LAKELAND, Fla. – The No. 5 Southeastern University women's soccer team is fresh off a successful trip to the Midwest. The Fire notched a pair of NAIA Top 25 wins, knocking off No. 24 John Brown University 3-1 before edging No. 13 Oklahoma Wesleyan 4-3. Three of the five SEU wins this season have come against ranked opponents. The Fire look to push their ranked-win total to four this weekend, as they travel to Lebanon, Tennessee to take on the No. 15 Cumberland University Phoenix.
MATCH:
No. 15 Cumberland (3-0) vs. No. 5 Southeastern (5-0) Saturday 12:00 p.m.
COVERAGE:
WATCH/LIVE STATS (Fees Apply)
FIRE FOCUS:
- For the second consecutive week, junior forward Uchenna Kanu was named Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
- Kanu registered her third consecutive hat trick of the season versus No. 24 John Brown, netting all three of the SEU goals. The Abia, Nigeria native leads the NAIA with 15 goals scored in five contests and is averaging a score per 25.2 minutes of play thus far in 2018.
- Redshirt-freshman forward Summer Rusher earned the starting nod versus No. 13 Oklahoma Wesleyan, netting a goal in the 2nd minute, as well as registering an assist. The Ludgershall, England native has scored four goals and recorded two assists in games where she starts.
- True freshman goalkeeper Holly Eddins has recorded 14 saves and posted a .933 save percentage in 267 minutes played in goal for the Fire this season.
- SEU leads the NAIA in goals scored (31) and assists (28). Six different players have found the back of the net for Southeastern and 12 different players have posted helpers.
- The Fire came in at No. 5 in the latest NAIA Coaches' Top 25 poll, the highest ranking in program history.
BLAZING TRAILS:
- SEU is 15-2-1 on the road in the Randy Belli era.
- Six of those 15 wins have been shutouts.
- SEU has outscored opponents 68-20 on the road during that stretch.
- The Fire are 9-3-1 versus NAIA ranked or receiving votes opponents all-time under Belli.
THE PHOENIX:
- The 2017 Mid-South Conference Runners-Up are looking to make it back to Orange Beach after missing the NAIA National Tournament last season.
- The Phoenix are off to a 3-0 start, with all three results coming as shutouts.
- Cumberland has outscored opponents 16-0, including a 10-0 victory over RV Bryan at home most recently.
- The Phoenix also took down No. 15 Tennessee Wesleyan 4-0 at home earlier this season.
- CU is outshooting opponents 7-1.8 on frame per match this season.
- Senior midfielder Rebecca Holloway has scored in every match for the Phoenix. The Bristol, England native has totaled a team leading six goals.
- Senior goalkeeper Ashley Kambeitz has yet to surrender a score this season, recording nine saves. In 61 career games played, Kambeitz has posted 25 shutouts.
TALE OF THE TAPE:
SEU
Goals per Game: 6.1
Shots per Game: 19.8
Shots on Goal per Game: 11.2
Shutouts: 3
Individual Goals Leader:
Uchenna Kanu (15)
Individual Assists Leader:
Uchenna Kanu (5)
Individual Saves Leader:
Holly Eddins (14)
CU
Goals per Game: 5.3
Shots per Game: 22.7
Shots on Goal per Game: 11.7
Shutouts: 3
Individual Goals Leader: Rebecca Holloway (6)
Individual Assists Leader: Mariah Aplin (5)
Individual Saves Leader: Ashley Kambeitz (9)
BELLI'S BRAIN:
"Another long tough road trip against an undefeated, top 25 opponent means that it will be a tough match to get a result. We will need to keep the ball in order to limit their opportunities and concentrate on playing out of their pressure. This team is embracing these challenges and looking forward to the test." – Head Coach
Randy Belli.
Be sure to follow @SEUFireWSoccer on Twitter for all of the latest updates on Fire soccer.
