EVANSVILLE – The University of Evansville men's soccer team may be off to its best Missouri Valley Conference start in nearly 20 years, but the Purple Aces are set to take a brief break from league play on Wednesday as the team is set to welcome Marshall to Arad McCutchan Stadium.
UE vs. Marshall (Wednesday, 7 p.m.): Live Stats |
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The Aces, who improved to 5-3-1 overall after Saturday's win over Central Arkansas, have impressed at home this season, and the team will be hoping it can continue as it nears the midway mark of the current four-match homestand. In home matches so far this season, UE has battled to a draw with Portland and picked up victories over Fort Wayne and the aforementioned UCA while allowing just one goal from the run of play.
This defensive prowess has helped the Aces get off to one of the better starts they've experienced in recent years as goalkeeper Frederik Reimer and his defense have picked up four clean sheets in the opening nine matches of the season. Reimer, a freshman and a former player for Danish giant Aalborg BK, has been in net for all four shutouts, and he's had significant help from the centerback pairing of Chris Shuck and Trevor Baum as well as a number of fullbacks this season.
Meanwhile, the offense has been performing in nearly every contest as well. The Aces have found the back of the net at least once in all nine matches this season, with the veteran duo of Jared Robinson and Ian McGrath leading the way with four goals apiece. Robinson, one of just two seniors on the squad, has already scored more times this season than he had in the previous three, while McGrath has been a regular threat from midfield. The New Lenox, Ill., native has certainly made his four scores memorable, scoring three against Top 25 opponents in Utah Valley and Butler.
The scoring success of the duo has largely depended on impeccable service from the UE midfield, led by Zac Blaydes' five assists. Jesse Stafford Lacey, a freshman out of Banna, Ireland, is second on the team with four, and Ryan Koenig, UE's other senior, has a pair.
Marshall, which has also enjoyed a successful September, will be looking to maintain the form that's seen the Herd pick up four wins in their last six matches. The team is 5-4-0 overall, and will be hunting revenge after dropping a 1-0 match to the Aces last season in Huntington.
Kickoff on Wednesday is slated for 7 p.m.
NOTES: UE is 1-2-0 all-time against Marshall … Last season, former Ace Nate Opperman scored the decisive goal in a 1-0 victory in Huntington … The Thundering Herd won each of the previous two, outscoring the Aces 3-0 over a pair of meetings in 2012 and 2014 … Marshall is the only team the Aces have played from the state of West Virginia … UE is 3-1-2 overall in matches played on Sept. 28, and Wednesday marks the first time the Aces have played on the date since a 3-1 win over Butler in 2003.
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