LIVINGSTON, Ala. - Conference play is here for the University of West Alabama Women's Soccer team as the Tigers head to Tennessee this weekend for road matchups against Lee on Friday at 4:00 p.m. and Trevecca Nazarene on Sunday at 2:00 p.m.

West Alabama (1-2) enters GSC play this weekend coming off of back-to-back losses to Clayton State and Nova Southeastern. For Lee (0-2-2), they enter after tying with #3 Lenoir-Rhyne and falling to Lander, 2-0, on Saturday, while Trevecca (1-2) comes in after back-to-back losses to Kentucky Wesleyan and Carson Newman. 

After beginning the year with a win over Tusculum, UWA has struggled to score, leading to their two losses to Clayton State and Nova Southeastern. The Tigers have only scored one goal this season that came off the foot of Selis Demirci in their 1-0 win over the Pioneers in the season opener. Emily Callahan is one of the Tigers' best offensive players as she leads the team with three shots on goal, but hasn't been able to find the back of the net yet in 2024.

The strength of this West Alabama squad lies with their defense. With Goalkeeper, Dior Wilson, in goal, UWA has only allowed two goals this season. Through three matches, Wilson currently leads the GSC with an 88.2 save percentage while ranking second in saves per game with 5.0. While only allowing two goals, the senior has made 15 saves, keeping the Tigers in every single match they've played in this year.

While Wilson has been exceptional in goal, Defenders Amy Denholm and Lily Graham have both played vital roles for the Tigers, resulting in their defensive success. Denholm has been a staple in West Alabama's lineup since she arrived in 2021 and assumes a large role for UWA in 2024. The same can be said for Graham who is in her second year in the program. Both Denholm and Graham will look to continue to fortify West Alabama's defense, with the offense attempting to find their rhythm this weekend.

The Lee Flames have been a powerhouse in the Gulf South Conference for the past couple of years, winning the GSC Championship in two of the last three years. The Flames have put together a 47-5-10 record across the past three seasons, but In 2024, Lee has gotten off to an uncharacteristic start, beginning the campaign winless though their first four matches. 

Much like the Tigers, Lee hasn't been able to score this season, only accumulating one goal in four matches. Grace Berry has scored the Flames lone goal which came against third-ranked Lenoir-Rhyne. In the past two years, Berry played a large role on those dominant Lee teams, playing and starting in 39 games and scoring 13 goals from her Midfielder position. The junior is arguably the Flames biggest returner in 2024, along with Defenders, Jordan Blair and Nora Burton.

Trevecca Nazarene is set to make their GSC debut this weekend as the matchup against the Tigers on Sunday will be the programs first ever home GSC contest. Coming from the Great Midwest Conference, the Trojans finished with a 6-7-5 record in 2023, falling in the first round of the Midwest Conference Tournament.

Jordan Hellman, Selina Jud, and Allie Windom have scored the three goals for the Trojans in 2024, while Midfielder, Kylie Bradshaw leads the team in shots with six. Hellman transferred in from Lincoln Memorial this past offseason and is expected to be heavily involved for Trevecca. Bradshaw is another player to keep an eye out for on the Trojans' roster as she competed in 15 games last season, as a true freshman, and has already registered 103 minutes along with her team-high six shot attempts this season.

West Alabama's conference opener against Lee is set for Friday at 4:00 p.m. while Sunday's matchup against Trevecca is slated for 2:00 p.m.