MARSHALL, Texas – Entertaining two matches this week at Cornish Field, the East Texas Baptist University men's soccer team will take on the University of the Ozarks and the University of Texas Tyler. ETBU will look to stay in the ASC Tournament hunt, entering this week's matches with an overall record of 5-5-1 and an ASC record of 2-3-1.
Statistically,
Daniel Rutter and
Silas Sangano lead the offensive effort for the Tigers. Both Rutter and Sangano have tallied three goals for six points on the year thus far. Sangano also leads the team in shot attempts, with 20 total and 13 coming right on goal. Rutter sits at second in shot attempts, at 17 and five coming at the net.
Juan Cairo has collected 15 shots to take the third place spot on the team. Cairo has also registered two goals this season for four points overall.
Rafael Mijares,
Travis Floyd and
Brett Rose are all tied with one goal each. On the defensive end,
Bryant Botello mans the effort at the net. Botello has collected 45 saves and an overall record of 4-3-1.
Entering Thursday night's contest, Ozarks has won their last two matches in impressive fashion. UO took home the 7-0 victory over Ecclesia on Tuesday, Oct. 2, and a 2-1 win over Sul Ross State on Thursday, Oct. 4. Overall, UO is 4-7-1 and 3-4 in ASC contests. In the season series, ETBU owns the edge with a record of 18-5-2 through the first 25 matches. The Eagles have taken three of the last four meetings against the Tigers.
Texas Tyler comes into the Saturday evening's match with an overall record of 9-1-1. The Patriots last defeated SRSU 1-0 on Oct. 4. Prior to last Thursday's win, UTT defeated Hardin-Simmons University 3-2 on Saturday, Sept. 29. In the overall season series, the Patriots own the edge with a 10-6-1 record in the first 17 meetings. ETBU last defeated UTT, 2-1, in Marshall, Texas in 2016.
With a road-heavy schedule this season, ETBU has battled through a number of shifts in momentum. Head Coach
Chris Crawford said that, while it's great for the team to return home for two matches, they have to continue to learn from setbacks and grow as a unit.
"This week it's about us overcoming our mistakes. It's about learning, growing and staying dialed in for 90 minutes and taking care of business. We know both of these teams will come in ready to play. We're playing on our home field and our home crowd, so we'll use that to our advantage," Crawford said.
ETBU will face UO on Thursday, Oct. 11 at 7:30 p.m. and UTT on Saturday also at 7:30 p.m.
