LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama men's soccer team returns home Friday night to open Gulf South Conference play, hosting the University of Alabama in Huntsville at 7:30 p.m. at the UWA Soccer Field.
The Tigers enter conference play at 0-2-1 overall and will look to pick up their first victory of the season against a UAH squad that has opened the year unbeaten at 3-0-0.
Tigers' Offense
West Alabama has scored four goals through its first three matches, with five different Tigers finding the back of the net.
David Nunez leads the Tigers with four points on one goal and two assists. Nunez has also been one of UWA's most active offensive players, recording 11 shots with five on target.
Jesper Bakli, Oisin Griffin, and Mathias Ibanez have each scored once, while Florian Laot has also found the back of the net. Yabsira Cobo and Kevin Garcia have each recorded an assist.
Cobo has been particularly active in the attacking third, registering four shots with three on goal, while Griffin has put both of his shots on frame. Ibanez has also placed his lone shot on target.
Erez Between the Posts
Freshman goalkeeper Dan Erez has started all four matches for the Tigers, playing all 360 minutes in goal. Erez has recorded 15 saves while facing 49 shots and owns a .600 save percentage.
Unbeaten Chargers
UAH enters Friday's matchup with a perfect 3-0-0 record and has scored 10 goals while allowing just one through its first three matches.
The Chargers are led by Oli Orzechowski, who has exploded for four goals and eight points on 16 shots, including 10 shots on target. Orzechowski was named the GSC Player of the Week after scoring twice last week.
Luis McCabe, Nick Morrow, Samuel Quickfall, Oliver Rigby, Alejandro Tocino Vidal and Emil Wigren have each added a goal for UAH.
The Chargers have also received contributions from Brennan Leblanc, Donovan Pruitte, Stellios Starakis and Brewer Wall, who have each recorded an assist.
UAH Goalkeeping
UAH has split time in goal between Sonny Wright and João Fernandes. Wright has started three matches and owns a 0.36 goals-against average with eight saves and an .889 save percentage. He has recorded three wins and one shutout.
Fernandes has made one appearance and has not allowed a goal in nearly 22 minutes of action.
As a team, the Chargers have allowed just one goal through three matches while making eight saves.
Series History
West Alabama leads the all-time series against UAH, 9-7-3. However, the Chargers have won the last two meetings, including a 1-0 victory over the Tigers in Huntsville last season.
The Tigers will look to end that two-match skid while opening GSC play on their home field Friday night.
West Alabama opens its Gulf South Conference schedule against UAH on Friday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m. at the UWA Soccer Field in Livingston, Ala.
