OKLAHOMA CITY – The No. 1 MACU men's soccer team is preparing to take on one of its biggest rivals for a midweek Sooner Athletic Conference match as the Evangels head uptown to Bethany, Oklahoma on Tuesday to face off against Southwestern Christian for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff at Cagle Family Field.
 
SEASON REPORT

• Record: 7-0-3 (1-0-1 SAC)
• Last Match: Tied vs Science & Arts (Okla.) – 1-1 – Sept. 30, 2023 – Dill Soccer Field
• Top Performers:
  • Jack Price – SR – F
    • 5 Goals, 10 Points, 20 Shots, 11 SOG, 3 GWG
  • Charlie Betts – JR – F
    • 3 Goals, 1 Assist, 7 Points, 18 Shots, 7 SOG
  • Kolby Godbolt – JR – F
    • 3 Goals, 6 Points, 19 Shots, 6 SOG, 2 GWG
  • Claudio Fuentealba – JR – GK
    • 6-0-2 W-L, 0.63 GAA, 20 Saves, .800 SV%, 4 SHO
• Team Notes:
  • For the second straight year, Mid-America Christian drew even with one of its biggest conference rivals on Saturday night as a late equalizer by Science & Arts ultimately sealed a 1-all draw.
  • The Evangels had multiple chances at winning the match against the Drovers, but MACU unfortunately had three goals negated due to foul or offsides calls as well as had a penalty kick attempt saved by the Drovers in the tie.
  • MACU's leading scorer Jack Price has continued his ascent up the MACU men's soccer scoring record book with his 20^th career goal scored against the Drovers. With that score, Price has become just the fifth player for the Evangels in the NAIA Era (2007-present) to net 20 or more career goals, drawing even with Allan Sorato (2018-19) for the fourth-most. Price also currently sits in a tie for fourth in career points (50) with a former teammate in Luan Cesar (2020-22).
  • Mid-America Christian is still looking for its stride on the offensive end in 2023. The Evangels enter Tuesday afternoon's match against Southwestern Christian with a 1.70 goals per game average, which ranks just eighth in the SAC. Thus far, it is MACU's lowest GPG average since 2016. However, the Evangels have continued to play at an elite level defensively, as the 0.80 goals allowed average is currently on-pace for the second-lowest in program history, sitting only behind last year's record clip of 0.46.

SCOUTING REPORT
Southwestern Christian (Okla.)

• Record: 2-5-1 (1-1-0 SAC)
• Last Match: Lost at John Brown (Ark.) – 2-1 – Sept. 30, 2023 – Siloam Springs, Ark.
• Series vs MACU (2004-): MACU leads 14-10-1
• Last Match vs MACU: MACU won 3-2 – Oct. 25, 2022 – Dill Soccer Soccer Field
• Series Streak: MACU won 3
• Players to Watch:
  • Jason Hogan – SR – F
    • 4 Goals, 8 Points, 12 Shots, 5 SOG, 1 GWG
  • Teejay Chiororo – SR – F
    • 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 5 Points, 21 Shots, 8 SOG
  • Andre Lopes – JR – D
    • 2 Goals, 1 Assist, 5 Points, 12 Shots, 6 SOG, 1 GWG
  • Santiago Esparza – SR – GK
    • 1-3 W-L, 3.00 GAA, 14 Saves, .538 SV%
• Team Notes:
  • Southwestern Christian split a pair of 2-1 games in its first two SAC matches of the year, picking up a win at home against Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) on Tuesday before falling by the same result at John Brown on Saturday.
  • Much like the Evangels, Southwestern Christian has struggled offensively thus far in the 2023 season, averaging the second-lowest goals per game in the SAC at 1.38 and are conceding 2.50 goals per contest. However, also similarly to MACU, the Eagles come into conference play battle tested, playing four teams ranked in the NAIA Top 25 during non-conference play.
  • SCU's top scorers so far this season are a pair of experienced returners from last season in Jason Hogan and Teejay Chiororo, combining to score six of the Eagles' 11 goals. Defensively, senior keeper Santiago Esparza and sophomore stopper Matej Horn have split time in-net for the Eagles with Esparza getting the nod in the two SAC contests this far. Horn comes in allowing 2.00 GAA with a .667 save percentage while Esparza is conceding 3.00 GAA and a .538 save clip. However, Esparza has been stronger in SAC play thus far, allowing a 1.50 GAA on a .727 save percentage.
  • Mid-America Christian has fared well against the Eagles by winning the last three meetings, which included a thrilling 3-2 victory at the Dill Soccer Field on Oct. 25, 2022 when Mason Gonzalez headed in the game-winner in the 81^st minute to seal the SAC regular season title.