&M owns a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series with the Spartans.

The Wolfpack returns seven of its top eight scorers from last year’s team that earned an 11-9-2 mark. Senor Jessica O’Rourke leads the group of returnees, as she tallied a team-best 19 points on eight goals and three assists in 2006. Last season, W&M and N.C. State battled to a 1-1 draw in Williamsburg. Jenkins scored the Tribe’s goal.