LIVINGSTON, Ala. – The University of West Alabama women's soccer team returns home Friday evening to open Gulf South Conference play, hosting the University of Alabama in Huntsville at the UWA Soccer Field at 5 p.m.
The Tigers enter the conference opener at 1-2-0 overall after suffering some road setbacks in their most recent outings. UWA will look to use its home field to get back in the win column while beginning the GSC portion of its schedule.
UAH comes to Livingston at 2-2-0 after also suffering a road loss in its most recent match. The Chargers, however, opened the season with a notable 1-0 road victory over No. 15 Tampa last week, giving UWA a tough opponent to begin conference play.
TIGERS' OFFENSE
UWA has scored two goals through its first three matches, with midfielder
Allie Kimbrell leading the Tigers offensively. Kimbrell has started two of three matches and has recorded one goal and one assist on two shots, putting both of her attempts on target.
Campbell Wysong has also contributed offensively with one goal and one assist while recording two shots and one shot on goal.
The Tigers have generated 30 shots through three matches, putting 16 on frame.
Kya Jacobs leads the team with 11 shots, including six on goal, while
Sofia Lacey has added six shots with two on target.
UWA's attack will face a UAH defense that has allowed just 17 goals across its last 17 matches dating back to the previous season and enters Friday's match with a .840 team save percentage in that span.
Sophomore goalkeeper
Yumari Hernandez has played all 270 minutes for the Tigers this season, making 20 saves while posting a .800 save percentage. Hernandez has allowed five goals through three matches for a 1.67 goals-against average.
Chargers' Attack
UAH enters Friday's GSC opener, having scored six goals through its first four matches. The Chargers have been led offensively by Cara Tortelli, Prescott Hull, Addison Knauss, Adriana Rojas and Michella Tortelli, who have each found the back of the net once.
Cara Tortelli has added a team-high three points with one goal and one assist, while Hull, Knauss, Rojas and Michella Tortelli each have two points. Caila Batchelor has also contributed one assist.
As a team, UAH has recorded 39 shots with 17 on target through four matches, while allowing four goals on 62 opponent shots.
The Chargers have received strong play between the posts from CeCe Szopa and Kacey Powell. Szopa has started all three of her appearances, posting a 0.80 goals-against average and a .900 save percentage with 18 saves. She has also recorded two wins and one shutout.
Powell has appeared in two matches and owns a 1.33 goals-against average with 12 saves and an .857 save percentage.
Szopa was also named the GSC Goalkeeper of the Week last week following her strong start to the season.
SERIES HISTORY
The Tigers own a 12-4-2 advantage in the all-time series against the Chargers and have won each of the last two meetings.
UWA claimed the most recent matchup, earning a 2-0 road victory at UAH on Oct. 24 last seasons. The Tigers will look to extend their current two-match winning streak against the Chargers when the teams meet Friday.
Friday's match marks the beginning of the GSC play for both teams. UWA will look to start a conference competition with a home victory as the Tigers welcome UAH to the UWA Soccer Field for a 5 p.m. kickoff.
