Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

Arizona Christian University

OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE OF ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
2022 MS vs Vanguard (2023 Preview - Tiago Soares)

Men's Soccer Payne Moses

Eagles, Buccaneers kick off five-game homestand

Glendale, Ariz.- Arizona Christian Men's Soccer returns to the field for the 2023 season, as they host Embry-Riddle (AZ) and Park University-Gilbert to begin the non-conference portion of their schedule. 

Match Details
Arizona Christian vs. Embry-Riddle (AZ) - Tuesday, August 22 at 8:00 PM
Arizona Christian vs. Park University-Gilbert - Friday, August 25 at 8:00 PM
ACU Football Field - Glendale, Arizona

Parking Map - http://www.acufirestorm.com/images/Parking_for_TEC.png

Live Coverage
Video - https://www.gsacsportsnetwork.com/azchristian/
Live Stats - https://acufirestorm.com/sidearmstats/msoc/summary

Arizona Christian
In 2022, the Firestorm experienced great success, amassing a conference record of 6-1-2, overall record of 10-3-5, and GSAC regular-season title… ACU begins at home where they were undefeated last season (5-0-2)… Midfielder Aiden Abbitt returns for the Firestorm after posting 6 goals and 6 assists last season… Goalkeeper Carlos Gallardo makes his senior debut, coming off a year with 6 shutouts, 58 saves, and an All-GSAC nod… Ted Krzywiecki continues leading ACU, now in his third year as head coach.

ACU Key Returners (2022 Stats)
Aiden Abbitt - 6 goals, 6 assists
Santiago Ballesteros - 5 goals, 3 assists
Kaden Grub - 5 goals, 3 assists
Washington Alves Jr. - 4 goals, 3 assists
Tiago Soares - Started 12 games, 1 goal, 1 assist
Carlos Gallardo - 6 shutouts, 58 saves, All-GSAC

Series Notes
Entering Tuesday's game, the Firestorm trail 4-12 all-time in their series with the Eagles. ACU has won four of the past six contests, dating back to 2016. The most recent matchup came last season, where ERAU defeated ACU 4-1 in Prescott.

The Firestorm have been perfect against the Park University-Gilbert Buccaneers, carrying a 4-0 record into Friday night. Their most recent meeting came last season, ACU defeating Park-Gilbert 2-1 in Mesa.

Coach Krzywiecki's Thoughts
"We have our hands full this week with two very strong CalPAC opponents that join the GSAC next year," Krzywiecki said. "ERAU is an NAIA national tournament team that returns multiple players who won their conference last year and only lost four games. Park Gilbert has a talented and physical group that will be a contender in the CalPAC… We have intentionally scheduled good opponents that have been in the National Tournament, are ranked, or are at the top end of their conferences. Our intention is always to push ourselves with the best competition we possibly can."

ERAU
The Eagles opened their 2023 campaign on August 19 with a dominant home win (6-0) over Providence (MT). ERAU rolled into the new season following a year where they won the Cal Pac Tournament, qualified for the NAIA National Tournament, and finished with an overall record of 16-4-1. Dan Balaguero steps into his sixth year as head coach of the Eagles.

Park-Gilbert
The Buccaneers traveled to Hope International for their season-opener on August 19, where they lost 4-1. In 2022, Park-Gilbert posted a 7-7-4 overall record and 4-5-3 Cal Pac record, struggling to three losses in their final four games. Jonas Tanzer is now embarking on his third season as head coach of the Buccaneers.

Roll Storm! 
Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

Tiago Soares

#9 Tiago Soares

D
6' 2"
Junior
Kaden Grub

#20 Kaden Grub

RB
5' 9"
Freshman
Carlos Gallardo

#28 Carlos Gallardo

GK
5' 7"
Junior
Santiago Ballesteros

#8 Santiago Ballesteros

F
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Tiago Soares

#9 Tiago Soares

6' 2"
Junior
D
Kaden Grub

#20 Kaden Grub

5' 9"
Freshman
RB
Carlos Gallardo

#28 Carlos Gallardo

5' 7"
Junior
GK
Santiago Ballesteros

#8 Santiago Ballesteros

6' 1"
Freshman
F