LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY (4-6-0, 3-3-0) at No. 3 MIDWESTERN STATE UNIVERSITY (10-0-0, 6-0-0)
Thursday Oct. 5, 2017 – 7:00 p.m.
Stang Park (Wichita Falls, Texas)
LCU Twitter: @LCUChaps, @LCUMensSoccer
MSU Twitter: @MSUMustangs
CHAPS FLIGHT DECK
• Lubbock Christian University men's soccer has geared up and made their way to Wichita Falls, Texas for a cross-division Heartland Conference tilt with No. 3 ranked Midwestern State University. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the MSU's Stang Park.
• The Chaparrals are 3-3-0 in Heartland Conference play and 2-2-0 in conference cross-divisional matches this season.
• Head coach
Paul Gilbert and his squad hold a 1-1-0 record in conference matches on the road in 2017 and a 4-10-0 overall road record since Gilbert took the reins at the beginning of the 2016 campaign.
STORY LINES
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Abdou Joof is coming off a strong performance where he tucked away a second half game-winning goal against West Division rivals Eastern New Mexico. Joof has racked up three goals on the season and now ranks tied for fourth in the Heartland Conference with two game-winners.
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Louis Callaghan leads the Lubbock Christian squad with seven points. The Manchester, England native has appeared in five contests (starting in four) and has recorded points in three of his appearances.
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Parker O'Quinn has been crucial for the Chaps in the net in 2017. In seven appearances, the sophomore ranks fourth in the Heartland with a .845 goals-against average, third in the conference for saves (25) and third in clean sheets with three.
• Since the 2010 season, LCU has squared off with ranked foes on 15 occasions. In those matches, the Chaparrals hold a 3-10-2 overall record. Two of those losses have come against Midwestern State. Today's match against the Mustangs will serve as Lubbock Christian's third contest this season against a ranked opponent.
• LCU's last win over a ranked foe came in the 2013 season against then-No. 13 St. Edward's University. The Chaps bested the Hilltoppers in a 1-0 result at Lewis-Chen Field in Austin, Texas. All three of Lubbock Christian's wins against ranked opposition came in the 2013 campaign. Of those three winning results, two came on the road for the Chaparrals. On Oct. 5, 2015, LCU faced then-No.2 Midwestern State in Wolfforth, Texas and the two teams played to a double overtime 2-2 draw.
SCOUTING MSU
• The Mustangs are riding a wave of success this season as they have marched to a perfect 10-0-0 start to kick off the 2017 season. Midwestern State enters Thursday evening ranked No. 3 in the nation.
• MSU has captured player of the week honors in three of the Heartland's first four weeks this season. Scott Doney, the offensive player of the week for Sept. 4 and Sept. 28, leads the Mustang roster with 18 points on eight goals and two assists. Senior keeper Richard Goss received defensive player of the week honors on Sept. 18 and leads the Heartland with a conference-low three goals allowed and a .397 goals-against average.
• The Mustang defense has held strong throughout the beginning of the 2017 campaign. Of their 10 wins, seven have come in shutout fashion.
• Sebastian Venegas leads the Heartland and ranks 22
nd nationally with five assists. Venegas has played and started in all 10 of Midwestern State's contests.
• The MSU offense has made a habit of outlasting opponents and striking in the second period. Of the Mustang's 25 goals, 15 have come during the second half of play.
SERIES HISTORY WITH MSU
Midwestern State leads the all-time series over the Chaparrals with a 2-0-1 record. The Mustangs have outscored LCU 10-3 over the three meetings. The Chaps have not played in Wichita Falls, Texas since their initial meeting in the 2014 season, where MSU shutout Lubbock Christian 4-0. Since their inaugural meeting, LCU has played the previous two matches of the series at home drawing with the Mustangs 2-2 in 2015 and losing 4-1 in 2016. Excluding today's contest, Midwestern State has been ranked in two of the three all-time meetings.
