DBU (2-1-0) at HARDING (1-2-1) 
September 18 | 7:00 p.m. | Searcy, AR | Stevens Soccer Complex

MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE
Video: Harding Sports Network
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
X: @DBUMensSoccer
Instagram: @dbumenssoccer
Facebook: DBU Athletics

LAST TIME OUT
Freshman Caleb Centeno delivered a breakout performance, striking twice to lift DBU past UCCS, 2-1, in a hard-fought win over the preseason Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference favorite. Centeno provided both Patriot goals, including the decisive finish in the 67th minute, while the DBU defense stood tall down the stretch to seal the victory and push the team to 2-1 on the year.

The Patriots opened the scoring in the 38th minute when Centeno unleashed a thunderous shot from outside the box that found the top right corner. Carrying a 1-0 lead into the break, DBU held the momentum after outshooting the Mountain Lions, 9-3, in the first half.

UCCS pulled level in the 61st minute on a strike from Cameron Radeke, but DBU had an answer just six minutes later. A slick build-up from Chase Turcotte and Zachary Trimming set the stage, with Trimming's crafty back-heel flick springing Centeno, who calmly slotted home the go-ahead goal inside the left post.

From that point, the Patriots leaned on their back line. Despite being outshot 12-5 after halftime, defenders Cason Berg, Jack Golden, and Evan Lupo—along with goalkeeper Patrick Banich—turned in a gritty defensive effort. Banich delivered a career-best six saves, including multiple clutch stops in the closing minutes, to secure the win and complete an unbeaten homestand.

PATRIOT STORYLINES 
Fast Start on the Line: DBU is seeking their first 3-1 start to a season through four matches since 2021.
Road Warriors: The Patriots begin a four-game road trip Thursday at Harding, playing in Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Washington over the next two weeks.
Milestone Moment for Larson: Senior midfielder Leo Larson will make his 50th career start, moving within one of tying Ethan Unger (2021-2023) for sixth-most in program history.
Lockdown Defense: DBU ranks second in the Lone Star Conference in goals against average, allowing just 0.67 goals per match.
Firing Away: The Patriots are outshooting opponents by 5.3 shots per game, averaging 14.3 per contest.
Banich Between the Pipes: Goalkeeper Patrick Banich leads the LSC in save percentage (90%) with nine saves in his first two starts.
Ironman Golden: Redshirt junior center back Jack Golden is the only Patriot to play all 270 minutes this season. 
Rising Star: With two goals versus UCCS, freshman Caleb Centeno leads the team with four points.
Shot Leaders: Caden Berg and Erik Oliveira pace the team with seven shots apiece.

SCOUTING HARDING
- The Bisons are coming off a 2-0 road loss to William Jewell last Friday, dropping to 1-2-1 on the year.
- Harding entered the 2025 season picked to finish seventh in the Great American Conference.
- The Bisons are conceding a goal per match and have scored three goals across four contests.
- Harding averages 10.3 shots per game compared to 10.5 by their opponents.
- Nojus Grudis, a sophomore forward from Lithuania, leads the team with two goals.
- Goalkeeper Rinner Stewart has saved 83 percent of shots on goal and his 5.0 saves per game is tops in the GAC.

SERIES HISTORY 
DBU leads the all-time series 3-0-2. Last year, the teams tied 1-1 in Dallas. This is their first meeting in Searcy, Arkansas, since 2015, with DBU holding a 1-0-1 record on the road against Harding.

UP NEXT
The Patriots continue their road trip Saturday in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, with a 6:00 p.m. kickoff against Northeastern State.