NEW ORLEANS – Multiple Sun Belt men’s soccer teams control their own fate heading into the final two matches of the regular season.
WILDCATS CONTROL THEIR FATE
After a 1-0 victory over West Virginia, Kentucky stands alone at the top of the Sun Belt standings with 18 points (6-1). With two games left in the season the Wildcats control their fate and look to secure a host seed for the Sun Belt Tournament, the second time they would host since joining the league. They are being chased by Marshall who has 16 points and West Virginia who has 15 points.
HALLOWEEN SHOWDOWN
Two of the league’s biggest rivals face off on Halloween night as No. 11 Marshall heads to No. 19 West Virginia. The two last met in the Sun Belt Tournament Championship last season in a match that ended with West Virginia winning in PK’s (6-5). West Virginia is 6-1-1 at home this season while Marshall is 1-1-4 on the road, giving the Mountaineers a clear home field advantage. Statistically the two teams are identical with Marshall having played 14 games scoring 30 goals and allowing 13, while West Virginia has played 15 games with 30 goals for and 14 against.
MAKING A PUSH
With only eight of the leagues 10 teams making it into the league tournament, teams at the bottom of the standings are looking to make a final push to make the cut. Old Dominion (6 pts), South Carolina (5 pts) and Coastal Carolina (6 pts) sit along the cut line. South Carolina has lost three straight while Old Dominion is coming off a 0-0 draw with No. 11 Marshall. Coastal Carolina looks to be getting hot at the right time as they ride a two-game win streak into their matchup with UCF on Friday. Of the three teams only Coastal Carolina missed out on the conference tournament last season.
THE KNIGHTS ASSIST KING
UCF’s Clarence Awoudor is the nation’s leader in assists with 13. The forward has appeared in all 14 of the teams games this season (.929 apg). Awoudor also has three goals bringing his point total to 19, good for fourth in the league. He leads a Knights offense that is tied for third in the league in scoring offense (1.929 gpg) and fourth in total goals (27).
THREE IN THE TOP 25
Three Sun Belt men’s soccer teams are ranked in the United Soccer Coaches Poll. Marshall (8-1-5, 5-1-1) comes in at No. 11 with No. 18 Kentucky (9-2-3, 6-1) and No. 19 West Virginia (10-3-2, 5-2).
SBC IN THE RPI
Six Sun Belt teams rank within the top 100 of the RPI. Marshall has the best in the league at 21, followed by West Virginia (23), Kentucky (26), Georgia Southern (32), UCF (66), South Carolina (94).
INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS
POINTS: Marcus Caldeira & Pablo Pozos, WVU, 21
GOALS: Pablo Pozoz, WVU, 10
ASSISTS: Clarence Awoudor, UCF, 13
SHOTS: Ethan Ballek, SC, 48
SHOTS ON GOAL: Marcus Caldeira, WVU, 22
SAVES: Loan Marin, GSU, 59
SAVE PERCENTAGE: Nate Martinez, GS, . 796
GOALS AGAINST AVG: Nate Martinez, GS, .733
TEAM STAT LEADERS
POINTS: West Virginia, 94
GOALS: West Virginia & Marshall, 30
ASSISTS: West Virginia, 34
SHOTS: West Virginia, 213
SHOTS ON GOAL: West Virginia, 104
SAVES: James Madison, 63
SAVE PERCENTAGE: Georgia Southern, .796
GOALS AGAINST AVG: Georgia Southern, .733
WHERE TO WATCH
| Date |
Time |
Matchup |
Broadcast |
| Friday, Oct. 31 |
6:00 p.m. |
Georgia State at Kentucky |
ESPN+ |
| Friday, Oct. 31 |
6:00 p.m. |
Marshall at West Virginia |
ESPN+ |
| Friday, Oct. 31 |
6:00 p.m. |
Old Dominion at James Madison |
ESPN+ |
| Friday, Oct. 31 |
6:00 p.m. |
South Carolina at Georgia Southern |
ESPN+ |
| Friday, Oct. 31 |
6:00 p.m. |
Coastal Carolina at UCF |
ESPN+ |