LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's soccer team hits the road Wednesday for a Gulf South Conference showdown against the No. 4-ranked Auburn-Montgomery Warhawks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. in Montgomery.
The Tigers enter the matchup 3-5-3 overall and 1-2-2 in GSC play, while AUM comes into the contest ranked fourth nationally with an 8-1-1 overall record and a 5-0-1 mark in conference play.
Tigers' Attack
West Alabama has scored 29 goals through 11 matches, led by senior forward David Nunez, who has continued to establish himself as one of the most productive players in program history.
Nunez leads the Tigers with 12 goals, five assists and 29 points while recording 36 shots and 24 shots on goal. His 12 goals rank among the team's top marks, while his 24 shots on target lead West Alabama.
Jesper Bakli and Florian Laot have each contributed four goals and four assists for 12 points. Bakli has registered 17 shots and nine shots on goal, while Laot has seven shots on target on nine attempts.
Oisin Griffin has added three goals and an assist for seven points, while Daniele Ciarlesi has two goals and an assist. Ciarlesi has recorded 10 shots through 10 appearances.
Yabsira Cobo has been a key facilitator for the Tigers with a team-high three assists.
Between the Posts
Dan Erez has started all 11 matches in goal for West Alabama, playing 941:22 minutes.
Erez has recorded 32 saves with a .627 save percentage and a 1.82 goals-against average. He enters Wednesday with a 3-5-3 record and one shutout.
Scouting No. 4 Auburn-Montgomery
AUM enters Wednesday's matchup with an impressive 8-1-1 overall record and 5-0-1 GSC mark, putting the Warhawks among the nation's top teams.
Jaden McKree leads the Warhawks with three goals, one assist and seven points. Benjamin Hoffmann has contributed two goals and two assists for six points while leading AUM with 29 shots and 13 shots on goal.
Harrington Arnette has added a goal and two assists, while Alan De Paula and Sean O'Donnell have each scored twice.
The Warhawks have been especially strong defensively, with goalkeeper Jakob Buhrkuhl starting all nine matches he has played. Buhrkuhl has allowed just five goals across 810 minutes, posting a 0.56 goals-against average, 31 saves and an .861 save percentage. He also has six shutouts and a 7-1-1 record.
Series History
West Alabama holds a 4-3-5 advantage in the all-time series against Auburn-Montgomery. The Tigers are 3-1-3 in road matches against the Warhawks in Montgomery.
The Tigers return to the road Wednesday, October 7, when they face No. 4 Auburn-Montgomery in a GSC matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
