LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN (8-4-1, 4-1-1) at
TEXAS A&M INTERNATIONAL (9-4-1, 5-2-0)
Thursday, October 31 – 7 p.m.
Laredo, Texas
 
CHAPARRAL HEADERS

• Lubbock Christian enters the weekend with 13 conference points and a 4-1-1 league record. They are currently in fifth place in the Lone Star Conference
• Both of LCU's opponents this weekend are receiving votes in the United Soccer Coaches top 25 poll, with St. Mary's at No. 10 nationally
• The Chaps have played past the 90 minute mark in each of their last five games, posting a 3-1-1 record in overtime contests so far this season
• Sophomore forward Fernando Flores is third in the Lone Star Conference and ranks No. 37 nationally in total points this season after adding two in the win against UT Tyler
• Lubbock Christian is one of just five conference teams averaging more than two goals per game this season while allowing only 1.54 goals per game on average from their opponents

 
90 PLUS
In each of the last five Lubbock Christian men's soccer games, it has taken more than the regulation time of 90 minutes for a winner and loser to be decided. The last game the Chaps played that ended in just 90 minutes was on October 3 in a 2-4 loss to Midwestern State. Two of the last five games have ended with a golden goal in overtime, two got the game-winner in the second overtime, and one ended in a draw. LCU is 3-1-1 in games that have gone into overtime, with golden goals from Fernando Flores, Hector Rodriguez-Cabo and Richie Vaca-Cordova.
 
QUICK STRIKE
In the Chaps' most recent game against UT Tyler, they scored almost immediately after the game began, with Abdou Joof netting a goal just one minute and 43 seconds into the game. It is the earliest goal ever scored by a Chap player, breaking the previous record of two minutes and 10 seconds set by Cade Von Heimburg in last season's 4-0 win against Southern Nazarene University. UT Tyler responded quickly with a goal of their own, but LCU still pulled out the win, making them 6-1 overall in games where they score first.
 
GOAL-DEN OPPORTUNITIES
Lubbock Christian's offense has done well to take advantage of its scoring opportunities this season. They rank fifth in the LSC in both shots per game (13.77) and are putting almost half (6.23) of those shots per game on goal. The Chaps also have a shot percentage of .151 this season, leading to their stellar average of 2.08 goals per game. So far this year, eight different LCU players have found the back of the net, and six of those have scored multiple times. Another four LCU players have tallied multiple shots on goal this season but have been unable to find the back of the net so far. If this offense holds up, LCU will have its highest goals per game average for a season since 2014 when it was 2.14.
 
LOOKING AT THE LSC
A new team sits atop the Lone Star Conference standings this week, as St. Mary's took down Midwestern State 3-2 in overtime last week and claimed the league's No. 1 spot with 18 points. St. Edward's remains in second, 6-6-2 overall but 5-1-1 in LSC play, with Midwestern State and Texas A&M International in a tie for third. Lubbock Christian is still in position to make the LSC post season tournament in fifth, with West Texas A&M trailing six point behind in sixth. This weekend's matchups will be important for the Chaps, as they face two teams ahead of them in the league's point standings.
 
SCOUTING TAMIU

• The Dustdevils were previously ranked in the United Soccer Coaches poll this season and are currently just out of the top 25 but still receiving votes
• Josh Jones has done the majority of the goalkeeping for TAMIU, making 51 saves while allowing 1.27 goals per game
• Ruben Neilsen is the offensive leader for the Dustdevils with the most goals and assists on the team, and he ranks fourth in the Lone Star Conference with 20 total points
• Texas A&M International has lost three of their last four games, but two of those were to ranked opponents in No. 21 Palm Beach Atlantic and No. 5 Midwestern State
• The Dustdevils have only played three home games so far this season compared to nine road games, but they are 2-1 at their own field

 
THE SERIES WITH THE DUSTDEVILS
Lubbock Christian and Texas A&M International are tied in their all-time series, with each team having won three games apiece. The Dustdevils won the first-ever meeting in 2013 and have been victorious in each of the last two as well, with the Chaps winning three straight from 2014-2016. There has never been a tie in the all-time series.