CLINTON, Miss. — October brings another important Gulf South Conference test for the Mississippi Christian women's soccer team.
The Lady Choctaws return home Saturday to face Auburn University at Montgomery at 10 a.m. at Robert P. Longabaugh Field, with both teams looking to pick up valuable ground in conference play.
LADY CHOCTAWS BRING BALANCED ATTACK
Mississippi Christian enters Saturday with a 4-3-2 overall record and a 1-2-2 mark in GSC play.
The Lady Choctaws have produced 12 goals through nine matches while putting 47 of their 103 shots on target. Their attack has been led by a group of players rather than a single scorer.
Junior forward Jaylen Bodry has seven points on two goals and three assists and has been one of the team's most active players in the attacking third. She leads Mississippi Christian with 25 shots and 13 shots on goal.
Senior forward Abby Badurak and junior forward Kerri O'Hara have provided the finishing touch, with three goals apiece.
Mississippi Christian has also received goals from Parker St. Amant, Lillie McCutchen and Jadyn Lo Bue-Holzer.
In goal, freshman Paityn Settlemires and sophomore Brynn Hedberg have split time. Settlemires has posted a 0.67 goals-against average and an .800 save percentage, while Hedberg has a 2.44 goals-against average and a .621 save percentage.
The Lady Choctaws will look to bounce back after a 1-0 loss at Lee on Sept. 26.
SCOUTING AUM
Auburn University at Montgomery enters the matchup at 3-5-2 overall and 1-4 in conference play.
The Warhawks have scored nine goals this season while allowing nine. Their offense has generated 108 shots, with 41 finding the target.
Senior forward Eva Hendriks has emerged as AUM's primary offensive threat. Hendriks has four goals and one assist for nine points and has taken 37 shots, including 20 on goal.
That makes Hendriks a player Mississippi Christian's defense will have to account for throughout the match.
Chloe Wallace and Bella Ingstrom have each added a goal and two assists, while Jenna Buice has contributed one goal and one assist.
AUM started the season with a 1-1 tie against Emory and followed with victories over Edward Waters and Georgia Southwestern. The Warhawks also defeated Christian Brothers 2-0 on Sept. 19.
AUM enters Clinton looking to snap a three-match losing streak.
A CHANCE TO MAKE A STATEMENT AT HOME
For Mississippi Christian, Saturday is another opportunity to turn strong stretches of play into conference points.
The Lady Choctaws have shown they can create chances, with more than 100 shots through their first nine matches. Against AUM, converting those opportunities could be critical.
AUM presents a different challenge with Hendriks leading an attack that has produced nearly half of the team's goals.
The matchup also features two teams entering October looking to build momentum in conference play.
With the Lady Choctaws back on their home field, Mississippi Christian will look to set the tone early and make Robert P. Longabaugh Field a difficult place for the Warhawks to play.
Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in Clinton.
