GREEN BAY, Wis. – The Green Bay women's soccer team is ready to get back in action tomorrow when they host the Western Illinois Leathernecks, before facing Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon.

Thursday, August 25 – Green Bay, Wis. – Aldo Santaga Stadium
Western Illinois vs. Green Bay – 4:00 PM
Free General Admission
Follow the action: Watch (ESPN+) | Live Stats

Sunday, August 28 – Madison, Wis. – McClimon Track/Soccer Complex
Green Bay vs. Wisconsin – 4:00 PM
Follow the action: Watch (BTN+) | Live Stats

Thursday's game marks the 12th meeting between GB and WIU. The teams first matched up in 2000, when the Phoenix shut out the Leathernecks 4-0 in Titletown. All time, Green Bay is 6-5 against Western Illinois, including a 4-2 record at home. The clash against Wisconsin will be the first since 2019 when the Badgers defeated Green Bay 2-0. The Phoenix will look to garner their first win against Bucky in the 18th meeting between the two programs.

ABOUT WESTERN ILLINOIS
The Leathernecks enter their 26th season in program history, competing in the Mid-Con for the first 10 years before moving to the Summit League ahead of the 2007 season. Josee Primeau begins her first year at the helm of the program, being promoted to head coach after serving as the team's associate head coach since April 2020. Primeau was an influence in turning around a two-win spring season in 2021 to win 11 games in the fall of 2021.

Amy Andrews is the key name to watch for Western Illinois. In the Leathernecks' season opener on Aug. 18, Andrews scored both WIU goals, racking up six shots (four on goal) in their 2-2 draw with Eastern Michigan.

ABOUT WISCONSIN
Paula Wilkins leads the Badgers into her 16th season in Madison as one of the most accomplished women's soccer college coaches in the region. Wilkins is 168-90-49 through 15 seasons at Wisconsin and also boasts a 287-109-60 overall. The Badgers have made the NCAA Tournament nine times since Wilkins' arrival in 2007.

The Badgers are led by senior Emma Jaskaniec, a forward from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. Through the first two games of the season, she leads Wisconsin with four shots, is tied with Adee Boer in points (2), shots on goal (2), and goals (1).

HEY, SOUL SISTER
Maddie Cruz, who transferred from Madison to Green Bay prior to the 2021 season, will face her old squad, which includes her sister, Ally Cruz. The sisters grew up in Fitchburg, Wis., just 15 minutes south of the state capital, and attended Madison Edgewood High School.

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS
The Phoenix finished 5-0-4 at Aldo Santaga Stadium last season with an average margin of victory of +1.10. GB shut out Chicago State 3-0 in the 2022 home opener last Sunday.

THE NUMBER OF THE DAY IS 2
Julie Grutzner took over as Interim Head Coach for the final six games of the 2021 season. Green Bay went 2-2-2, boasting the no. 2 scoring defense in the Horizon League. The Phoenix surrendered just .887 goals per game, only behind Milwaukee's league-leading .374 GAA.

MAGNIFICENT MASON
Goalkeeper Annie Mason has been stellar since coming to Green Bay last season. On Sunday she posted her eighth career shutout (in just 17 games), blanking Chicago State 3-0. It tied Mason with Becky Grable (1992-95) for fifth all-time in GB history. Mason's next clean sheet (9th) will put her in a three-way tie for third with Nastacia Behle (2012-15) and Brooke Wikgren (2004-07).

NEW PHOENIX FACES
GB announced on May 26 the addition of 13 newcomers to the 2022 roster, which includes 12 freshmen and one junior. Katelyn Fishnick, Zoey Pagels, and Sierra Morgano, three of the freshmen, highlight the 2022 recruiting class. Fishnick was a WSCA First Team All-State member, Pagels was the WSCA Player of the Year in 2022, and Morgano became a US Youth Soccer National Champion in 2022.

###

For the latest and most up-to-date information on Green Bay Athletics, please visit GreenBayPhoenix.com.

Follow us on Twitter: @GBPhoenix and @gbphoenixwsoc

Follow us on Instagram: @gbphoenix and @gbphoenixwsoc

Like Green Bay Phoenix Athletics and Green Bay Women's Soccer on Facebook.

---GreenBayPhoenix.com---