CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Citadel women's soccer team will kick off 2016 Southern Conference play this weekend when ETSU and Western Carolina come to town.
 
"I am happy with the progress we have made as a squad," The Citadel head coach Ciaran Traquair said. "It will be a great challenge for us playing against two solid teams in the SoCon. I believe we have enough structure and ability to get something from both games. We will need to be at our best for sure and match everything that is thrown at us. This is a great opportunity to possibly prove we have made huge strides as a group."
 
Friday's game will be the first of eight straight conference games for the Bulldogs who are currently ranked second in the SoCon in goals allowed and goals against average.
 
Logan Leask ranks in the top five in multiple categories among SoCon members. The freshman is currently first in saves per game, second in saves, tied for second in shutouts, third in save percentage and shutouts per game and fourth in goals against average.

Samara Nche gave the Bulldogs an early 1-0 lead against Jacksonville State on Sept. 18, recording her first goal this season in the 29th minute. Sam Waarum was credited with the assist on the goal after finding Nche in the box on a throw-in. It marked the second assist this season for Waarum after the junior assisted on a goal by Katherine Arroyo on Aug. 26.
 
The Bucs are currently 5-3-1 overall this season but 1-3-1 on the road. Western Carolina is 3-6 in 2016 and 1-3 on the road.
 
Friday's game against ETSU is slated to begin at 3 p.m. followed by a 2 p.m. kickoff against Western Carolina on Sunday. Live stats and video will be available for both games at CitadelSports.com. For more information on The Citadel soccer, follow @CitadelWSoccer or visit CitadelSports.com.