The Ottawa University men's soccer team returns to AdventHealth Field for two straight home contests this week, starting with the York Panthers on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.
- Following the first two games that resulted in one loss and one draw, Ottawa has won eight of their nine eight games to push their KCAC leading record to 8-2-1. The Braves have jumped out to a 5-0 start to conference play for the first time since 2012. The Braves are coming off a 4-1 road win at Avila on Sunday, courtesy of Slobodan Novicevic's first career hat-trick.
- York always proves to be a tough contest for Ottawa, with the Panthers owning a slight 4-3 advantage in the series history. York won last year's matchup at home, defeating OU 3-1.
- Ottawa is led on offense by Bence Molnar, the KCAC's leading goal scorer and the NAIA third leading goal scorer with 12 goals. Slobodan Novicevic has benefited playing alongside Molnar up front, ranking second in the KCAC in goals (10), fourth in assists (5) and second in points (25). Alonso Basauri has also racked up six assists to rank tied for second in the KCAC alonsidge Molnar, who also has six assists.
- Novicevic recieved both NAIA & KCAC Offensive Player of the Week awards this past week, following four goals and an assist in wins over Tabor and Avila. He scored a game-winning penalty kick in the 3-2 win over Tabor, then followed with his first career hat-trick in a 4-1 win at Avila.
- The Braves will need to be efficient and clinical against Panther's goalkeeper Matej Hron and a stout Panthers' defense. Hron leads the KCAC in multiple GK statistics, and has been named KCAC Defensive Player of the Week the last two weeks. Hron and York's defense have only allowed seven goals all season, which comes to a 0.93 goals allowed average per game.
- Up Next: Braves return to AdventHealth Field on Friday, hosting Bethany at 7:30 p.m.
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