CLARKSVILLE – Austin Peay State University women's soccer team will celebrate its 15-year anniversary and recognize five seniors this weekend, 6 p.m., Friday against South Alabama, and 1 p.m., versus Alabama State, at Morgan Brothers Soccer Field.
The Governors have invited all former soccer players to attend a special reunion and recognition during halftime of the South Alabama match. On Sunday, APSU will celebrate Senior Day as five student-athletes – Brianna Avitabile, Gina Fabbro, Mary Ruth Locastro, Natalie Smith and Nicole Wojcik – will be recognized during pregame.
The five seniors have combined for 39 goals over four years, with 26 of those credited to Fabbro. The Canadian has bagged two goals to begin the season, and now needs four to tie Ashley Beck for second all-time at Austin Peay.
The accolades for the 2016 class doesn't stop there. Locastro has logged the most minutes of the five at just over 4,500, Smith is a proven back-line defender, Wojcik has been a goal-scoring machine with nine over two seasons and Avitabile has been a reliable midfielder with loads of experience.
Last weekend, the Govs dropped back-to-back matches at Western Kentucky, 2-1 in overtime, and Lipscomb, 3-1. Freshman Renee Semaan and junior Kirstin Robertson recorded each of the APSU goals, with the latter being the first penalty kick opportunity of 2016.
South Alabama rolls into Clarksville hot off the biggest victory in program history. The Jaguars upset the No. 1 team in the nation, Florida State, with Charde Hannah scoring the game's only goal in the 24th minute. Justice Stanford picked up the shutout, making eight saves while facing 28 FSU shots. Overall, South Alabama is 3-2-1 on the year.
Meanwhile, Alabama A&M enters the weekend at 1-5, with its lone win coming over Alabama-Huntsville on Sept. 4. It was the Bulldogs only goal scored thus far in 2016, and have now been outscored 29-1.
Last Time Against Opponents
South Alabama: The Govs traveled to Mobile, Alabama, last season, falling 2-1 to the Jaguars. Gina Fabbro answered in the 52nd minute off an assist by Shelby Olszewski, but South Alabama scored the game-winning goal in the 81st to win.
Alabama A&M: In 2012, the most recent game in the series, Austin Peay defeated the Bulldogs 6-1. Prior to that, in 2011, the Govs set a program record for the most goals in a single game with 14.
Keep An Eye On
Special K. Kirstin Robertson continues to be an offensive force for the Govs. Robertson currently ranks tied for second in the Ohio Valley Conference for most goals scored.
Worth the Cost…antino. Sophomore Katie Costantino has been one of the first players to enter off the bench for APSU, and has been a solid option in the midfield, playing over 50 minutes in the previous two contests.
Follow the Govs Online
Be sure to follow all the Austin Peay soccer action at LetsGoPeay.com and the official Facebook page of Austin Peay Athletics. In addition, live play-by-play coverage can be found on Twitter (@AustinPeaySocr), while the matches can be streamed at OVCDigitalNetwork.com.
