Game Time...It's a match-up between unbeaten teams as Northwestern makes the trip to Sioux City to play Briar Cliff in the Raiders GPAC opener this weekend. Gametime is set for 3:30pm. Both teams are 2-0 this season; Briar Cliff is 1-0 in conference action.

    Follow the game live at these links: Watch Now | Live Stats

All-Time...The two rivals first played during the 1996 season, the Raiders second year of fielding a men's soccer program. Northwestern is 12-12-3 all-time against Briar Cliff but is winless in its last four matches (3 losses, 1 tie) against the Sioux City squad on the western side. Last year, the Raiders dropped both matches to BCU, 1-0 in the regular season and 3-2 in the GPAC quarterfinals. Northwestern last defeated the Chargers in 2017, the last of a three-game win streak for Coach Swier's club.

Scouting Report...

    Briar Cliff Chargers: 2-0 (1-0 GPAC)            Head Coach: Cory Christensen

The Chargers are 2-0 this season, picking up both wins in road matches. They defeated Dakota Wesleyan 3-2 on Sept. 6 and followed with a narrow 1-0 win over Dordt in their GPAC opener. 

Christensen returns seven starters and 11 players from a 2019 team that finished tied for third in the GPAC with a 9-2 record, 13-6-1 overall. They lost to Hastings in the conference championship match, one win away from qualifying for the national championship. Picked third in the conference preseason poll, Briar Cliff lost its starting goalkeeper who earned first team all-conference honors as well as a couple of defensive player who also received all-conference recognition.

    By the Numbers:
    Goals / Game: 2
    Shots on Goal / Game: 12.5
    Goals Against / Game: 1
    Shots on Goal Against  / Game: 2.5

    Top Players: (*denotes returning starter)
    *Joao Pedro Lima - 2 goals
    *Sebastian Justinian - 1 goal, 1 assist
    *Marcus Norwood (1st team all-GPAC) - scored 12 goals, 7 assists last year
    *Rodrigo Oliveira (2nd team all-GPAC) - scored 10 goals, 7 assists last year
    *Martin De Leon (HM all-GPAC)
    Leandro Faria - 2 saves, 0 goals against

    Northwestern Notes: 2-0 overall             Head Coach: Dan Swier (13th year)

Like the Chargers, Northwestern is off to a 2-0 start, including a 1-0 win against Dordt. The Raiders began with a 3-0 victory at home against Missouri Baptist but needed extra time to down the Defenders on Sept. 12. 

The Raiders have yet to give up a goal this season as newcomer Ezekiel Foltz has earned consecutive shutouts and was named the GPAC Defensive Player of the Week. The sophomore has stopped all 11 shots faced in the two games. 

    By the Numbers:
    Goals / Game: 2
    Shots on Goal / Game: 8.5
    Goals Against / Game: 0
    Shots on Goal Against / Game: 5.5

    Top Players:
    Jake Foscalina - 2 goals, 3 shots on goal
    Josh Wingfield - 1 goal, 3 shots on goal
    Philippe Patri - 1 goal, 3 shots on goal
    Marco Alessio - 1 assist, 2 shots on goal
    Ezekiel Foltz - 11 saves, 2 shutouts