JACKSON, Miss. – The Belhaven women's soccer team kicks off its 2016 season on Thursday at H.T. Newell Field, hosting the Centenary College Ladies at 1 p.m.
Thursday's match will be the first ever regular season meeting between the Ladies and the Blazers. The two programs did meet in an exhibition match in 2015, with Centenary coming out on top with a 1-0 victory.
Belhaven has made a habit of starting the season off on a good note in recent years, going 8-1-1 in season openers dating back to 2006. Overall, the Blazers have collected an 11-7-1 season-opening mark in the history of the program.
The 2015 season was the first for the Blazers as a member of the NCAA Division III and the American Southwest Conference. The Green and Gold compiled a 5-10-1 record overall record last season with a 4-7-1 mark versus ASC opponents.
Belhaven tallied a 2-3-1 record at home last season compared to a 3-7 mark on the road. The Blazers will look to take advantage of home-heavy schedule this season that features 10 home matches and seven away contests.
Centenary, members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference, are coming off a 2-15 season. The Ladies' lone win last season came at home in Shreveport, La. Marissa Hughes, Centenary's leading scorer last season with five goals, returns for her senior season.
The Blazers roster features plenty of fresh faces this season - 13 to be exact, including five transfers. Returning to lead Belhaven are seniors Savannah Raines and Samantha Incaprera, and junior Jessica Mahoney. All three players were named to the ASC Women's Soccer Preseason Watch List.
"We're trying to move in this direction where everyone on the team can step up and be a leader, no matter the capacity that they're in," said Belhaven head coach Josue Sabillon. "I think it's a group effort and a team effort. And that's the approach we want to have as we begin the season."
The women's soccer game versus Centenary on Thursday begins the 2016-17 athletics year for Belhaven. The Blazers men's soccer team faces off versus Centenary proceeding the women's game. Following the conclusion of the men's soccer match at 5:30 p.m., Belhaven Athletics will be hosting a march to Harper Davis Field from H.T. Newell Field for the football season opener at Millsaps. The Blazers Marching Band, Cheerleaders and Dance teams, along with the student body will march to the stadium from Newell Field in support of the Blazers football team. Fans are encouraged to attend all three athletic events to help the Blazers kick off the new year.
Live streaming and live stats for the women's soccer game will be available here.
