JACKSON, Miss. - The Belhaven Women's Soccer Team officially begins its journey in NCAA competition at cross-town rival Mississippi College on Thursday. The Blazers will kick off the season at 4 p.m. at Robert P. Longabaugh Field.
The Blazers hold a 4-2-0 edge overall against Mississippi College in the 18-year history of the program. However, the Choctaws have taken the last two matches, including last season. This will be the first time in series history that the teams will compete in back-to-back seasons.
The teams often play each other early in the season, with Thursday's match being the fourth latest in series history. The latest the two teams have ever played in the season came on September 17, 1999, when the Blazers shut out the Choctaws 2-0.
The Blazers have recent history in season openers on their side, dominating the starters since 2006. During that span, the Blazers are 8-0-1, including seven clean sheets. Belhaven has outscored their opponents 50-5 during the stretch.
Overall, the Blazers are 11-6-1 in the opening games of the first 18 seasons, including wins against the Choctaws. Belhaven is 2-0 against Mississippi College in season openers with a 4-0 win in 1997 and a 2-0 victory in 2009.
Last season in the opener, sophomore forward
Jessica Mahoney had a bright start to her Belhaven career, scoring four goals on seven shots in her first collegiate match.
Mahoney looks to continue where she left off last season. The Slidell, La. native finished the 2014 campaign with eight goals on 20 shots on goal.
Belhaven will also look to three seniors to lead the way as the 2015 edition of the Blazers features 14 newcomers. The trio of seniors,
Ashley Harber,
Dani Craft and
Laura Quintero, were all named to the American Southwest Conference Preseason Watch List.
In three seasons, Harber has scored 14 career goals in 52 matches played. Quintero, also a four-year player for the Blazers, has racked up five goals and five assists in her career. Craft recorded one goal in 12 matches last season, her first with the Blazers after transferring from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
The 2015 season marks the first year for the Blazers in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). Belhaven Athletics transitions to NCAA Division III membership, as the Blazers will compete in the American Southwest Conference. Belhaven will also compete as members of the National Christian College Athletic Association.
Belhaven has been very successful against ASC opponents, holding an 18-2-1 record over the ASC all time and a 14-1-1 record against current members of the conference.
The Blazers will make their home debut under the lights on Saturday against Asbury at 7 p.m. in the Belhaven Bowl.
