SAN ANTONIO, Texas – The Lubbock Christian University men's soccer team opens Lone Star Conference play with match against #16 St. Mary's.
Lubbock Christian (4-1-3) at #16 St. Mary's (6-2-1)
Wednesday Oct. 3, 2023 – 7:30 PM
Sigma Beta Chi Field – San Antonio, Texas
LAST TIME OUT
- The Chaps wrapped up their nonconference schedule with a scoreless draw against Dallas Baptist.
- Tom Miles collected three saves in the match.
CHAPARRAL HEADERS
- The Chaps are off to a 4-1-3 start to begin the season.
- LCU has outscored their opponents 15 to 10 through the first eight games.
- The Chaps are averaging 1.88 goals per game on 12.4 shots a game.
- LCU opponents have been held to 1.25 goals per game and only a .102 shot percentage.
- LCU is 7-2-1 in their last 10 conference openers.
- The Chaps have taken 99 shots with 42 of them being on goal.
I CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES
- Tom Miles has been one of the best goalkeepers in the nation this season, ranking 7th nationally in saves.
- He is first in the Lone Star Conference in saves, saves per game, and save percentage.
- Miles recorded shutouts against Northwest Nazarene and Dallas Baptist.
DYNAMIC DUO
- The Chaps have been led offensively by the duo of Saimon Gjeci and Pablo Galietero Diez.
- Gjeci leads the team with four goals and has added an assist.
- Saimon ranks top-10 in the LSC in goals and points.
- Galietero Diez has scored three goals and has recorded two assists.
- Pablo ranks top-10 in the Lone Star in shots and shots on goal.
SHARING THE WEALTH
FURTHER BACK
- The Lubbock Christian men's soccer program began in 2010 with a 3-1 win against the University of the Southwest (N.M.). On Nov. 9, 2021, in the opening round of the LSC Tournament, the Chaps won their 100th match in program history, rolling over UT Permian Basin 6-0.
- The Chap program enters the 2023 season with an overall record of 108-89-27.
THE SERIES WITH ST. MARY'S
- The Chaps and Rattlers have been evenly matched over the years. The all-time series has been split 5-5-1.
- StMU beat the Chaps 2-1 in 2022.
- LCU is 3-2-1 all-time on the road against the Rattlers.
SCOUTING THE RATTLERS
- StMU comes into Wednesday's match with a 6-2-1 record and are ranked 16th in the Nation.
- The Rattlers have outscored their opponents 15 to seven through their first nine games.
- They average 1.67 goals per game and allow just 0.78 goals a game.
- St. Mary's has taken 96 shots, 50 of which have been on goal.
- They average 10.7 shots a game with a .156 shot percentage.
- On the offensive end, the Rattlers are led by Cian Foley and Alexander Carey.
- Foley has scored five goals and has two assists. He ranks top-10 in the LSC in goals, shots on goal, game winning goals, and points.
- Carey has added four goals of his own.
- Gael Gallegos has scored two goals and has an assist as well.
- Goalkeepers Andre Schiaefli and Johnny Thurbin have split time in goal for the Rattlers.
- Schlaefli has started five games making 18 saves and has a .783 save percentage.
- Thurbin has started four games making 18 saves and has a .900 save percentage.
- They have recorded two shutouts each.
- St. Mary's is coached by Johnny Clifford who is in his sixth season.
- The Rattlers were the 2022 Lone Star Conference Regular Season Champions and made it to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
- They finished 2022 with a 12-2-6 record and went 7-0-2 in Lone Star play.
- The Rattlers were picked to repeat as champs in the LSC Preseason Poll. Andre Schlaefli was the preseason goalkeeper of the year and Andrick Ferrer was the preseason defensive player of the year.
A WIN WOULD
- Give the Chaps their fifth win of the season.
- Give LCU their 114th win in program history.
- Give the Chaps a 1-0 conference record.
