This Week In WAC Men's Soccer - Sept. 14
This Week In WAC Men's Soccer - Sept. 14
CALIFORNIA BAPTIST REMAINS ATOP A CROWDED WAC NONCONFERENCE TABLE
California Baptist remained in front of a crowded field in the nonconference WAC standings following a scoreless draw with CSU Bakersfield on Sept. 13. The Lancers have earned results in three of their last four starts dating back to Sept. 1. Grand Canyon (3-3-0), Houston Baptist (2-2-0) and Utah Valley (2-2-1) were just behind CBU with .500 records.
AIR FORCE WITH A KEY 1-1 DRAW AT #3 WASHINGTON
Another key result for a WAC member against a top-five national opponent took place in the season’s third week, as Air Force earned a gritty 1-1 draw at No. 3 Washington on Sept. 11. The Falcons battled back after a goal in the second minute by the Huskies and John Byszewski turned aside two penalty kicks from Washington to keep it a one-score match. Thaddaeus Dewing found the back of the net in the 88th minute for his conference-high third goal of the season to salt away the 1-1 tie.
WAC TEAMS MAKING PRESENCE FELT AGAINST TOUTED FOES
It began on the opening night of the season when Seattle U traveled to No. 4 Notre Dame and claimed a 3-1 victory on Aug. 25, setting the stage for early season WAC success against nonconference opposition. UNLV tied No. 22 Santa Clara 0-0 on Aug. 25 and Utah Valley battled No. 5 Oregon State to a scoreless draw on Aug. 29. Air Force kept No. 25 Missouri off the scoreboard in a 0-0 stalemate on Sept. 2 before its 1-1 performance at No. 3 Washington on Sept. 11.
THE BATTLE FOR VARIOUS CONFERENCE STATISTICS LEADS
As of matches on Sept. 13, GCU’s Shaun Joash was the WAC leader with seven points after tallying two goals and three assists over six matches. Five other players are tied for second behind Joash with six points each. Utah Valley’s Mark Andros and Air Force’s Thaddaeus Dewing have each scored three goals to pace the conference. CBU’s Nolan Premack sat atop the goals against average (0.60) and save percentage (.850) charts.
SEATTLE U THE NEXT WAC TEAM TO TAKE ON WASHINGTON
Seattle U is the third member of the WAC to face off against Pac-12 powerhouse Washington thus far this season, with the Redhawks set to travel to the No. 3 Huskies on Sept. 20. Utah Valley dropped a 4-1 decision on Sept. 2 and Air Force earned a 1-1 draw at Washington on Sept. 11. Washington is also scheduled to travel to Grand Canyon on Sept. 24.