Lakeland, Fla. – The Southeastern men's soccer team is set to continue Sun Conference play as they travel to take on Warner University and host Webber International University this week. The Fire are coming off its most impressive team performance of the season, having shutout 4
th ranked Thomas University 2-0 last Saturday night. Led by captain
Kendall Crouse, the Fire defense stifled two of the top scorers in the conference in Jarrod Ingram and Severin Abt. The defensive effort led the way to SEU recording its first shutout of the season and handing the Night Hawks their first loss of the season. The win was the second in program history over an NAIA ranked opponent.
GAMES: Southeastern (4-7) vs. Warner (0-13) Wednesday 7 p.m. | Webber International (2-8-1) vs. Southeastern (4-7) Saturday 3 p.m.
COVERAGE: Warner:
Watch Stats Webber:
Watch Stats
SALGADO STRIKES: Junior forward
Tauan Salgado has been a pivotal part of the Fire offense all season. In games where Salgado finds the back of the net, SEU is 4-1. He is tied for the team lead in goals scored with five and leads the team in assists with three. In the win over Thomas, the Rio de Janeiro native played a key part in both Southeastern scores, netting the first goal of the game in the 60
th minute after beating the keeper on the far left side and later fed a nice pass to
Jonathan Jimenez which lead to the second score of the game. The score was Salgado's team leading second game winning goal of the season.
SECOND HALF SURGE: In the win over Thomas, the Fire added two more goals to its total of goals scored in the 46
th minute or later. 19 of the 22 (86.4%) Fire goals have been scored in the second half or overtime this season. In games won, SEU has outscored opponents 9-0 in the second half and extra periods.
PREVIOUS WARNER: Last season, the Fire defeated the Royals 6-0 in the regular season. Six different players netted a goal for SEU with five of those scores coming in the second half. The Royals lead the all-time series 9-5, however, the Fire have won four straight contests in the rivalry. During that stretch, SEU has outscored Warner 15-3. Senior
Gerritson Craane has three career goals versus the Royals.
PREVIOUS WEBBER: The Fire earned a gritty 1-0 shutout win over Webber International last season on the road.
Ashton Hicks netted the lone goal of the contest in the 15
th minute which was assisted by
Jonathan Jimenez. Jorge Navarette registered three saves in the shutout victory. The Warriors lead the all-time series 4-3-1. Neither team has ever won consecutive games in the series.
THE ROYALS: It has been a difficult journey for Warner this season. The Royals currently sit at 0-13 on the year and have been shut out in six of their last eight matches. They will be looking to earn their first program win since 10/24/15 versus Ave Maria. Warner has surrendered an average of 2.86 goals per contest in Sun Conference play this year. Sophomore goalkeeper Miguel Ardila has been busy for the Royals, having record the second most saves in the conference at 55. Warner is coached by former Southeastern coach Drew Stacey, who is in his third season with the program.
THE WARRIORS: After starting the season 2-2-1, Webber has lost six straight and has been outscored 11-3 during that stretch. Freshman forward Noel Francis has been the offensive standout for the Warriors. The London, England native has recorded four goals and an assist in 11 starts this season. Junior goalkeeper Randy Chesson leads the Sun Conference in saves with 63 and is 23
rd in the NAIA in saves per game, averaging 5.73. Webber is coached by Neil Cockburn, who is in his ninth season with the program.
