MOREHEAD, Ky. -- With a bevy of veterans back and newcomers hungry to contribute, Morehead State soccer begins the home portion of its 2021 schedule Saturday night with an exhibition match against Northern Kentucky.

The match begins at 6 p.m. ET at the MSU Recreation and Wellness Field. Admission is free. The Eagles have one outside competition behind them already, tying Wright State 0-0 on Wednesday. The regular-season home opener is also at home as the Eagles will battle North Alabama Thursday at 6 p.m.

In goal this season, the Eagles will feature three veterans. Michelle Jerantowski, a transfer from Jacksonville, saw the most time in net during the spring schedule, seeing action in eight of the 10 matches with a team-best 1.15 goals against average. Also looking for time between the posts is Grace Gaffney and Kayla Landman. Gaffney played in three matches in the spring, while Landman was the mainstay in 2019 with 13 matches and 73 saves.

On offense, the Eagles return their top two point earners. Fourth-year veteran Colleen Swift scored a pair of goals in the spring, while third-year midfielder Eva Kiper came in with a goal and an assist. Second-year Abby Wesselkamper and third-year forward Nicole Fiantaco also contributed goals this past season.

Eleven others - Kate Larbes, Gabby Nastasi, Katie Kiolbassa, Caitlyn Burdine, Sidney Palla, Anna Lohrer, Sarah Faloon, Chelsea Elmore, Madison Feldhaus, Kayla Womack, Madelyn Mozeleski, and Christa Palla all return after playing significant minutes in the spring. 

Other veterans in the program include Evan Kays, Katelynn Setters, Abby Vanhoeve and Abby Bischoff. 

Newcomers looking to contribute include transfer Jennifer Ramirez and freshmen Abby Manning, Sammy Prather, Allie Bush, Libby Van Wagnen, Amy McGimsey, Emma Livingston and Avery Redmon. 

Head coach Warren Lipka enters his 13th season leading the program and his 29th as a collegiate head coach. He is a three-time OVC Coach of the Year.