Women's Soccer | 8/18/2016 4:13:00 PM

STATESBORO, Ga. – The Georgia Southern women's soccer team opens its 22^nd season this weekend with a pair of games. Friday's game at 7 p.m. is at home against UNC Wilmington and Sunday's game at 2 p.m. is at Jacksonville State.
 
Georgia Southern played exhibition games against Jacksonville University and University of Georgia last week, beating the Dolphins 2-1 and tying the Bulldogs 1-1. Senior forward Jennifer Wittick was named to the Preseason All-Sun Belt Team after leading the Eagles with 11 goals last season.

The Eagles begin their regular season slate against UNC Wilmington, which is receiving votes in the preseason National Soccer Coaches of America Association (NSCAA) poll. The Seahawks posted a scoreless tie against High Point in their only exhibition game and returns 17 letter-winners from last year's team, which set a school record with 15 wins and an advancement to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Seahawks are picked to finish fifth in the Colonial Athletic Association, and senior goalkeeper Carolyn Huddy earned Preseason All-Colonial Athletic Association honors.

UNCW and Georgia Southern will meet for the third time in a series tied at 1-1. The last time the two teams faced was in August 2014, where the Eagles defeated the Seahawks 2-0.

Georgia Southern will then travel to Jacksonville State on Sunday to face off against the Gamecocks at 1p.m. Jacksonville State finished in a three-way tie for third place last season, and was picked to finish fifth in the Ohio Valley Conference this year. The Gamecocks begin their season Friday against Middle Tennessee State.

The two teams are tied in a series at 1-1 and the last time they played each other was in 2000, Jax State winning 1-0.

Following Sunday's home match, the Eagles will return home for games against North Florida and UNC Charlotte.

Georgia Southern Athletics provides up-to-date information on all its sports through its official website, GSEagles.com, through social media channels facebook.com/GSAthletics, twitter.com/GSAthletics, iOS app Georgia Southern Eagles and Android app Eagles GATA. Fans can purchase tickets to Georgia Southern Athletics events by visiting GSEagles.com/Tickets.