The Tigers Host First Home SAA Matchup
 
The Tigers hit the road this past weekend, opening conference play in their new league, the Southern Athletic Association (SAA). Their first stop was in Georgia to face Oglethorpe University, where the Tigers started strong with a dominant 3-0 victory over the Stormy Petrels. The Tigers' next test came against Berry College, where they dominated play but were held to a 0-0 draw. With a weekend record of 1-0-1, the Tigers now stand at 7-1-3 on the season as they head into the upcoming weekend.
 
Preview - Returning to the Paul
 
After back-to-back weekends away from home, the Tigers are gearing up for an exciting return to the Paul McGinlay Soccer Field. This Saturday, October 11, at 11:00 AM, they'll host their first-ever SAA conference game, a historic milestone for the program, as they take on the Centre College Colonels. Fans can expect an intense and competitive matchup between two teams with plenty to prove in this new conference landscape.
 
On the Centre Colonels: For longtime followers of the program, Centre College may feel like a familiar name. The Tigers and Colonels share a storied history that dates back several decades. Before 2011, the two programs met regularly, squaring off 21 times in total. The Tigers hold a commanding all-time record in the series, with 19 wins, one loss, and one tie, but with more than a decade since their last meeting, both teams will enter the pitch looking to write a new chapter in this old rivalry.
The Colonels received a third place ranking in the SAA Preseason Poll. They will be entering the upcoming weekend with a 10-2-1 record and a 1-1 record in SAA play. Their conference results include a victory over Millsaps College and a setback against Rhodes College, who were ranked fourth in the same preseason poll. Perhaps most notably, Centre faced off against the reigning Division III National Champions, Washington University, in a challenging non-conference match that ended in a 1-5 defeat. A senior forward Riley Givens, No. 15, currently leads the Colonels in goals with 7 throughout their 13 matches and is sure to be on the Tigers radar as a key player to shut down. 
Meanwhile, The Tigers, who were picked first in the SAA preseason rankings, will be eager to defend their home turf and continue their unbeaten streak in conference play, as well as their unbeaten streak on their home turf. With both teams sitting near the top of the SAA standings, this weekend's matchup promises to be a high-intensity contest between two disciplined and dynamic sides. The Tigers will look to shut down any doubts that they did not deserve their number one spot on the preseason ranking, while the Colonels will aim to make a statement on the road and climb the conference leaderboard.

Looking Ahead
 
The Tigers will be headed to Swanee, Tennessee to face off against Swanee: The University of the South on Oct. 18th at 4:00 PM.