12.10.09 00:00 Age: 325 days Wallace State soccer embracing Tuesday’s match in Tuscaloosa Category: Headlines, Sports, Soccer, October 2009 HANCEVILLE -- A match against any four-year college is important to Wallace State’s soccer team. It’s more exciting when the opponent is the University of Alabama’s club soccer team because of the alumni ties with Wallace State.
Wallace State (6-5-1) is scheduled to play Tuesday in Tuscaloosa beginning at 7 p.m.
“We’re real excited about this match. It’s almost an alumni game for us because we have five guys over there who played at Wallace State,” said Wallace State coach Barry Spitzer. “It’s always important when we play and compete with a team with the name recognition of Alabama.”
Wallace State enters Tuesday’s contest on a high note after posting its first shutout of the season Saturday in a 6-0 victory over Samford University.
The Lions received scoring contributions from five players. Griff Gowers scored a pair of goals and Greg Solano, Craig Munn, Scott Nightingale and Daniel Martin had a goal apiece.
Martin added two assists in the win and Solano, Corey Wisdom, Andrew Crenshaw, Clint Patterson and Colton Stinson each finished with one.
Wallace State started the season with its share of inconsistencies, but has rebounded to win five of its last seven matches. After Tuesday’s tilt with Alabama, the Lions have four remaining matches in October to close the regular season.
“We’ve been trying new things at times and rotating players in and out for certain situations. We’re doing that so all of our guys will be prepared to contribute late in the season,” Spitzer said. “I feel we have a good system in place. It’s just a matter of reaching deeper on the bench and getting those guys more accustomed to the system.”
Freshman Alex Kuklinski serves as Wallace State’s leading scorer, while Gowers and Crenshaw aren’t far behind.
“Alex has definitely scored the big goals for us. Offensively, I also believe that Steven Hickey and Austin Gamble have stepped up and played well. Neither guy is going to light up the stat sheet, but they are making huge contributions to the team,” Spitzer said. “Our defenders are also doing well. Guys like Jake Smith, Brandon Briscoe and Griff Gowers have really been playing well. Daniel Martin is another quiet guy who just seems to get the job done.”
After playing in Tuscaloosa, Wallace State travels to Montgomery to oppose Faulkner University’s junior varsity Friday beginning at 3:30 p.m.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.wallacestate.edu. Russell Moore
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