SARASOTA, Fla. - New College of Florida Women's Soccer returns to NCF Bayfront Field Friday as the Mighty Banyans host Florida College (1-4-0) at 11 a.m. in the opening match of a New College men's and women's soccer doubleheader.
NCF (4-0-1, 0-0) returns home following a 3-3 draw at Thomas University on Saturday in Thomasville, Georgia. The Mighty Banyans entered the match 4-0 for the first time in program history and came away unbeaten to extend their best start in program history through five matches.
Through five matches, NCF has scored 43 goals while attempting 206 shots. The Mighty Banyans lead The Sun Conference in goals, scoring average and shots, with their 8.60 goals per match more than three goals ahead of the next-highest scoring average in the conference. NCF's 43 goals and 206 shots also lead the NAIA.
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RECORD START CONTINUES: NCF enters Friday unbeaten through five matches for the first time in program history. The Mighty Banyans opened the season with four consecutive victories before earning a 3-3 draw at Thomas on Saturday.
BACK AT BAYFRONT: Friday marks NCF's first home match since a victory over Florida National on Aug. 25. The Mighty Banyans played their previous three matches in Georgia, earning victories over Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and Wesleyan College before drawing Thomas.
NAIA'S TOP OFFENSE: NCF leads the NAIA with 43 goals and 206 shots through five matches. The Mighty Banyans are averaging 8.60 goals and 41.2 shots per match while converting 20.9% of their attempts.
SUN LEADERS: NCF also sits atop The Sun Conference in goals, scoring average and shots. The Mighty Banyans have placed 106 of their 206 shots on goal and hold a plus-39 goal differential through five matches.
WOERNER LEADS THE WAY: Naomi Woerner enters Friday leading The Sun Conference with nine goals and 22 points while ranking second in the conference with four assists. She has attempted 24 shots and placed 14 on goal through five matches. Woerner has also earned national and conference recognition during NCF's historic start, earning PrestoSports NAIA Offensive Player of the Week honors while being named The Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week in each of the first two weeks of the season.
HARDY AMONG SUN'S BEST: Faith Hardy has scored eight goals and added two assists for 18 points through five matches. She ranks second in The Sun Conference in goals and third in points while sharing the conference lead with Woerner at 14 shots on goal.
DYNAMIC DUO: Woerner and Hardy have combined for 17 of NCF's 43 goals and 40 points this season. Both also rank among the top five nationally in scoring, with Woerner at 22 points and Hardy at 18.
BENJAMIN MAKING AN IMPACT: Sarah Benjamin enters Friday with four goals and three assists for 11 points. She ranks fifth in The Sun Conference in goals, fourth in assists and sixth in points after recording the first hat trick of her collegiate career against Wesleyan.
ATTACK FROM EVERYWHERE: NCF features four players among the top eight in The Sun Conference in shots per match. Woerner ranks second at 4.80, Chloe Nickell is fourth at 4.20, Hardy ranks fifth at 4.00 and Daniela Nieto is eighth at 3.40.
KNOW THE OPPONENT: Florida College visits NCF Bayfront Field for Friday's non-conference matchup. The Falcons and Mighty Banyans will meet for the fifth time in series history, with NCF having won each of the last three meetings.
UP NEXT: Following Friday's match, NCF will travel to Jacksonville to face Trinity College of Jacksonville on Tuesday at 4 p.m.
