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WILEY UNIVERSITY WILDCATS
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The Lady Wildcats open the season at Pemberton Field for the first time in program history.
The Lady Wildcats open the season at Pemberton Field for the first time in program history.
Posted: Aug 21, 2024

Women's Soccer opens 2024 season against Nelson, North American

The Wiley University women's soccer team kicks off the 2024 season with a home match against Nelson University at 4 p.m. Thursday at Pemberton Field and visit North American University at 5 p.m. Saturday.

Live statistics are available for both matches and the links are listed in the women's soccer schedule on wileyathletics.com. The Lady Wildcats are looking to compete in their first full season since 2018 after the 2023 campaign ended after two matches due to injuries. For the third straight season, they'll be under the leadership of a new head coach with Andrew Benitez taking the reins after Rafael Gonzalez was promoted to Director of Athletics.

Five players return from last season: captains Yajaira Hernandez and Esmeralda Vazquez, Alexse Orozco, Carissa Escamilla and Nadia Cortez, who also plays on the volleyball team. Deyanara Hernandez, who played during the club season in 2022, rejoins the team.

Benitez and Gonzalez brought in 10 new players with nine freshmen. Thursday's match will mark the first time the Lady Wildcats have opened the season at Pemberton Field. It will be the fifth time they've met Nelson, formerly known as Southwestern Assemblies of God University. The schools split the four previous meetings, with the Lady Lions claiming the win last season. Wiley's victories came in 2014 and 2015. Nelson makes their first visit to Marshall.

The Lady Lions are coming off a 12-8-1 season, which ended with a berth in the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association National Championship. Anna Bewley is the leading returning scorer with 28 goals and 11 assists. Stephanie Hernandez followed with 15 goals and five assists. Starting goalkeeper Zoe Boldt graduated after last season. Samantha Longoria got 34 minutes of action last season and is joined by freshmen keepers Anna Amara and Tanner Sorenson. Nelson enters its first season under the leadership of Cesar Espana.

In its first full season, North American University won six of 15 games and three of 10 during Red River Athletic Conference play. Genevieve Colon is the leading returning scorer with 10 goals and five assists. The Lady Stallions start a new goalkeeper this season. Ava Wilson earned a shutout against Arlington Baptist on August 17. Hannah Kim scored two goals in the 4-0 decision. Saturday will mark the first meeting between the Lady Wildcats and Lady Stallions.

For more coverage on the Lady Wildcats visit https://wileyathletics.com/sports/wsoc/index

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