LAKELAND, Fla. -- SEU Women's Soccer turns its attention to league play this week as the Fire open the Sun Conference portion of their schedule. The first two conference matches come in quick succession, beginning on Wednesday, October 1, when SEU hosts Ave Maria at 7 p.m. at the SEU Soccer Field. The Fire will look to make a strong statement at home in their Sun opener while continuing to build on early-season progress.
Just three days later, Southeastern heads south to Miami Gardens for a Saturday evening clash with Florida Memorial. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. against the Lions, giving the Fire their first Sun Conference road test of the campaign. These matchups mark the start of a critical stretch for SEU, as results in October will shape the Fire's positioning in the league table.
How to Follow the Fire
Both matches will be streamed live through the Urban Edge Network, available on smart TVs and mobile devices through the UEN App, as well as online at
fire.seu.edu/watchUEN. Live statistics will also be provided for each contest at
fire.seu.edu/sidearmstats/wsoc/summary.
Snapshot of the Season
The Fire enter their conference slate with a 5-1-2 overall record (.750), highlighted by an unbeaten road mark of 4-0-2. At the SEU Soccer Field, the Fire are 1-1 through two matches, looking to push that mark above .500 on Wednesday night.
Offensively, Southeastern has scored 19 goals on 137 shots, averaging 2.38 goals per game with a .139 shooting percentage. Nearly 56 percent of those attempts have been on frame (77 on goal), while the team has generated 37 corner kicks and scored first in five contests. Defensively, SEU has conceded just eight goals through eight matches, carrying a 1.00 goals-against average into league play.
Among the Sun's Best
Southeastern stacks up well against Sun Conference peers statistically. The Fire rank third in the league in both goals per game (2.38) and points per game (6.13), while sitting second in assists (1.38 per match). SEU also attempts the third-most shots per game at 17.1.
On the defensive side, the Fire's 1.00 goals-against average places them in the upper tier of the conference, trailing only Keiser (0.50) and Florida Memorial (0.60). That defensive mark has been achieved through a collective back-line effort and reliable performances in goal.
Star of the Attack: Sara Irurozki
The Fire's leading scorer has been at the heart of Southeastern's attack, netting six goals with two assists for 14 total points. Her finishing ability has placed her among the Sun Conference's elite, ranking tied for fourth in goals and top five in points across the league.
Irurozki's consistency has also been recognized with Sun Conference Offensive Player of the Week honors twice, on August 25 and September 1, after powering SEU's early-season run. With two game-winners and a 37.5% shot conversion rate, she has proven to be one of Southeastern's most reliable offensive threats and a focal point for opposing defenses.
Two-Way Force: Grace Banker
Banker has contributed four goals this season, including two decisive game-winners, while also anchoring the Fire with her defensive presence. Her impact on both ends of the field has made her one of SEU's most valuable players.
For her efforts, Banker was named Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week on September 15. With a .400 shooting percentage and a knack for scoring in clutch moments, she continues to provide Southeastern with both stability at the back and timely firepower in the final third.
Relentless Shooter: Ariadna Lozano
Lozano sits third on the team in scoring with three goals while leading the Fire in total shot attempts (22). Her ability to generate opportunities and test opposing defenses makes her a constant presence in the attack.
Though she hasn't found the same volume of goals as Irurozki or Banker, Lozano's consistency in creating chances has made her a key piece of the Fire's offensive rhythm, forcing opponents to account for her every time she steps into the attacking third.
Midfield Connector: Rebecca Laface
A balanced contributor in both playmaking and scoring, Laface has registered two goals and two assists to date. Her ability to distribute and finish keeps defenses honest, and she has been one of the most reliable creators in the Fire lineup.
Laface's steady production helps diversify SEU's attack, giving the Fire midfield-to-forward connectivity that prevents teams from focusing solely on Southeastern's top scorers.
Last Line of Defense: Sofia Diaz
In net, Diaz has been a steady anchor for Southeastern, appearing in seven matches with a 3-0-1 record. She holds a 1.10 goals-against average, the fifth-best mark in the Sun Conference, along with a .750 save percentage and two shutouts.
Diaz's strong start was recognized early in the season when she was named Sun Conference Defensive Player of the Week (September 8), followed by the prestigious NAIA Defensive Player of the Week honor (September 9). Her ability to come up with timely saves has kept the Fire competitive in every match, and she continues to be one of the top goalkeepers in the conference.
Depth Impact: Olivia Hadad
Hadad has provided steady secondary scoring for the Fire, registering two goals and one assist across eight matches. She has also been one of SEU's more efficient attackers, with 10 of her 17 shots landing on frame (58.8%).
Her combination of work rate and finishing ability has added balance to the Fire lineup, ensuring that defenses cannot overcommit to stopping SEU's top scorers without risking damage from Hadad's contributions.
Rising Presence: Madelyn Davidson
Davidson has made her mark with two goals and one assist while starting every match so far this season. She has generated 13 shots, placing nearly half of them on goal, and provided a steady presence in the attack.
Her ability to complement Southeastern's primary scoring options has been critical, as Davidson continues to emerge as a reliable piece of the Fire's offensive puzzle.
Program Pride
Southeastern women's soccer has compiled an all-time record of 279-133-21 (.669), including a .711 mark at home and .656 on the road. Within Sun Conference play, the Fire are 99-47-7 all-time (.670), showing nearly identical success both at home (49-22-4) and away (50-25-3).
October has historically been strong for SEU, with a .647 winning percentage (108-57-9), including 58-24-4 at home. The Fire are also 3-1 all-time in matches played on October 1 and 3-5 in games on October 4, the same dates as this week's contests.
Series Spotlight – Ave Maria
Southeastern holds a commanding 23-2-0 all-time record against Ave Maria, outscoring the Gyrenes 113–12. SEU is 9-1 at home in the series and took the most recent matchup, a 3-1 road win on September 20, 2025.
Ave Maria enters this week at 4-4-1, with an attack that ranks second in the Sun Conference at 2.89 goals per game. The Gyrenes are led by Claire Wrobleski, who shares the conference lead with seven goals, while Cate Cox leads the team with 29 shots.
Series Spotlight – Florida Memorial
The Fire also control the series against Florida Memorial, owning a 16-1-0 all-time record and riding a 12-match winning streak. SEU has never lost to the Lions at home (11-0-0) and outscored FMU 56–2 over the last 10 meetings.
This season, Florida Memorial is 2-1-3 overall and has leaned heavily on its defense. Goalkeeper Isabella Rueda ranks second in the Sun with a 0.60 goals-against average and leads the league with an .857 save percentage. Offensively, Julia Duarte has paced the Lions with two goals, while Jada Samuels has added a goal and an assist.
Looking Ahead
After this week's openers, Southeastern continues Sun Conference play with a midweek trip to SCAD-Savannah on Wednesday, October 8, at 7 p.m., before returning home for an 11 a.m. match against Webber International on Saturday, October 11. Both contests will add to a critical early stretch of conference action for the Fire.
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