The William Woods University men's soccer team travels to American Midwest Conference newcomer Lyon College on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Matchup
Saturday's game is crucial for William Woods ahead of the upcoming AMC Tournament. WWU comes into the game in fourth place in the AMC at 3-2-1 and 9-6-1 overall. Lyon College stands a game and a half above the Owls in third place at 5-1-1 in the league and is 10-2-2 on the season. Saturday is the final AMC regular season game for Lyon.
Last Time Out
Tuesday's game against Park University was delayed due to weather conditions. The game will be made up on Monday Oct. 29 at 7 p.m.
Crucial Game
A win on Saturday would guarantee the Owls hosting rights in the quarterfinals of the AMC Tournament.
The top six teams make the AMC Tournament with the higher seed hosting each match. Currently, the Owls are in fourth place with a half-game lead over Park University.
Even Flow
Last Saturday was the first tie on the year for William Woods. It was the first 0-0 tie for WWU since Oct. 15, 2011 at Harris-Stowe. Also, it was the first tie at Firley Field since Oct. 3, 2009, when the Owls tied Mount Mercy College 2-2.
AMC Winning Season
With a win on Saturday, William Woods would secure its first winning season in AMC play since 2009. The Owls currently stand at 3-2-1 with two conference games left. It would be the third time in head coach
Nathan Mason's five years that his team finished at .500 or above in the AMC. (2009, 2011) It would also be the third time in program history a team finishes above .500 in the AMC. The two previous times came in 2001 and 2009.
National Rankings
The Owls rank in the top 20 in the NAIA in four different categories: sixth in shots/game (21.81), eighth in shots on goal/game (10.44), 18th in total assists (36) and 19th in assists/game (2.25).
Conference Rankings
William Woods leads the AMC in shots/game with 21.81, is second in shots on goal/game with 10.44 and is third in four categories: goals/game (2.81), total goals (45), assists/game (2.25) and total assists (36).
Sophomore
Luca Stroeter is in a three-way tie for third place in total assists (7) with Dawit Gebremariam (Park) and Agustin Concha (Hannibal-LaGrange). He also ranks fifth in assists/game at 0.44.
Junior
Marcelo Carreiro ranks fifth in total points with 22 and sixth in total goals with six.
A Look At Lyon College
The Scots have experienced some success in their first season in the AMC. Lyon is currently in third place in the conference at 5-1-1 and are 10-2-2 overall on the season. They are the only team who has not lost to no. 7 Columbia College, playing the Cougars to a 1-1 tie at home on Sept. 29.
Lyon is currently on a three-game winning streak. The Scots have outscored their opponents 10-0 during that stretch.
The Scots feature a stingy defense that ranks fifth in the NAIA in total shutouts with seven. Lyon has shut out its last three opponents (Benedictine University at Springfield 2-0, Williams Baptist 5-0 and Harris-Stowe 3-0). Goalkeeper Anthony Wakeford ranks 11th in the NAIA in goals against average at 0.79.
Lyon is led offensively by Edin Campara. His 10 goals on the season puts him second in the AMC in total goals. Jack Hayes and Lance Alpuerto pace the Scots in assists with four apiece.
Previous Matchup
This will be the first meeting between the two schools.
