LAKELAND, Fla. -- SEU Women's Soccer hits the road this week for its toughest early-season stretch, taking on back-to-back nationally ranked opponents in Georgia. The Fire open the trip in Cleveland against No. 21 Truett McConnell on Wednesday, September 3, at 7 p.m. before heading to Lawrenceville to face No. 22 Georgia Gwinnett on Friday, September 5, at 11 a.m. These contests will be Southeastern's first regular-season matchups against ranked opponents since October of last year and provide an early measuring stick against two top-tier NAIA programs.
Stay Connected
Fans can stay plugged in as SEU takes on two top-25 foes. The matchup against Truett McConnell will stream live on the Team1Sports app and online at
team1sports.com/tmubears. The showdown at Georgia Gwinnett will be broadcast via the GGC Athletics YouTube channel at
youtube.com/@GGC_Athletics. Live stats for both matches are available at
fire.seu.edu/coverage ensuring Fire fans won't miss a moment of the action.
Fire Off to a Blazing Start
The Fire enter the week at 2-0-0 overall after an explosive start to the 2025 campaign. They opened the season with a commanding 7-0 victory over Thomas before earning a 4-2 road win at Webber International. SEU has outscored opponents 11-2 and averaged 5.5 goals per game, making it one of the most potent offenses in the early NAIA season.
SEU Among Sun Leaders
Southeastern's hot start has already placed the Fire near the top of several Sun Conference statistical categories. SEU is tied for the Conference lead with Keiser in goals per game at 5.50. They sit second in total points per game at 14.5, just behind Keiser's 17.5. The Fire are also second in assists per contest at 3.5, trailing only Keiser (6.5).
Defensively, SEU holds a 1.00 goals-against average, which ranks fifth in the Sun Conference, while the team's .667 save percentage also lands among the league's top five. Paired with the Fire's 21.5 shots per game, which rank second only to Keiser (24.5), SEU has established itself as one of the Sun's most balanced programs through two matches.
Historical Context Favors the Fire
The Fire's trip to Georgia comes with favorable history on their side. Southeastern boasts a 36-10-1 all-time record in the state of Georgia, including a 1-0 mark in Lawrenceville and a 1-1 record in Cleveland. Historically, SEU has thrived in early September, holding a 102-42-3 all-time mark in the month, with a strong .766 winning percentage in September road games.
This week's opener at Truett McConnell falls on September 3, a date where the Fire are 3-2 all-time, while the September 5 matchup against Georgia Gwinnett features even better historical odds, with Southeastern undefeated at 5-0 on that date.
Day-of-week splits are equally favorable. The Fire have gone 42-13-2 all-time on Wednesdays, including a 24-10-1 mark on the road, while Friday fixtures have produced a 36-22-6 overall record.
Irurozki Ignites the Attack
Forward
Sara Irurozki has been electric to start the season, leading the Fire with five goals through the first two matches. She currently sits first in the Sun Conference in total goals and has averaged 2.5 goals per game, converting six of her seven shots on frame for an .857 shots-on-goal rate. Her 11 total points lead the Sun Conference and also place her among the NAIA's national leaders, ranking 5th in total goals and 7th in total points.
Irurozki's breakout has already earned her significant recognition, as she has claimed back-to-back Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week awards to open the 2025 season. Her hat trick in the 4-2 win at Webber International marked Southeastern's first three-goal performance since
Katie Carnes accomplished the feat against Florida Memorial on October 25, 2023.
Laface Among Sun's Best Playmakers
Sophomore midfielder
Rebecca Laface has emerged as one of the most creative players in the conference. Her two assists are tied for fourth in the Sun Conference, while her two goals give her six total points, placing her third among all Sun players behind only Irurozki and Keiser's Blanca Bachi. Laface recorded a pair of helpers in SEU's season-opening win over Thomas and continues to generate dangerous chances in the attacking third.
Lozano and Company Fill It Up
Southeastern's offense has been relentless, attempting 43 total shots across its first two matches for an average of 21.5 per contest, a mark that ranks second in the Sun Conference behind only Keiser. Lozano leads the team with eight shot attempts, while Irurozki and Laface have each taken seven, converting on five and two goals respectively. The Fire's attacking depth has allowed them to sustain pressure from opening kickoff to the final whistle.
Stonewalling the Net
In goal,
Sofia Diaz has quietly placed herself among the Sun Conference's statistical leaders. Through two matches, Diaz has posted a 0.97 goals-against average, which ranks fifth in the league, while her three total saves contribute to a team save percentage of .667. Alongside backup
Madison Songer, Diaz has anchored a defense that has allowed only 14 total shots through two games, keeping SEU steady behind its high-powered offense.
Scouting #21 Truett McConnell
The Bears enter Wednesday's contest with a perfect 2-0 record, having already secured a 1-0 win at Georgia Gwinnett and a 4-1 victory at Faulkner. Truett McConnell has averaged 2.5 goals per game while holding opponents to just 0.5 goals per contest behind goalkeeper Danica Wittmann, who boasts a 0.50 GAA and a .900 save percentage. Offensively, Annabel Trauschke leads the Bears with two goals and an assist, while Joanna Funes and Isabella Hodson have chipped in one goal apiece.
Southeastern leads the all-time series 3-1-1, though last year's matchup ended in a 1-1 draw in Lakeland. The Fire have scored 16 goals in five all-time meetings while allowing just five. Wednesday's matchup will mark the Fire's third trip to Cleveland, where they are 2-1 historically.
Scouting #22 Georgia Gwinnett
Georgia Gwinnett enters Friday's clash at 2-1-0, picking up road wins at Montreat (4-0) and SCAD Savannah (3-1) sandwiched around a 1-0 home loss to Truett McConnell. The Grizzlies average 2.33 goals per game and are led by forward Natalie Maguire, who has scored twice, and playmaker Nova Eskelinen, who has three assists through three matches. Goalkeeper Elle Sarter has been solid in net, allowing just two goals while posting a .889 save percentage.
Southeastern holds a 4-0 advantage in the all-time series and has yet to allow a goal in four meetings. The Fire have scored 10 goals across those matchups, including a 4-0 victory the last time the teams met in the 2022 NAIA Opening Round.
Looking Ahead
Following this week's top-25 road battles, Southeastern continues its early-season stretch away from home. The Fire travel to Temple Terrace, Fla., to face Florida College on Thursday, September 11, at 7 p.m. before heading to Sarasota for a matchup with New College of Florida on Saturday, September 13, at 7 p.m.
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