Women’s Soccer Kicks Off 2018 at #5 South Carolina

Columbia, S.C. – (August 17, 2018) - The first official game of the 2018-19 Fordham Athletics calendar take place on Friday night, as the Fordham women's soccer team takes to the pitch for its first game of the regular season. The Rams are in Columbia, South Carolina, to face the South Carolina Gamecocks of SEC, who are ranked fifth in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll. GAME COVERAGE: Fordham at South Carolina – 7:00 PM ET – Live Video (SEC Network + - Subscription) | Live Stats | Follow on Twitter @FordhamWSoccer SERIES HISTORY: This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools, as well as the first time that Fordham has played a team from the SEC. In addition, this is Fordham's first contest against a ranked opponent since 2011 (vs. #25 La Salle - T, 1-1 (2OT)). SEASON OPENERS: In season opening matches, Fordham has had a mixed bag of results, posting a 11-12-2 mark. The Rams won their season opener last season with a 2-0 victory over Nevada. TEAM CAPTAIN: The Fordham women's soccer team has selected senior Brooke Salmon as its team captain for 2018. "Brooke was a unanimous decision among the players and coaches. She has lead this program since she arrived on campus her freshman year and has developed as a leader with each season," said head coach Jessica Clinton.

Brooke Salmon

The native of West Hempstead, N.Y., Salmon has been an impact player for the Rams since arriving at Rose Hill as a freshman in 2015. She has appeared in all 61 games over the past three seasons, starting 59 of those games. She has also shown flexibility over her time at Fordham, playing all over the pitch from an attacking midfielder to center back. No matter where she has been, Salmon has been one of the Rams' offensive threats, netting nine goals, four of which are game-winners, and six assists in her career for 24 points. Salmon has been honored by the Atlantic 10 in each of her three seasons at Fordham, receiving All-Rookie Team honors in 2015, Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors as a midfielder in 2016, and Second Team All-Atlantic 10 honors as a defender in 2017. After setting career-highs with six goals and 16 points as a sophomore, Salmon helped lead the Fordham defense to a new school record for goals against average at 0.82 during her junior campaign. PRESEASON POLL & AWARDS: With the regular season set to open this week, the Atlantic 10 Conference announced its preseason coaches' poll and All-Conference team for women's soccer this afternoon. Saint Louis took the top spot in the poll with 10 first place votes, followed by La Salle, who received four first place votes. George Mason and Duquesne tied for third in the voting, followed by VCU, Saint Joseph's, Dayton, George Washington, Fordham, Massachusetts, Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Davidson, and Rhode Island. The top eight teams in the conference will advance to the 2018 Atlantic 10 Championship at the end of the season with opening round games at campus sites. The semifinals and final then move to Dayton's Baujan Field on November 2-4. EXHIBITION ACTION: The Rams played two exhibition contest during the preseason, falling to Albany and Stony Brook, both by 1-0 scores.

FORDHAM MOVES TO ESPN+ FOR WEBSTREAMING: With Fordham women's soccer kicking off the new year this weekend, don't forget that the only way to watch the Rams' Atlantic 10 sports is to subscribe to ESPN+. Fans will get access to home games, road conference games, and much more! Get more info by going here. WHO'S NEXT: Following Friday's game, Fordham stays on the road for its next game, where the Rams travel to Holy Cross on August 24th, for a 5:00 PM game.