COMMONWEALTH FOES SET TO CLASH WEDNESDAY NIGHT

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MATCH INFORMATION

SETTING THE STAGE

Radford opens Big South home play with a matchup against Commonwealth foe Liberty in the second game of a Radford soccer doubleheader, Wednesday night at Cupp Stadium.
The Highlanders have won their last four Big South home openers with the last loss coming on October 1, 2011 in a 1-0 overtime loss to UNC Asheville.
In the matchup between the in-state foes, Liberty holds a slight 24-23-12 edge in the all-time series.
Radford has won the last three meetings, including a 3-0 victory in Lynchburg a season ago.

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 7-2-0, 1-0-0 Big South
The Highlanders opened league play with a win over Gardner-Webb on Oct. 1. In the win, Michael Walsh collected the lone goal, his second on the year.
Finishing with three saves in the win and the 19^th shutout of his career, Aitor Pouseu Blanco was awarded his first Big South Confernce Defensive Player of the Week award on Monday.
Pouseu Blanco has yeield only six goals in 733:41 minutes this season, tallying 28 saves through eight matches.
The redshirt-junior leads the Big South and ranks 37th nationally with a 0.74 goals against average. As of today, he ranks tied for second all-time in Big South history with a 0.86 career goals against average.
Radford has scored 15 goals on the season, averaging 1.67 per match.
Nine different Highlanders have found the back of the net with Sivert Daehlie tied for sixth in the league with four goals. Three of Daehlie's goals have come as game winners, which ranks 10^th nationally.
Radford's defense has been one of the best in the country over the last two season as the Highlanders have only allowed seven goals in 2016, ranking 35^th nationally with a 0.76 goals against average.

SCOUTING LIBERTY

Record: 4-5-1, 1-1-0 Big South
Liberty looks to snap a two-match losing streak, dropping matches to Dayton (Sept. 27) and UNC Asheville (Oct. 1) during the span.
Liberty has dropped three matches by one goal and two matches by two goals during the 2016 season.
The Flames last win came in their Big South opener on Sept. 24 with a 4-3 victory over Winthrop. In the win, Kevin Mendoza scored two goals and assisted on another goal.
Tresor Mbuyu has scored six goals and assisted on three for 15 points this season. He ranks second in the league in goals and points.
Seven different Flames have scored on the season with four scoring three or more goals.
Liberty has collected 20 assists on the season, ranking 17^th nationally with 2.00 per match.
James Knoebel has played every minute between the posts this season. He holds a 1.75 goals against average and .735 save percentage.

UP NEXT

The Highlanders continue home league play on Saturday, hosting Presbyterian in a 7 p.m. matchup.
Radford holds a 11-4-3 advantage in the all-time series.

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Players Mentioned