CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. --- After getting off to a quick 2-0 start, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga women's soccer team will hit the road to face two strong foes. Friday evening the Mocs will take on five-time Sun Belt Conference champion South Alabama in its second of four straight meetings against the league and then face Troy Sunday afternoon.
 
"We knew when we scheduled South Alabama that this would be one of our toughest weekends," Chattanooga head coach Gavin McKinney said. "We want to challenge ourselves in our out-of-conference play so that we can do well when we hit SoCon. These two games this weekend will do more than that for us. We're expecting extremely tough games against two organized, talented teams."
 
Gameday at South Alabama
Location: Mobile, Ala.
Time: 8:00 p.m. EDT
Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
Streaming Video: South Alabama All-Access
Links available at GoMocs.com
 
Gameday at Troy
Location: Troy, Ala.
Time: 3:00 p.m. EDT
Live Stats: Statbroadcast.com
Streaming Video: TBA
Links available at GoMocs.com
 
About Chattanooga
Head Coach
Gavin McKinney (Lambuth, 2005)
Overall Record: 88-59-12/9^th year
Chattanooga Record: 17-33-9/4^th year
 
The Mocs opened the season with back-to-back wins, their best start since 2009. UTC opened the season with a 3-0 shutout against Alabama A&M at home then traveled to former Southern Conference foe Georgia Southern for another 3-0 win.
 
"I think they're happy with their start, but they also know that there's a lot of work to be done still," McKinney said. "It is early. I think they've got good heads and they realize the big picture. For us to reach our goals and continue to improve once we hit conference play. I think they know they've got to keep working and get better every day. We'll use these two games this weekend as an opportunity to do that."
 
UTC is first in the league for fewest goals allowed (0), goals against average (0.00), shutouts (2), fifth for goals scored (6) and tied for second for assists per game (3.5).
 
Chloe Arnold leads the team with three goals and an assist on the year. She assisted on the game winning goal against the Eagles then added two more goals in the shutout. She leads the league with 11 shots and points (7) and goals (3). Masey Fox is second on the team in scoring with four points. She has one goal and leads the Mocs' with two assists, ranking fourth in the league standings.
 
Fox and Bailey Gale each have a game winning goal. Keepers Ashton Shields and Melia Correa lead the SoCon in saves percentage (1.000) and each has one shutout on the year.
 
About South Alabama
Head Coach
Richard Moodie (Carson-Newman, 2006)
Overall Record: 63-45-8/7 years
South Alabama Record: 15-6-1/2 years
 
The Jaguars have won the last five Sun Belt Conference titles. They opened the season with a 1-0 victory over UAB on the road. It was their first season opening win since 2015. South Alabama took 15 shots and allowed the Blazers only five attempts with one on goal.
 
Abi Mills scored the Jaguars lone goal, unassisted. Ana Helmert and Briana Morris each dished out three shots with three more taking two. Keeper Justice Stanford earned the win with one save and a shutout.
 
South Alabama defeated Alabama A&M 3-0 in its first exhibition this season then earned a 1-0 shutout against Southeastern Louisiana.
 
McKinney's take on South Alabama
"I think they are overall a really talented group. They have a lot of international players on their roster. They've got a nice style about them. They're really organized out of possession so they make it difficult for teams. They're a well-coached side."
 
 
About Troy
Head Coach
Ged O'Connor (Webber International, 1999)
Overall Record: 131-77-14/13 years
Troy Record: 8-11-2/2 years
 
After posting a 2-0 win over Jacksonville on the road, the Trojans stayed in the Sunshine State to take on No. 10 Florida State. The Seminoles posted a 5-0 shutout against Troy, evening out the Trojans' record.
 
Natalie Melillo and Maddie Brune each recorded a goal against the Dolphins with Kate Lorenz getting the lone assist. Acelya Aydogmus played all 90 minutes in goal in each game and has 14 saves (.737) and a 2.50 goals against average with one shuout.
 
Troy will host Kennesaw State Friday night.
 
McKinney's take on Troy
"We take each game one at a time. We're more focused on Friday night, the first game. As soon as that one is done we'll start to shift our focus for Sunday. Troy's had a tough schedule so far, playing Florida State on the weekend, one of the top teams in the country. They'll be well prepared. From what we do know about them, they are a groups that's going to battle and be really organized as well. That will be a tough one too."