MARSHALL, TX- After some hard fought battles on the field to open up American Southwest Conference play, the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer team will take their talents on the road this week to West Texas. The men's squad is looking to tab their first ASC win of the season as they visit the McMurry War Hawks on Thursday and closeout the week against Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday. The Tigers currently are sitting at 2-3-1 overall and 0-2 in ASC play.

In the previous games against the War Hawks the men's squad are an impressive 10-0. The last match took overtime but ETBU came out on top 2-1 in Abilene, Texas. The Tigers have averaged 3.9 goals per game against McMurry and have only surrendered a total of three goals in the first 10 meetings. The War Hawks are 3-2 overall with their last game ending in a 2-1 loss to Texas College on Sept. 16.

ETBU will close out the week with a meeting against Hardin-Simmons on Saturday, Sept. 23. The Cowboys have only played two matches this season, sitting at 1-1 overall. HSU has boasted the upper hand against the Tigers over the last 16 matchups at 13-3. ETBU will hope to turn the tide in Saturday's contest, with their last victory against the Cowboys coming in 2014 at 1-0.

Leading the way for the Tigers is senior Jordan Burke, who has played and started in all six of the team's games. Burke has recorded one goal, including a .500 shot on goal percentage. The senior has also played a total of 550 minutes this season.

Daniel Rutter has also played and started in all six matches for the Tigers. He is responsible for one goal on the season and is among the leaders on the team in shot attempts at seven total for the year. The junior has played 518 minutes thus far.

Leading the defensive effort for the Tigers is goalkeeper Bryant Botello. The junior has 22 saves on the season and boasts a save percentage of .733.

Heading into this week's road trip, head coach Chris Crawford spoke about what his team needs to do to come away with a successful campaign:

"This week I expect our guys to get dialed in and refocused. We've got to raise our level and do it for 90 minutes. I'm excited about the growth we've had this week, and I'm excited about what we are doing in practice this week as we prepare for the next upcoming games." 
ETBU kicks off the road trip on Thursday in Abilene at McMurry. Live video and stats will be provided by McMurry.