LUBBOCK, Texas - The Lubbock Christian University men's soccer team travels to the Sooner State for their first road test of the season as they battle Northeastern State on Thursday night.
Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at DeLoache Field in Tahlequah, Oklahoma and will be streamed live on the
MIAA Network.
Notes:
- Last week, the Chaps opened the 2024 season with a pair of home games. LCU dropped the season opener 5-0 to #21 Fort Lewis on Thursday (Sept. 5) but bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Adams State on Saturday (Sept. 7).
- Last season's leading goal scorer, Saimon Gjeci and Kansas City C.C. transfer Geoffroy Letienne scored in Saturday's 2-0 win.
- Connor Pettigrew started both matches in goal over the weekend, tallying 13 total saves and securing his second career shutout. The Frisco, Texas native is leading the Lone Star Conference in saves and saves per game.
- Lubbock Christian is coming off a 6-4-7 season in 2023, the most draws in a season in LCU program history. The Chaps return two of their top four point scorers from last season, including leading goal scorer Gjeci (six goals).
- The Chaps were picked to finish sixth in the Lone Star Conference preseason poll.
- Thursday will be the first meeting ever between the Chaps and Northeastern State.
Scouting Northeastern State:
- Northeastern State enters Thursday's match with a 0-2-0 record after falling 1-0 on the road against Missouri S&T (Sept. 5) and dropping their home opener 2-1 to Drury (Sept. 9).
- The RiverHawks were picked to finish fourth in the GAC preseason poll after leading the conference in shutouts and goals-against average in 2023.
- Northeastern State finished the 2023 season with an 8-6-4 record but fell in the opening round of the GAC Tournament to Southern Nazarene.
- All-GAC Honorable Mentions, Donovan Aparicio and Marcovich are the key returners for the RiverHawks.
- Carl Murch has scored the lone goal of the season for Northeastern, finding the back of the net in the 67th minute against Drury.
- Goalkeeper Gonzalo Castells has started both games in net for the RiverHawks. He has recorded six saves on 17 shots faced.
- The RiverHawks are coached by Rob Czlonka who enters his 14th season at the helm. He owns a 139-76-21 overall record at Northeastern.
A Win Would:
- Move LCU's record to 2-1-0 on the season.
- Be the 15th win of the Coach Cone era.
- Give the Chaps their 116th win in program history.
