THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke kicks off its home slate versus longtime rival Smith College Saturday afternoon (1:00) at the Soccer Field. It will be the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) opener for both squads. In 36 previous meetings between the programs, the Pioneers own a 25-9 advantage. They downed the Lyons for the fourth time in a row last fall, winning by a score of 2-0. The two teams have finished in a deadlock on twice.
Match Program

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (0-3, 0-0 NEWMAC) has fallen in each of its first three matches of the year after posting four wins in 2010. The Lyons opened their season at the Red Dragon Classic last weekend. After falling 3-0 to Kenyon College on Saturday, they dropped a 7-0 decision to host SUNY Cortland the following day. In the team's most recent outing, they were downed 3-0 by #15 Amherst College on Wednesday. Now in her fourth season at the helm, head coach Kanae Haneishi will look to captains Jacquelyn Archibald and Mary Cooke to lead her team to its third straight appearance in the NEWMAC Tournament. Cooke racked up team highs of 11 points and five goals last fall, while Archibald found the net once. Meanwhile, midfielder Mallory Phaneuf added a squad best three helpers. Goalkeeper Elaine Harvey has returned to the team after a one year hiatus. She has collected 32 saves thus far this season.

THE PIONEERS: Smith (0-3, 0-0 NEWMAC) has suffered three straight setbacks to begin the 2010 campaign. The Pioneers opened their season with a heartbreaking 1-0 loss at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on September 6. After falling 2-1 to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth in their home opener last Saturday, they were topped 6-0 by Keene State College on Thursday. Forward Fiona Jones netted Smith's lone goal of the year using an assist from defender Claire Riordan. Lindsey Gregor has played all 270 minutes between the pipes, making 26 saves. Last fall, the Pioneers posted an overall record of 3-12-1 and failed to qualify for the postseason.  The top returning scorer from that club is forward Eleanor Theurer, who recorded three goals and an assist. Midfielders Emma Coffin and Emily Peake also tallied goals in 2009. Gregor finished with a goal against average of 2.56 and a save percentage of .734.  

NEXT UP: Mount Holyoke will return to action on Tuesday, when it visits Wesleyan University for a non-conference tilt beginning at 4:30 p.m. Smith is scheduled to host Elms College on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.