DBU (3-1-0) at NORTHEASTERN STATE (3-1-1) 
September 20 | 6:00 p.m. | Tahlequah, OK | DeLoache Field

MULTI-MEDIA COVERAGE
Video: MIAA Network
Live Stats: Sidearm Live Stats
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Facebook: DBU Athletics

LAST TIME OUT
DBU Men's Soccer extended their strong early-season form on Thursday night with a gritty 1-0 win on the road at Harding in Searcy, Arkansas. The decisive moment came in the 50th minute when newcomer Erik Oliveira netted his first goal as a Patriot, blasting a right-footed strike inside the bottom-left corner.

The first half proved to be a defensive battle, with DBU holding a narrow 6-5 edge in shots but unable to find the net before halftime. Oliveira's breakthrough shortly after the restart gave the Patriots all they would need, as the back line and goalkeeper Patrick Banich clamped down to record their second clean sheet of the year. Harding managed just five second-half attempts, none finding their way through, as DBU secured their third consecutive victory and best start to a season since 2019.

PATRIOT STORYLINES 
Chasing History: A win over Northeastern State would push DBU to 4-1, their best five-game start in program history.
Defensive Wall: The Patriots sit at No. 11 nationally in goals-against average (0.50).
Banich's Big Start: Goalkeeper Patrick Banich has two clean sheets in three starts, ranking eighth in the nation in goals-against average (0.33).
Locked In: Since their season-opening loss to UT Tyler, DBU has allowed just one goal in their last three matches.
Steady Larson: Senior midfielder Leo Larson is set to make his 51st career start, tying Ethan Unger (2021-2023) for sixth all-time in program history.
Shot Advantage: DBU is outshooting opponents by 5.3 shots per game, averaging 14.0 attempts per match.
Ironman Golden: Center back Jack Golden is the only Patriot to play all 360 minutes this season, with fellow defenders Cason Berg and Evan Lupo logging over 84 minutes per match.
Freshman Impact: Newcomer Caleb Centeno leads the team in goals (2), both scored in DBU's 2-1 win over UCCS.
Oliveira on the Attack: Erik Oliveira leads DBU with 10 shots this season.

SCOUTING NORTHEASTERN STATE
- The Riverhawks are out to a 3-1-1 start and are receiving votes in the latest United Soccer Coaches Top 25 poll.
- NSU enters Saturday's match riding a three-game win streak.
- The Riverhawks three wins have come against Lone Star Conference opponents, with a combined 4-1 scoring margin over Lubbock Christian, Midwestern State, and St. Edward's.
- The Riverhawks 58 percent shot accuracy ranks 15th nationally.
- Goalkeeper Cameron McCullough ranks 10th in the nation in save percentage (0.895) and 14th in goals against average (0.45).
- NSU's opponents are outshooting them by a margin of 2.6 shots per match.
- Carter Adams leads the team in points (5) with two goals and one assist.

SERIES HISTORY 
Northeastern State owns a 1-0-2 advantage in the all-time series. The two sides last met in Dallas in September, battling to a 1-1 draw. Their only previous matchup in Oklahoma came on September 14, 2023, when NSU claimed a 4-0 victory.

UP NEXT
DBU continues their road trip with a two-game swing through the Pacific Northwest, beginning Wednesday against Seattle Pacific. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. (CST).