WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary men's soccer returns to the road Saturday evening, traveling to Wilmington, N.C., for a CAA matchup against UNCW at UNCW Soccer Stadium.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., with the match streamed live on FloCollege.
THE TRIBE. William & Mary enters Saturday at 2-2-1 overall and 1-0-1 in CAA play following a 2-0 victory over College of Charleston last Saturday at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field.
The Tribe scored twice in the second half against the Cougars, with freshman Brown Huffard breaking the scoreless tie in the 49th minute before Beckham Harris converted a penalty kick in the 63rd. Diego Garciarena made a season-high five saves to record his first shutout in a W&M uniform.
W&M has scored 13 goals through five matches, averaging 2.6 per contest. The Tribe has put 25 of its 62 shots on goal and has scored eight of its 13 goals after halftime.
CAA HONORS ROLL IN. Garciarena and Huffard earned two of the CAA's weekly awards on Monday following their performances in the victory over Charleston.
Garciarena was named CAA Defensive Player of the Week after recording a season-high five saves and keeping a clean sheet against the Cougars. The shutout was his first as a member of the Tribe and the sixth of his collegiate career.
Huffard continued his impressive start by earning CAA Rookie of the Week honors for the third consecutive week. The McLean, Va., native has claimed each of the league's first three Rookie of the Week awards this season.
THREE-FOR-THREE FOR BROWN. Huffard enters Saturday as W&M's leader with three goals and seven points through his first five collegiate matches.
The freshman scored the game-winning goal against Charleston, finding the back of the net just over three minutes into the second half. It marked his first game-winning goal of the season.
Huffard has scored on three of his six shots this season and has put four attempts on goal.
SHARING THE WEALTH. William & Mary has received goals from eight different players through five matches.
Huffard leads the Tribe with three goals, while Alex Garrison has scored twice. Gabe Ruitenberg, Aidan Gatchell, Damen Burney, Kai Feng, Harris and Evan Rabush have each found the back of the net. Two additional goals have been credited as team goals.
Ruitenberg leads W&M with three assists and is tied with Garrison for second on the team with five points. Gatchell has added four points on a goal and two assists.
DIEGO DELIVERS. Garciarena has played nearly every minute in goal for the Tribe this season and enters Saturday coming off his best performance in the Green and Gold.
The senior has recorded 19 saves through five matches, including his season-high five in the shutout of Charleston. He owns a 2-2-1 record and recorded W&M's first clean sheet of the season against the Cougars.
THE SEAHAWKS. UNCW enters Saturday unbeaten at 3-0-1 overall and 1-0 in CAA play. The Seahawks are 2-0-1 at UNCW Soccer Stadium this season.
UNCW has opened the year with four consecutive shutouts and is coming off a 1-0 victory over defending CAA champion Elon in its conference opener. The Seahawks are ranked No. 2 in the United Soccer Coaches Atlantic Region and received votes in the organization's national poll this week.
Defender Jake Roberts scored the game-winning goal against Elon and earned CAA Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors. Roberts was one of three Seahawks selected to the Preseason All-CAA Team, joining midfielder Osei Gyamfi and goalkeeper Trey Smiley. Bryan Miralrio and Gavin Carmichael received preseason honorable mention recognition.
UNCW was selected second in the CAA South Division preseason poll, receiving one first-place vote.
TRIBE VS. SEAHAWKS. William & Mary holds a 38-11-7 advantage in the all-time series against UNCW.
The teams split a pair of meetings last season. UNCW earned a 5-0 victory in Wilmington on Sept. 13 before the Tribe responded with a 2-0 win at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Oct. 4.
Saturday will be the first of two meetings between the programs this season. The Seahawks make the return trip to Williamsburg on Oct. 31.
CAA SOUTH SHOWDOWN. Saturday's matchup features two of the early leaders in the CAA South Division.
W&M enters the weekend unbeaten in conference play at 1-0-1 following a 1-1 draw at Elon and a 2-0 home victory over Charleston. UNCW sits at 1-0 after opening its league slate with the 1-0 win over Elon.
The Tribe was selected fifth in the CAA South Division preseason poll, while the Seahawks were picked second.
WHAT'S NEXT. Following Saturday's match, William & Mary remains on the road for a nonconference matchup at UMBC on Saturday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Baltimore, Md.
