By Matt Barker, Sports Information Director

HENDERSON, Tenn. - The Freed-Hardeman Lady Lion soccer team will look to get back on track in conference play this week as they face Central Baptist College on Friday at 3:00 PM at the Centennial Soccer Park in Conway, Ark.

SETTING THE STAGE

The Lady Lions (4-3, 1-2) are coming off a 1-0 loss to Park University (5-2, 3-0) on Saturday in their second straight conference loss of the season. The only goal of the match came in the 15th minute after Park midfielder Isabel Sullivan was able to send a long pass to the left corner to Gabi Severns, who was able to fire in a shot from about 18 yards out just past the reaching arms of FHU keeper Lauren Cherry. The goal for Severns marked her sixth of the season.

The Pirates outshot the Lady Lions 17-3 in the match, with eight of Park's shots coming on goal. Cherry was solid in goal and was able to save seven of the eight shots on goal by the Pirates in the match.

Central Baptist College (0-6-1, 02-1) is coming into Friday's match off a 3-3 tie to Stephens (Mo.) College on September 22. Peyton Turner led the way for the Mustangs in the match scoring one goal and attempting six total shots, with three of them being on goal. Stephens forward Martha Noelker came off the bench for the Stars and completed a hat trick in the 3-3 tie.

The Mustangs are led by junior defender Tatum Gombard, who has two of Central Baptist's seven goals this season and is one of the team's top defenders. Central Baptist senior Allyson Lamb has also contributed on the offensive end and has dished out two assists so far this season.

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

Ana Aponte has been solid so far this season on the defensive end as the Lady Lions have limited the opposition from pushing the ball forward and getting touches inside the box. Aponte is the most experienced defender on the Lady Lion squad. After playing outside midfielder for the Lady Lions as a freshman, she moved to defender her sophomore season and has continued to thrive each year at the position. As the only senior on the defensive back, she will be looked upon to lead a young Lady Lion defense in limiting touches inside the box. With a win on Friday, the Lady Lions can even up their conference record at 2-2. Look for Aponte to continue her strong play this week on the road.

The Lady Lions match will begin at 3:00 PM on Friday at the Centennial Soccer Park in Conway, Ark.

COACH QUOTE:

"Our ladies have been working hard and are looking forward to this match," Jason Elliott, head coach for the Lady Lions, said. "We have never played Central Baptist before, but need to create more scoring opportunities then in our recent matches. Our movement off the ball will be the key to our success."