Wednesday, September 20 • San Antonio • Sigma Beta Chi Field
#T5 Midwestern State (5-0-1) at #16 St. Mary's (4-1-1) • 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 23 • Austin • Lewis-Chen Family Field
#20 St. Mary's at St. Edward's (0-3-1) • 1 p.m.
Rivalry Week: St. Mary's is home on Wednesday for a non-conference match-up with #T5 Midwestern State and then the team renews its rivalry at St. Edward's on Saturday afternoon. The Hilltoppers discontinued their program after the conclusion of the 2019 season, but reinstated it this year.
First Goals: Both Alexander Carey and Avery Estell scored the first goals of their collegiate careers on Sunday at the Academy of Art. Carey scored the first two for the Rattlers, while Estell knocked in the third.
Game-Winners: Senior Cian Foley has already kicked three game-winning goals in 2023, which ties for fourth in St. Mary's single season history. The school record of six is held by Pato Botello Faz from 2018. Both Faz (2017) and Que Willis (1999) are tied for second with five each.
In The Rankings: Wednesday will be the third match-up between nationally-ranked teams at Sigma Beta Chi Field this season. The Rattlers are No. 16 with a 4-1-1 record, while the Mustangs are 5-0-1 and tied for No. 5 in the poll.
Series History: The Rattlers are 6-34 all-time against Midwestern State, but bring a two-match winning streak to Wednesday night. StMU won the regular-season meeting a year ago, 2-0 and knocked the Mustangs out of the NCAA Tournament with a 1-0 victory. Saturday will be the 77th meeting against the Hilltoppers with SEU holding a 48-21-7 edge.
Closing In: Head Coach Johnny Clifford won his 60th career game on Sunday against Academy of Art and is now five victories away from tying the all-time wins record at St. Mary's. Dave Stolarski won 65 contests from 1974-81, while Que Willis is currently second with 62 wins (2003-13).
Nation's Leader: Senior Cian Foley is currently tied for the nation's lead with three game-winning goals. He also leads all of Division II with a perfect penalty kick (2-2) percentage. Sophomore GK Johnny Thurbin ranks seventh in the nation in save percentage (.923) and eighth in goals against average (0.33).
Splitting Time: Both sophomore GK Johnny Thurbin and senior GK Andre Schlaefli have been in goal for 270 minutes this season. Thurbin has allowed one goal and made 12 saves for an 92.3 save percentage, while Schlaefli has surrendered three goals and made 10 saves for an 76.9 save percentage. The pair both rank in the top 68 in the nation in save percentage, and in the top 56 in goals against average.
Keeping It Clean: The Rattlers lead the Lone Star Conference and rank fourth in the nation in fewest fouls per game at 6.50. StMU ranks just ahead of Lubbock Christian's 7.00 (T5th nationally) and Midwestern State's 7.33 (8th).
