MEN'S SOCCER LOOKS TO BUILD ON STRONG START AT ETSU SATURDAY

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Radford puts its unbeaten record on the line and plays the last of four straight road matches to begin the season when the Highlanders travel to East Tennessee State on Saturday for a 7 p.m. meeting.

The Highlanders (2-0-1) look to continue their streak of positive results in a test at ETSU – the Buccaneers (3-1-0) are ranked sixth in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Men's South Region Poll, coming off three wins last week.

"We have played fairly well in creating chances and possessing the ball but need to speed up our play in the final third,” head coach Marc Reeves said. “We have to be more decisive and ready for big moments that will occur in a game like this. ETSU is an excellent team that has started the season very well. They are solid in all areas, but very dynamic in the attacking positions. We will need to be well prepared and fully focused the entire game."

HIGHLANDER NOTES

Radford enters the weekend as one of two remaining unbeaten Big South sides, joining High Point.   The Highlanders were unscored upon in their first 257:47 of action in 2012 – they enter the weekend tied for the fewest goals (2) allowed among Big South teams.

Among starting goalkeepers, fifth-year senior Ryan Taylor leads the conference in goals against average (0.62) and save percentage (.857). With his 10th career shutout in Radford's 1-0 win over Northern Kentucky last Friday, Taylor moved into a tie for fourth on the school's career ranking, matching women's soccer assistant Chris Barrett's career total.

In the offensive half, the Highlanders have put pressure on their opponents this season – Radford has a 54-26 shooting advantage for the season, including a 23-9 shot advantage in the opening half.

Five different players have recorded Radford's five tallies this season (nine players scored for RU last season). Top returning scorer Luis Grande was involved in a pair of goals in last Sunday's 4-2 win over Adelphi – it was the second career multi-assist game for the junior midfielder (last vs. Stony Brook, 9/11/11).

THE MATCHUP

The Highlanders and Buccaneers have met two previous times since ETSU began its program in 2008 – both teams have home 1-0 wins in the series.

Last weekend, the Buccaneers picked up their first win against a Top-25 team when they beat No. 17 UAB 1-0 in double overtime on Sunday. ETSU went 15-6-0 last season – the Buccaneers have 28 wins over the last three years, most among Atlantic Sun Conference teams.

UP NEXT

Radford plays at home for the first time in 2012 next Friday, and welcomes Marist, Marshall and UNC Asheville to Cupp Stadium for the RU Tournament.   The Highlanders will face Marist on Friday (Sept. 14) at 7 p.m. and Marshall on Sunday (Sept. 16) at 4 p.m.

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