BROWNWOOD, Texas- The Howard Payne University men's soccer team (5-8-2, 2-5-1) will travel to Marshall, Texas to play the East Texas University Tigers (6-6-3, 2-3-3) on Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 P.M. at the Cornish Soccer Field in its penultimate match of the season.
HOW TO FOLLOW
·      Watch here
·      Stats here
LAST TIME OUT
Howard Payne won its final home match of the season against McMurry on Saturday evening after graduate defender Cameron Phipps and senior midfielder Xzavier Saldana delivered two crucial goals in the second half. The result meant that HPU won both matches against McMurry this season.
SCOUTING REPORT
The Yellow Jackets and the Tigers played to a goalless tie in their previous matchup at the Citizens National Bank Soccer Field on September 26. East Texas Baptist have scored 27 goals this season, while conceding 26 goals.
Joshua Daley is ETBU's leading goalscorer and points leader, with eight goals and 19 points. Braxton Ladwig has been the Tigers' most creative player this season with five assists. Ryan Lord is East Texas Baptist's primary goalkeeper this season. Lord has started all 13 games he's played and made 69 saves, while allowing 21 goals.
AROUND THE ASC
Howard Payne is fifth in the ASC Conference standings, while East Texas Baptist is two games ahead in fourth. HPU is still fighting to host a first-round matchup in the ASC Conference Tournament.
Howard Payne is represented by senior midfielder Xzavier Saldana and freshman forward Connor Parker in the conference leaders for offensive categories.
Saldana is eighth in points (12), ninth in shots (26), tenth in goals (5) and one of many players in the conference with two game winning goals. Parker is fifth in shots (34), sixth in shots on goal (18).
Sophomore goalkeeper Adrian Villa is third in saves per game (5.15), and saves (67), fifth in goals against average (2.22) and is one of three goalkeepers tied for second in the shutouts list with two.
Up Next: The Howard Payne University men's soccer game will play its final match of the regular season when the Yellow Jackets will travel to Belton, Texas to play the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders at the Cru Soccer Complex on Saturday, October 31 at 7:30 PM.
