BIG SOUTH UNBEATENS CLASH SATURDAY AT CUPP

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Unbeaten and untied is a moniker only Radford (10-3-2, 7-0-0) and Coastal Carolina (11-4-0, 6-0-0) can boast heading into Saturday's Big South showdown at Cupp Stadium. With a possible share of the conference regular season crown hanging in the balance, the Highlanders and Chanticleers kick off at 2:00 p.m. RU can clinch the top seed in the Big South Tournament and a share of the regular season title with a win.

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Radford head coach Marc Reeves understands the task ahead of his team against a perennial power like Coastal. "Credit goes to Coach Docking, his staff, and the Coastal teams, who have been hugely successful over the past few seasons, not only within Big South league play, but doing an excellent job on the national level in the NCAA tournament. Our group has worked very hard to earn the opportunity at a title, and we will ensure we prepare relentlessly to perform at a high level for this big game."

Coastal leads the all-time series, 18-12-3, and has won four straight against the Highlanders, including a 3-2 win in the Big South semifinals a year ago.

SCOUTING THE CHANTICLEERS
Coastal Carolina has won eight of its last nine games with the only loss coming in overtime at Clemson. The Chants won an important Big South game over Winthrop on Wednesday 2-0 to remain undefeated in conference play. CCU has four players who have scored in double figures for the season: Ricky Garbanzo (4g, 5a, 13p), Sergio Camargo (4g, 4a, 12p), Bryce Follensbee (4g, 4a, 12p), and Elis Bjornsson (3g, 4a, 10p). As a team, Coastal is the only other Big South team to have a goals against average less than a goal (0.92). Devin Cook-Perales owns a 1.06 GAA in his 12 decisions (8-4) as goalkeeper.

THE HIGHLANDERS
Radford has also won eight of its last nine games with the only loss coming at Virginia. With last weekend's win at Gardner-Webb, the Highlanders set the school record for the best start in Big South play at 7-0-0 moving in front of the 6-0-1 start by the 2012 squad. Stephen Hudgens and Kieran Roberts each lead the team with five goals, and each have a league-best three game-winners on the season. Dario Redondo has scored four times, including the game-winner at GWU. Aitor Pouseu Blanco leads the Big South in several keeper categories: shutouts (6), goals against average (0.90), and victories (10).

With a win, RU would achieve at least a tie for the league regular season title, its first since 1998. The Highlanders would also be assured the top seed in the Big South Tournament with a victory.

"We need to ensure we have execution in playing to our strengths as group against this quality team and not lose focus with what for sure will be an emotional and highly competitive game," Reeves said. "We are hopeful the RU students, local soccer fans, and youth players will turn out in large numbers for this vital and exciting game. We truly appreciate the support, and I know we will really benefit from an energized crowd."

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Players Mentioned

#15 Stephen Hudgens: MF; 5' 11"; Senior

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco: GK; 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman

#10 Dario Redondo: MF/F; 5' 7"; Senior

#7 Kieran Roberts: F; 6' 0"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#15 Stephen Hudgens
: 5' 11"; Senior
: MF

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco
: 6' 2"; Redshirt Freshman
: GK

#10 Dario Redondo
: 5' 7"; Senior
: MF/F

#7 Kieran Roberts
: 6' 0"; Freshman
: F