DWU Men's Soccer Playoff Preview vs Briar Cliff
Dakota Wesleyan Men's Soccer vs Briar Cliff Game Preview
Last Match Up
The last time the Tigers and Chargers met each other on the pitch was on September 20th in Sioux City, Iowa where the Tigers forced a 1-1 draw with their stingy defense. Now the two teams will meet up in the first round of the GPAC Conference men's soccer playoffs. This is the Tigers' first time back in the playoffs since the 2020-21 season.
Last 10 Matchups
The Tigers are 3-5-2 in their last 10 matchups with Briar Cliff, their last win over them was in the 2020 season by a score of 1-0.
A Look Back at the Season
After being picked to finish last in the GPAC, the Dakota Wesleyan Men's soccer team went on to win their first four non-conference matches of the season. The Tigers would lose their first GPAC game of the season against a tough Hastings squad and then drop their last non-conference game to Concordia Moorhead 2-1. Coming off two losses the week prior, DWU traveled to face the Chargers and scored first and then held the Chargers to a draw, the only draw of the season for DWU. Dakota Wesleyan went into a four-game losing streak before coming back to Mitchell for their last three home games. The offense started to click as the Tigers would out score Waldorf, Mount Marty, and Midland 6-1. Looking to improve their playoff position the Tigers traveled to Jamestown and grabbed a 2-0 lead going in the halftime break but would surrender 3 goals to the Jimmies in the rainy game. In the final regular season match, the team braved the snowy conditions but would fall 3-0 to a tough Morningside team.
Players to Watch
Dakota Wesleyan Tigers
- Hunter Birozy has been a force in the goal for the Tigers all season, as he has posted 4 shutouts, has a goalie record of 5-7-1, and has collected 76 saves.
- Cesar Requena has scored three goals this season, two in three of the last matches, and has been an essential part of the Tigers speedy offensive front.
- Korbinian Reider would be the Tigers leader in goals scored but after a forfeit by Trinity Bible, 5 goals were taken away from Reider's stats line. He has scored three goals and puts opposing defenses on notice when he checks into any match.
- Vladislav Burkov has a powerful leg and has put two shots into the back of that net that quite literally go through the keepers' hands. Burkov plays an essential role on both sides of the ball and distributing the ball up field to his teammates.
- Colin Burke has started in 14 of the 15 matches this season and is at the heart of the defense. Burke is one of the tallest athletes on DWU's squad and plays a huge role when it comes to clearing opponents' shots and deep passes to forwards.
Briar Cliff Chargers
- Nicolas Aanensen Karlsen leads the Chargers offense in total minutes and goals scored with 1,166 minutes in 16 matches and 9 goals scored.
- Andrew Buchanan has scored 9 goals as well for the Chargers in his 15 games played.
- Jasper van der Molen is the assist leader for Briar Cliff with six total assists to go with his two goals.
- Goalkeeper Hjalmar Nilsson has 76 saves in 16 matches, only allowing 19 goals to get past him this season. Nilsson posted five shutouts this season, four in the last five games.
