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THE MATCHUP: Mount Holyoke welcomes the Mountaineers of Southern Vermont on Thursday in the 2016 season-opener for both teams. The match marks the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs, dating back to the first contest in 1998 - a 1-0 Mountaineers win. The series advantage falls to Mount Holyoke, which owns a 3-2-0 margin, including wins in each of the last three meetings.

THE LYONS: Mount Holyoke (0-0-0) begins its season after a 2015 to remember. The Lyons posted a 9-7-3 overall mark - its best record since the 1992 season. MHC also went 4-3-3 in NEWMAC action, advancing to the conference tournament for the first time since the 2009 season. Mount Holyoke returns nine of its top-10 scorers from a year ago, including sophomore Sara Sanaú Ruiz, who was a NEWMAC All-Conference First Team honoree a year ago after posting a team-best 15 goals with an assist for 31 points.

THE MOUNTAINEERS: Southern Vermont (0-0-0) opens its campaign following a 2015 season in which it posted an 11-7-1 overall record. The Mountaineers went 6-2-1 in NECC play last season, advancing to the conference semifinals where it shouldered a 2-0 loss to Elms.  SVC returns eight of its top-10 scorers from a season ago, including sophomore Molly Madore, who posted a team-high 15 goals with six assists for 36 points in her rookie season.

NEXT UP: Mount Holyoke returns to action on Saturday when it hosts UMass-Dartmouth at 1pm. Southern Vermont is also back on the pitch this weekend, hosting Dean College at 1pm on Sunday.