LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama Women's Soccer team is set to hit the road for the first time in the 2024 season as the Tigers are slated for a 4:00 p.m. matchup against the Clayton State Lakers on Friday, before returning home on Sunday for an 11:00 a.m. contest against the Nova Southeastern Sharks.

West Alabama (1-0) comes into the weekend after winning their season opener against Tusculum this past Sunday. As for Clayton State (2-0), they enter after defeating two GSC teams last week in the Delta State Statesmen, 4-1, and the AUM Warhawks, 1-0, while Nova Southeastern (0-2) comes in after losses to Mississippi College and Rollins last week.

"We are excited about the upcoming games this weekend, said hed coach Sam Wilson. "We think it will be a great test for our team against two talented teams. Our opponents this weekend will give us two good challenges. Clayton state already have two wins over quality GSC opponents, so it will be a great measuring stick for us early in the year." 

After a seven-win season and a trip to the GSC Semifinals last year, UWA got their 2024 campaign started, by showcasing a defensive masterclass in their 1-0 shutout win over the Pioneers. The Tigers dominated the possessions, resulting in Tusculum only getting off five total shots throughout the entire match. West Alabama will need to replicate that type of defensive performance against a Clayton State team that has scored five goals in their two matches.

Leading the Lakers' offensive charge is Amiah Sprunger-Hightower, Leah Agrell, and Carrie Consolino. Sprunger-Hightower broke onto the scene and put the entire country on notice last season as the forward scored 15 goals, resulting in a multitude of end of season awards. With All-Region and All-Conference selections now on her resume, the junior will appear at the top of every team's scouting report, giving more opportunity for her teammates to shine such as Agrell and Consolino. Agrell and Consolino are the current goal leaders on Clayton State's roster in 2024 with two goals apiece, creating an uber talented trio with Sprunger-Hightower who will be a nice test for West Alabama before they enter conference play next weekend.

Defensively for the Lakers, Goalkeeper Trinity Christian leads the way. Christian has only allowed one goal on 10 shots thus far and after helping Clayton State to their two wins over the Statesmen and Warhawks, the senior was named the PBC Goalkeeper of the Week and will now have her hands full with UWA's offensive attack.

West Alabama lost their top goal scorer from 2023 in Venla Makela and now need someone to fill that void. Senior Alieen Charles would seem to be the one to assume that role as she ranked second on the team in goals, behind Makela, last year with four. Alongside Charles is Emily Callahan who ripped a team-high five shots in the Tigers win over the Pioneers with three of those shots being on goal. Junior Selis Demirci wasn't known as an aggressive striker last season, but she was the one that found the back of the net to propel West Alabama to their win on opening day. There are viable options and an immense amount of talent for head coach Sam Wilson to be able fill the void that Makela has left.

After two games in the 2024 season, Nova Southeastern is still on the hunt for their first win. The Sharks have struggled offensively to begin year, failing to score in their two losses to the Choctaws and Tars. Nova Southeastern was one of the best teams in the South Region last season as they finished the year with a 12-5-1 record and a trip to the NCAA South Region Championship game.

 In the offseason, the Sharks lost their top three goal scorers in Luana Grabias, Tabea Schutt, and Dani Correa. That trio combined for 27 goals in 2023 and were the vital pieces to Nova Southeastern's tournament run. The Sharks are much younger in the new season as they added seven freshmen to their roster in the offseason. Alexa Bereczski is an example of one of those freshmen that Nova Southeastern is banking on to make an immediate impact this season.

"Nova Southeastern are always quality, so we will have to be at our best to compete and find points," coach Wilson closed.

Friday's contest against Clayton State is set for 4:00 p.m. in Morrow, Georgia while Sunday's home matchup against Nova Southeastern is slated for 11:00 a.m.