Match Preview: Faith Men's Soccer vs. Ozark
Week 6: #6 Faith (5-0-1) vs. Ozark Christian College (3-5-1) |
|
| Match 7: Ozark |
Friday, Oct. 3 | 3:00 p.m. CT | Pyche Field | Ankeny, IA |
| Watch Live: | |
| Live Stats: | |
| Digital Program: | |
Ankeny, IA -- Faith men's soccer will play host to an Ozark squad that is on the rise coming off a couple of bigs wins. Friday's MCCC match will take place at Pyche field at 3:00 p.m. CT.
LAST TIME OUT
The Eagles protected their home field in a 12-0 victory over Calvary, followed by an exhibition match against Buena Vista on the road.
TOP TEN
Faith men's soccer earned a spot in the National Rankings on September 23rd, marking their first time breaking into the top ten since September 14th, 2021. Ranked at #6, the Eagles received their highest spot in the coaches poll since December of 2015.
TOP OF THE CONFERENCE
With wins over Barclay and Emmaus, the Eagles are currently 3-0-0 in MCCC play and are #1 in the Conference heading into week five of the season.
GROOVY GOALKEEPERS
The Eagles have posted four shutouts in 2025 so far. Enzo Pileggi snagged two saves in his first clean sheet of the season against Barclay (9/12), and Zeke Denger recorded 4 saves on his way to his first career clean sheet against Emmaus (9/16). The Keepers split time against both Union and Calvary to bring the team's shutout count to four.
FIRST GOAL
Austin Lundberg scored the first goal of the year for the Eagles, marking his first career goal in the process.
FAITH NOTES
- Faith finished the 2024 season with an 7-13-1 record, finishing their season in the North Region tournament semifinals.
- The Eagles return over half of their offensive output from the 2024 season, with 55% (22/40) of the team's goals and 53% (17/32) of its assists.
- Faith competed in one preseason scrimmage against North Central, allowing them to test new roles and lineups before the season began.
- The Eagles return 10 members from the 2024 squad, seven of which started double-digit matches in 2024; Andre Quintana (18), Enzo Pileggi (18), Parker Lundberg (17), Zachary Choi (15), Grant Busenitz (15), Kevin Richardson (14), and Carter Whitcher (12).
NEW FACES
The Eagles men's soccer program and head coach Gary Backous welcome 15 newcomers to the 2025 roster. The new additions look to have an immediate impact in every area of the field.
SCOUTING THE AMBASSADORS
Ozark brings an even spread of experience to the table, led by second year head coach Zane Sutherlin. The Ambassadors currently sit in fourth place in MCCC standings, with a Conference record of 1-1-0 (5-0 W over Manhattan/0-1 L to Barclay). The teams met twice in 2024, with Faith taking a 7-3 win on the road, and a 2-1 win at home for the season sweep.
