LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The University of West Alabama Women's Soccer team is set for their first GSC home match of the season as the Tigers welcome the Montevallo Falcons for a 7:00 p.m. matchup on Wednesday.
In honor of Wednesday's match being the first home conference match of the year, the West Alabama Soccer program is asking all fans to wear red for a red out event at the UWA Soccer and Track Complex.
West Alabama (1-3-1) enters the midweek contest after tying with Trevecca Nazarene, 2-2, on Sunday while Montevallo (3-1-1) comes in winners of their last two matches, with victories over AUM and Valdosta State.
The Tigers have struggled on the offensive end to begin the year, but broke their cold streak against the Trojans on Sunday as Abbey Roberts and Aileen Charles delivered the second and third goals of the season. Charles is one of the more offensively gifted players on UWA's roster, and after scoring four goals last season, she will continue to be a focal point for head coach Sam Wilson's squad in 2024.
Roberts scored the first goal of her West Alabama career on Sunday after transferring in from Holmes CC in the offseason of 2022. The senior isn't known for her offensive prowess, but is stellar on the defensive side. The Defender has been a solid option off the bench for the Tigers to begin the year and will need to be great, alongside Defenders such as Lily Graham and Amy Denholm, on Wednesday night if the Tigers want to slow down a red hot Montevallo offense.
The Montevallo Falcons come into Wednesday's matchup with West Alabama after scoring nine goals in their past two matches. The Falcons exploded for six goals in their win over the Warhawks last Wednesday before following that up with three goals against the Blazers on Saturday. Montevallo has scored in four of their five matches thus far in 2024 and are led by sophomore Forward Isabel Dillehay. Dillehay currently leads the Falcons and the conference with three goals on just seven shots. The sophomore has already surpassed her total goals scored from 2023 and is in the midst of a breakout season for the surging Falcons.
Alongside Dillehay, Rilee Bradbury and Shadia Valenzuela have both scored two goals through five matches, creating a talented trio for Montevallo.
A tough challenge awaits West Alabama as they attempt to slow down this Falcons' offense but the Tigers arguably possess the best goalkeeper that Montevallo has seen so far this season. UWA's Dior Wilson has been a bright spot for West Alabama as the senior ranks fourth in the GSC in saves with 27. 77 shots have been fired at the goalkeeper but Wilson has only allowed seven to hit the back of the net, resulting in an 80 percent save percentage which sits fifth in the league.
Wednesday's red out matchup against Montevallo is set for 7:00 p.m. from the UWA Soccer and Track Complex.
