LAKELAND, Fla. -- SEU Men's Soccer (2-3-2) begins Sun Conference play this week with a road-and-home split as the Fire look to find their stride in pursuit of a second conference tournament championship. SEU opens on Wednesday with a 7 p.m. match at Ave Maria before returning to Lakeland on Saturday with a net time of 12:30 p.m. kickoff against Florida Memorial at the SEU Soccer Field.
The Fire enter conference action unbeaten in their most recent outing, a 0–0 draw with No. 22 Georgia Gwinnett, and ride a one-match unbeaten streak into the week. SEU has shown more success away from home (2-1-1) compared to Lakeland (0-2-1), where they are still searching for their first win of the season. Conference play offers a fresh slate as Southeastern begins league competition with an 0-0 record.
Fans can follow Wednesday's road match via live stream and live stats, while Saturday's home match will feature live coverage and ticketing information available at
fire.seu.edu.
By the Numbers
Despite recent results, Southeastern still ranks among the Sun Conference leaders statistically, averaging 2.00 goals per game to sit fifth in the league behind New College (5.14), Keiser (3.86), Ave Maria (3.22), and St. Thomas (2.33). The Fire are also fourth in assists per game (1.71), fifth in points per game (5.71), and fourth in shots per game (12.86).Â
Defensively, SEU ranks third in goals against average (1.29) and third in save percentage (.735), trailing only New College (.810) and Keiser (.800). Overall, the Fire have taken 90 shots, scored 14 goals, and collected 27 saves through seven matches.
Jman Dieng – Clinical Finisher
Dieng leads the Fire in scoring with four goals on eight total shots for a .500 shooting percentage. Six of his attempts have been on frame (.750 SOG%), and he has added two assists to give him a team-high 10 points. He also owns one game-winning goal, and while just outside the top five in the Sun Conference in goals, his efficiency ranks among the best in the league.
Fabio De Paula – All-Around Threat
De Paula has appeared in all seven matches, scoring three times and recording one assist for seven total points. He leads SEU in shot volume with 15 attempts, converting at a .200 rate, and has put nine of those on target (.600 SOG%). His consistency has kept him in the mix for the Fire's attack, complementing Dieng as a secondary scoring option.
Guilherme Viserta – Creative Engine
Viserta tops the Sun Conference in assists with six, ranking first ahead of Ave Maria's Mateo Rolon and New College's Matthew Dynarski (5 each). He is also tied for fourth in the league in total shots with 25, showing his dual role as both a creator and a trigger man. Despite not finding the net yet, his ability to generate opportunities has been vital, factoring into nearly half of Southeastern's scoring.
Adam Cooil – Defensive Anchor
Cooil has logged 513 minutes across seven starts, the most on the team, and was named Sun Conference Defender of the Week on August 25. He has also made his lone offensive chance count, scoring on his only shot. His presence provides both leadership and reliability on the Fire's back line.
Noah Murray-Hawkins – Steady Presence
Murray-Hawkins has emerged as one of the Sun Conference's top goalkeepers statistically, ranking third in the league in save percentage (.769) and third in goals-against average (0.50). In six appearances and 360 minutes, he has allowed just three goals while making 10 saves, earning one solo shutout and contributing to another.
Emmanuel Uwazie – Tested Under Fire
Uwazie has split time in goal, playing 270 minutes across five matches. He has made 15 saves for a .714 save percentage, helping secure two combined shutouts. While not currently among the league's top five in statistical categories, Uwazie's contributions have given Southeastern depth at a critical position and stability when called upon.
Scouting the Gyrenes
Ave Maria enters the week 5–3–2 overall and has built one of the league's most explosive attacks, averaging 3.30 goals per game. The Gyrenes are powered by forwards Mateo Rolon and Sava Cadjenovic, who sit first and second in the Sun Conference in goals with nine and eight respectively, while Jael Parraga adds balance with five goals and five assists. Defensively, goalkeeper Andrija Vujakovic has logged 710 minutes with 49 saves.
In the all-time series, Southeastern has dominated, holding a 21–2 record since 2006. The Fire have won eight straight, including a 3–1 victory in 2024, and have gone 9–1 in the last 10 meetings. Overall, SEU has outscored Ave Maria 79–13 in the series, averaging 3.43 goals per match.
Scouting the Lions
Florida Memorial comes in at 2–4–2, searching for answers after a difficult stretch. The Lions average 1.25 goals per game and have conceded 22 across eight contests. Nasreddine Benbella leads the offense with four goals, while Mohamed Sadiki and Julian Restrepo have two each. Vicente Silva has provided three assists, and goalkeeper Ricardo Delgado Villalobos has been under pressure, making 43 saves in 630 minutes.
Southeastern leads the all-time series 9–7–1, with two straight wins including a 2–1 road result last fall. The Fire have gone 7–2–1 in the last 10 matchups, outscoring the Lions 38–27 overall. FMU's most recent victory came in 2023, a 2–1 result in Miami Gardens.
Looking Ahead
Following this week, Southeastern faces another split in Sun Conference play. The Fire return home on Thursday, Oct. 9, to host SCAD-Savannah in a 7 p.m. kickoff at the SEU Soccer Field, a rematch of last year's Sun Conference Tournament Championship final.
Two days later, Southeastern will be back on the road, traveling to Babson Park to face Webber International on Saturday, Oct. 11, at 3 p.m. The Fire will look to continue building momentum as conference play intensifies.
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