LUBBOCK, Texas – The Lubbock Christian University men's soccer team returns home to take on Oklahoma Christian Saturday afternoon at the LCU Soccer & Track Facility.
Though Oklahoma Christian is a Lone Star Conference member the game will be considered a "nonconference" match.
Lubbock Christian (4-1-1) vs. Oklahoma Christian (1-3-3)
Saturday Sept. 23, 2023 – 3:30 PM
LCU Soccer & Track Facility – Lubbock, Texas
LAST TIME OUT
- The Chaps suffered their first loss of the season Wednesday night, falling 2-0 to West Texas A&M.
- Tom Miles made six saves in the loss.
- LCU only totaled seven shots with just two being on goal.
CHAPARRAL HEADERS
- The Chaps are off to a 4-1-1 start to the season. Outscoring their opponents 13 to eight.
- LCU is averaging 2.17 goals per game, the third most in the Lone Star Conference.
- The Chaps average 13.8 shots per game with a .434 shot on goal percentage.
- Chap goalkeepers have made 32 saves through the first six games.
- Pablo Galietero Diez is the reigning LSC Offensive Player of the Week.
I CAN SEE FOR MILES AND MILES
- Tom Miles has been one of the best goalkeepers in the LSC this season, ranking 1st in the conference in total saves and saves per game.
- He has made 30 saves this season, the next closest goalkeeper in the LSC has made only 18.
- He averages 6 saves per game, the next closest goalkeeper in the conference makes 3.5 saves per game.
- He recorded his first shutout of the season against Northwest Nazarene after making eight saves, including a save on a NNU penalty kick.
- He has faced 70 shots this season and has a .789 save percentage.
SUPER SAIMON
- Saimon Gjeci has been one of the top goal scorers in the LSC in 2023.
- His team-high four goals puts him in 6th place in the Lone Star Conference.
- He is also top-10 in the LSC in points, shots on goal, and shots.
THE NOT-SO-SECRET WEAPON
- Pablo Galietero Diez was named the LSC Offensive Player of the Week on Tuesday (Sept. 19).
- Last week he helped lead the Chaps to a 2-0 record after scoring the game winning goal against Northwest Nazarene and recording a goal and assist against South Dakota Mines.
- He is currently in the top-10 in the LSC in shots, shots on goal, and game winning goals.
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 OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN
- The Chaps lead the all-time series 10-4-2.
- They faced each other three times in 2022. LCU was 1-2 in those games.
- The Chaps fell 2-1 (2OT) to the Eagles in the first round of the LSC Tournament last season.
SCOUTING THE EAGLES
- OC comes into Saturday's game with a 1-3-3 record. Last time out they fell 1-0 to UT Tyler.
- The Eagles have played three nationally ranked opponents this season, falling 2-1 to #18 Rogers State, drawing with #14 Colorado Springs, and losing 4-0 to #4 CSU Pueblo.
- They also drew 0-0 with Southern Nazarene who received votes in the national poll.
- The Eagles have been outscored by their opponents six to nine.
- The Eagles have taken 94 shots this season with 42 being on goal.
- Though the Eagles average 13.4 shots per game they average less than a goal a game.
- Eagles goalkeeper Fynn Koemer has not been challenged much to start the season, only making 13 saves and facing 24 shots on goal through the first seven games. He has a .571 save percentage and recorded two shutouts.
- OC's top goal scorer has been Ellis Jones who has found the back of the net three times in 2023.
- Jacob Carter, John Ighede Osadolor, and Isais Silva scored the other three Eagle goals.
- Elliott Forestier has not scored in 2023 but has recorded four assists.
- The Eagles are coached by Mitchell Sowerby who is in his third season.
- OC finished 5th in the LSC in 2022 after an 11-5-5 (3-3-3) season. They fell in the third round of the LSC Tournament.
- In the Preseason poll they were picked 5th, one spot ahead of LCU. Elliott Forestier, Daniel Hosier, and Isais Silva were named Players to Watch.
A WIN WOULD
- Give the Chaps their fifth win of the season.
- Give LCU their 114th win in program history.
