Hear From Coach Mason


FULTON, Mo. – The William Woods University men's soccer team takes the field this Saturday as they take on No. 5 Missouri Valley. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
The Owls and Vikings contest has been moved to Battle High School in Columbia, Mo. For more information, click here.
 
The Owls enter the contest coming off a 1-0-1 road trip to Chicago. WWU has not dropped a game since Aug. 24. After the loss on the 24th, the Owls are 3-0-1 on the season.
 
About the Vikings
Last season Missouri Valley advanced to the 2017 NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship where they suffered a 1-0 double overtime championship loss to Wayland Baptist University.  They finished their 2017 campaign 9-2-1.
 
This year, the Vikings start their season 2-1.  In their second game of the season they defeated then-No. 7 Columbia College 2-1 on August 30th.  Their only loss came against Southwestern Christian University where they were defeated 3-1.
 
The Vikings lose Uros lllic who was named Defensive Player of the Year last season but return Dominic Newton and James McLaren who were both named First Team All-Conference. They also bring back Pedro Garcia who was named Third Team All-Conference.
 
Xavier Gladiador and Sergio Toro Garcia both currently rank 30th overall in NAIA men's Division I soccer for total game winning goals with one apiece. Missouri Valley Currently ranks 44th overall in shots per game (8).
 
Last time Against Missouri Valley
The last meeting between the two clubs took place November 2, 2014 where the Vikings defeated the Owls 2-1.  Missouri Valley outshot WWU 26-11. Sebastian Burich scored the only goal for William Woods in the Contest.
 
All-Time vs. the Vikings
William Woods and Missouri Valley met for the first time on September 12, 2002. The Vikings walked away with a victory defeating WWU 3-1. Missouri Valley currently hold a 10-2-0 series lead over the Owls.
The last time WWU defeated the Vikings was on September 17, 2010 when they won 1-0.
 
The Owls
William Woods enters the contest coming of a 2-1 victory over Robert Morris University (Ill.) and a 0-0 double overtime draw against Judson University.
 
The Owls currently rank number third overall in NAIA for in shutouts (3). They also hold the 22nd spot for shutouts per game (.5) and the 35th spot in total saves (21).
 
Darren Wilson currently leads the Owls with three goals on the season. He also ranks third in the nation with two game winning goals on the season. Billy Nzjyibwami currently ranks 30th in the nation for total game winning goals (1). Ben Faherty is leading the Owls with 15 saves this season.
 
Goal Scorers this Season
David Marshall, Darren Wilson, Billy Nzojybwami, Jon Buerge and Spencer Hiles have all recorded goals for William Woods this season. Wilson and Nzojybwami come into the match against the Vikings as the only Owls with multiple goals scored on the season
 
Outshooting its Opponents
On the season, the Owls are outshooting its opponents, 78-54, and 40-28 in shots on goal. Leading the Owls in shots is Wessel Albers, who has 16 shots. Darren Wilson follows with 12. The Owls hold a six shot advantage in the first half, and 17 shot advantage in the second half.
 
AMC Play Starts Tuesday
On Tuesday, September 11th, the Owls men's soccer team opens American Midwest Conference play against Missouri Baptist University at Firley Field. This will be the first of 11 AMC games, five of which will be held at Firley Field.
 
What's Next
What's next for the Owls is AMC play as they open play Tuesday, September 11th against Missouri Baptist. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.