BUENA VISTA, Va. – The Southern Virginia University men's soccer team will return home after five straight road games when they take on Brevard College on Saturday, October 1, with kickoff set for 3 p.m. The match marks the beginning conference play for both teams.

The Knights are hoping to bounce back after a frustrating loss their last time out against Gallaudet. The team controlled possession throughout the game but were unable to create scoring chances, something head coach Payden Pemberton is hoping to change against the Tornados.

"We've worked on a few things to open up opposing defenses and look for specific moments," said Pemberton. "We need to execute our game plan play with confidence. We will trust in our training and the guys we put out there."

This will be the second overall meeting between the programs after Southern Virginia joined the USA South Athletic Conference at the beginning of the 2021 campaign. In last season's matchup the Tornados got on the scoresheet quickly, finding the back of the net in the sixth minute. Estevan Berto scored his second goal of the game in the 26^th minute off an excellent freekick from 35 yards out. Brevard would add a third goal just before halftime, putting the game out of reach.

The Knights will look to test the Tornados backline more than they did last season, when they were outshot 22-5, with none of the five shots being on goal. Matheus Rossi, goalkeeper for Brevard, has been strong so far this year, with 30 saves and three shutouts in eight matches.

Rossi's counterpart, Dallin Chappell, has been just as impressive, who has 31 saves in just four games. Chappell also leads the USA South in save percentage (.838), just ahead of Rossi (.833).

The Knights goalkeeper will be forced to make stops, playing against the league's leading scorer in Ryan Lynch, who has six goals which is the most in the conference and two assists in seven games. Lynch's 2.00 points per game is the best in the USA South. Teammate Igor da Silva sits T-3 in the league in total points with eight, with three goals and notching two assists.

"We're going to get numbers behind the ball and defend together," continued coach Pemberton. "We have been quite resolute in the last couple of games and we will ride that confidence." 

For all the most up-to-date information regarding Southern Virginia University men's soccer, please visit knightathletics.com and follow @knightmsoccer on Instagram.