MONTGOMERY/LIVINGSTON, Ala. – Through the first seven conference matches of the season, the West Alabama men's soccer team holds an undefeated mark of 3-0-4. The Tigers will look to continue the undefeated ways this week when they travel to Auburn Montgomery this Friday at 7 p.m. before hosting Montevallo on Sunday for Senior Day beginning at 7 p.m.
UWA will honor their four seniors (Peter Oyetunji, Richard Lopez, Oliver Johnson and Alex Fernandez) on Sunday. Below is some information on each player, as well as a quote from head coach Ross Nelson.
Oyetunji, from London, England, has spent his entire collegiate career in Livingston after arriving in 2019. He started right away as a true freshman in 2019 seeing time in 16 games that included five starts. He collected a goal in 530 minutes. During the 2020-21 season, he saw time in nine games that included eight starts. He logged 582 minutes and came away with a goal and two assists. Last year, Oyetunji played in 17 games that included 13 starts, he scored three goals in 821 minutes, with two of the goals being game-winning scores. Entering this week, Oyetunji has played in nine games that includes six starts and he has logged 370 minutes. For his career he has played in 51 games that includes 32 starts, 2,303 minutes, scored five goals and two assists.
"Peter has been a great addition to the team. He has brought a huge physical presence to our front line and has proved to be a handful for many teams," Nelson said.
Lopez, from Houston, Texas, has also spent his entire collegiate career in Livingston arriving in 2019. During his true freshman year, Lopez saw time in nine games that included a start, he came away with three shots on goal in 238 minutes played. During the 2020-21 season, he played in nine games that included six starts. He came away with a goal and two assists in 579 minutes. During the 2021 year, Lopez saw time in 17 games that included 13 starts, he tallied two goals and three assists, with one goal being a game-winning goal in 1,190 minutes. This season, Lopez has started 10 games, logging 821 minutes and an assist. For his career entering this week, Lopez has played in 45 games that includes 30 starts, 2,828 minutes, three goals and six assists.
"Richie has been simply outstanding since his arrival. His attitude, application and desire to win is next to none. He deservedly got named team captain this year, and it was one of the best decisions that me and my staff have ever made!" Nelson said.
Johnson, from Gardendale, Ala., also spent his entire career in Livingston since arriving in 2019. Following a redshirt season in 2019, Johnson saw time on the field during the 2020-21 season playing 94 minutes that included a start against Faulkner. He also played against Delta State that season. Johnson was part of last year's team that collected seven wins and reached the GSC Tournament and has been part of the undefeated run so far in conference this year. Overall, Johnson has played in two games and logged 94 minutes during his time at UWA and has been apart of 18 wins during his time at UWA.
"Oliver has been a joy to work with since he joined the team. Always with a smile on his face and never any problems on or off the field. It has been a pleasure to watch him grow and develop into the fine young man that he is today," Nelson said.
Fernandez, from Anniston, Ala., has also played his entire collegiate career in Livingston after arriving in 2019. Following a redshirt season in 2019, he was part of the 2020-21 team that competed in the spring during the shortened season as UWA tallied four wins. Fernandez competed in one game during the 2021 season as the Tigers made the push to the GSC Tournament following a seven-win campaign. Fernandez has been apart of 18 wins throughout his career at UWA.
"Alex is a coach's dream. Since his arrival, he has done nothing but show up every single day and give his absolute best! His loyalty to the program, along with his reliability, and selflessness is something that will take him very far in life. I wish Alex nothing but the best!" Nelson said.
After starting the week with a 0-0 draw against Christian Brothers, UWA (3-2-5, 3-0-4 GSC) rolled to the 4-0 win over Union, putting together a big second half scoring all four goals. The UWA defense hasn't allowed more than one goal except for once this season, clear back to the season-opener against Carson-Newman when they allowed two. Seven times this season the Tigers have posted a shutout.
Following a tie and loss to start September in Florida, UWA has gone 3-0-4 once the calendar turned to conference play. Patrick Sacher helped the Tigers break out with the season-high four goals last time out and was named the GSC Offensive Player of the Week in the process.
Sacher leads the team with four goals and eight points. Killian Griffin, Harry Colville, Alex Fernandez, Baronyi Kengeye, Brandon Marquez and Shane Pettit all have a goal on the season. Along the back row, Yannick Pohland has logged the most minutes on the team with 878. Richard Lopez adds 821 minutes and Ellis Williamson is right behind with 792. In goal, Harry Deveney is 3-2-4 on the season with 27 saves and an 87.1 save percentage. He has six solo shutouts this year.
A look around the Gulf South Conference standings has UWA sitting in a tie for third with 13 points along with Auburn Montgomery. The top-four teams will host first round matches to being the conference tournament. Montevallo leads the standings at 5-1, with West Florida second at 4-0-2. Right behind UWA is Lee and Christian Brothers who each have 12 points.
Deveney ranks high nationally in several categories including 10th in goals against average (.487), seventh in save percentage and leads the GSC (87.1), second and leads the GSC in shutouts (6). Sacher is 70th nationally and fifth in the GSC in goals per game (.50).
As a team, UWA leads the GSC in save percentage (88.2), shutout percentage (70) and team goals against average (.43).
UWA has gone 3-2-3 against Auburn Montgomery since 2016, with the teams tying three of the past five meetings. The Warhawks have won the past two meetings, with the last UWA win coming in 2017 by a 3-0 score.
Auburn Montgomery is 4-4-2 overall and 4-2-1 in GSC play entering this week. Last time out they picked up a 1-0 road victory at Spring Hill and prior to that battled to a 2-1 loss at West Florida.
Aristarchus Oluwatuyi leads the team with four goals and eight points. Phillip Spickenbaum adds three goals and six points. Jamos Hauk and Franck Kouentchi each have two goals on the season. Hauk leads the team with 900 minutes played, with Landon Surratt adding 865 minutes. In goal, Alexander Kraus has played in 10 games that includes nine starts, going 4-4-2.
Senior Day will arrive on Sunday as UWA will host Montevallo. The Tigers are 6-5 in the series with the Falcons since 2012, winning four of the past six meetings. Montevallo recorded the win in the most recent meeting by a 2-1 score in Montevallo. The Falcons have won the past two meetings in Montevallo.
The Falcons are off to a strong 6-1-3 overall record and 5-1 mark in GSC play, posting a 4-0-1 record at home. Prior to falling to West Florida by a 2-1 score last time out, Montevallo had won five straight. They will face Alabama Huntsville on Friday before UWA comes to town on Sunday.
Cabieces Edorta Sanz leads the team with six goals and three assists for 15 points. Narcis Bou Dalmau adds four goals and four assists for 12 points. Julio Rojo and Gabriele Valerio each have three goals apiece on the season. Salvador Plaza has logged 900 minutes, with Martin Chladek having played 893 minutes. Plaza has been the only goalie to see time this season for the Falcons and is 6-1-3 with four shutouts, coming up with 42 saves.
Following this week, UWA will close the regular season with three straight road games. They will travel to Alabama Huntsville (Oct. 15), Lee (Oct. 21) and Shorter (Oct. 23) before the GSC Tournament will arrive on Oct. 30. The rematch against Alabama Huntsville won't count as a conference contest.
