Women’s Soccer Carries Momentum Into Road Contests This Week

MONTGOMERY/MONTEVALLO, Ala. – Coming off of another perfect week at home, the West Alabama women's soccer team will hit the road to face Auburn Montgomery this Friday at 5 p.m. and then will close the week on Sunday at Montevallo beginning at 1 p.m. in Gulf South Conference action.

UWA (6-4, 5-2 GSC) has been off to a perfect start at home moving to 5-0 in Livingston after picking up wins over Christian Brothers and Union both by 2-1 scores.

Dana Cruz continues to put together an impressive season as the sophomore striker leads the team with six goals and also leads the team with four assists for 16 points. She tallied three of the four goals this past week.

Paige Laidler is second on the team with four goals, while Mikayla Anderson, Anna Dickov and Venla Makela all have two goals apiece. Anderson picked up the game-winning goal last time out against Union scoring in the 84^th minute.

The back line has been strong and consistent this season. Saylor Richard, a true freshman, has logged the most minutes on defense with 880. Senior Lucy Horn has played in 854 minutes and Laidler adds 804 minutes. Goalie Maria Mon is third on the team in minutes played with 834 and has all six wins in goal this season. She has made 41 saves and holds a 75.9 save percentage. Mon has one solo shutout this year and two combined shutouts.

West Alabama enters the week right in the thick of the Gulf South Conference top-four race. UWA is currently tied with Montevallo for fourth in the standings and a possible chance to be one of the top-four teams that would host a first round conference tournament game. West Florida leads the way at 7-1, with their only loss being to West Alabama. Mississippi College is second at 6-1, followed by Lee at 5-0-2.

Cruz ranks high nationally in multiple categories this season. She is 53^rd in assists per game (0.40), 59^th in goals per game (0.60), tied for the national lead in being perfect on penalty kicks this year, 43^rd in points per game (1.60), 42^nd in total assists (4), 51^st in total goals (6) and 43^rd in total points (16). Laidler is also tied for the national lead in being perfect on penalty kicks this year. Mon ranks 84^th nationally in total saves (41).

UWA has gone 4-1 in the series since 2014 against Auburn Montgomery and have won three straight in the series. Last year, the Tigers cruised to the 4-1 win in Livingston and won last time out in Montgomery during the 2019 season by a score of 2-1.

The Warhawks are 2-7 on the season and 2-4 in GSC play. They won last time out by a 2-1 score against Spring Hill. AUM has only played two games so far at home this season going 1-1.
Mayson Jaindl leads the team with 11 points, tallying five goals. Julia Simoes adds two goals. Rebecca Jamieson has started nine games in goal, picking up a win. Karla Gaytan also have a win in net.
UWA will close the week at Montevallo on Sunday. The Tigers are 4-2-2 in the series since 2011, having tied the last two times. UWA is 4-0-2 in the last six meetings and have held a 14-3 scoring edge in those meetings.

Montevallo is 9-2 overall and 5-2 in GSC play, going 5-0 at home this season. Last time out they lost to West Florida by a 5-1 score and will face Alabama Huntsville before UWA comes to town.
Angelina Rivas leads the team with five goals and 10 points. Espy Sanchez adds three goals and an assist for seven points, while Alea Taube, Marica Miljanovic and Tori Ochoa have two goals apiece. In goal, Emily Hounsell is 5-1 with 22 saves, while Jolie Cazale has 19 saves and is 4-1 in goal.

Following the road trip this week, UWA will return home to host Valdosta State on Friday (Oct. 14) and then West Georgia on Sunday (Oct. 16) to close out the regular season home portion of the schedule.

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Players Mentioned

#7 Mikayla Anderson: MF; 5' 1"; Junior

#9 Dana Cruz: F; 5' 2"; Sophomore

#13 Anna Dickov: MF; 5' 1"; Sophomore

#8 Lucy Horn: D; 5' 6"; Junior

#5 Paige Laidler: D; 5' 7"; Senior

#24 Maria Mon: GK; 5' 7"; Graduate Student

#21 Venla Makela: F; 5' 2"; Freshman

#26 Saylor Richard: D; 5' 7"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#7 Mikayla Anderson
: 5' 1"; Junior
: MF

#9 Dana Cruz
: 5' 2"; Sophomore
: F

#13 Anna Dickov
: 5' 1"; Sophomore
: MF

#8 Lucy Horn
: 5' 6"; Junior
: D

#5 Paige Laidler
: 5' 7"; Senior
: D

#24 Maria Mon
: 5' 7"; Graduate Student
: GK

#21 Venla Makela
: 5' 2"; Freshman
: F

#26 Saylor Richard
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: D