By Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lion soccer team will travel to Conway, Ark. today as they take on Central Baptist (Ark.) College, in their second road conference match of the season beginning at 5:00 PM at the Centennial Soccer Park.

SETTING THE STAGE

The Lions (3-4, 1-2) are coming off a 2-0 loss to Park (Mo.) University in their second conference match of the season on Saturday.

The Lions played aggressive on the defensive end and limited the scoring opportunities for the Pirates. After the first half of play, both teams remained scoreless. The first goal came in the 80th minute as Park forward Cyril Gadu was able to send in a high cross pass to Nicholas Andre at the six-yard mark, where Andre was able to fire in the goal off an elevated leg.

Park was able to find the back of the net again in the 81st minute as Cyril Gadu was able to get past several FHU defenders down the field and fire in an unassisted goal past the reaching arms of FHU keeper Zach Johnson. The goal by Gadu marked his sixth of the season and was his second match of the season where he scored a goal and assisted on a goal in the same outing.

Central Baptist (2-3-1, 1-1) is coming into Friday's match off a 3-0 win over Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University. Mustang forward Jarrel Grimes led Central Baptist in total offense with two goals and eight total shots, four of which were on goal. Ferdinand Matebu, Callum Morris and Alex Guerava each contributed on the offensive end with one assist each.

Central Baptist outshot Harris Stowe 22-13 in the match, with 12 of their shots coming on goal compared to the eight shots on goal for the Hornets.

LAST TIME THEY MET

Friday's match will be the first meeting between FHU and Central Baptist, as the Mustangs make their debut this season in the American Midwest Conference.

WHO TO WATCH

Tristan Quadrini (6-1; Jr.; FWD; Columbia, Tenn. /Spring Hill HS)

Although Quadrini has not found the back of the net yet this season, he is regarded as a true scoring threat for the Lion offense. He has attempted six shots on goal so far this season and always seems to position himself in the right place to have a chance to score. Quadrini is coming off a great sophomore season with the Lions, where he started all 15 matches and scored five goals on 25 shot attempts. He scored one game winning goal during the 2014 season. As a freshman, he started 6 matches and had one goal and one assist while taking 15 shots. Look for Quadrini to continue to benefit the Lions on Friday with his solid play on the offensive end.

The Lions match will begin at 5:00 PM tonight following the women's match at the Centennial Soccer Park in Conway, Ark.

COACH QUOTE:

"Central Baptist has a quality side with good target and wing players," Jason Elliott, head coach for the Lions, said. "They are organized and it will be a tough challenge for our guys. Getting strong play from our midfield and up front will be key and we will need to finish the chances we are given. Every game in conference is going to be very tightly contested and Central Baptist will be another one of those matches."