BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Riding a 3-match win streak, Campbell travels to Big South rival Liberty Friday for a 7:00 p.m. kick-off.
The contest marks the fourth-straight league road match to start the conference season for Campbell (7-2-1, 2-1-0 Big South). After suffering a 2-1 setback at Radford on Sept. 22 in its league opener, Campbell defeated Longwood (1-0) and VMI (3-2) last week.
Campbell is coming off a 3-0 victory Tuesday over Virginia Tech at the Eakes Athletic Complex. Mitchell Cardenas had a goal and two assists, while sophomore Jhuvon Francis scored twice, including his second-straight game-winner. Freshman Isaiah Page added two assists.
Cardenas entered the week ranked 5th in the country in assists before adding two more Tuesday night against the Hokies and now has 8 (second-most in the Big South) through 10 matches. The senior midfielder from Mexico City rates 3rd among conference leaders with 16 points (4 goals, 8 assists).
Sophomore Ricki Gaez is tied for 9th among league leaders with 10 points (4G, 2A). Junior keeper Ethan Hall stands 2nd in the Big South in both save percentage (.827) and shutouts (5), while rating 3rd in goals-against average (0.88).
The Camels are 4-2-1 on the road this year, but have won their last two away from the Eakes Complex, where they own a 3-0 mark. Overall, CU has outscored its foes by a 17-9 margin, 15-6 in the second half.
Liberty (2-6, 1-1) meanwhile, is 0-4 at home this season and has dropped its last 3 games overall. The Flames defeated Longwood 3-0 last month in their Big South opener, but fell to nationally-ranked Coastal Carolina 3-0 to drop to .500 in league play.
Most recently, Liberty suffered a 3-0 loss last Saturday at home to Southern Conference member Wofford.
Keeper Scott Sutarik owns a 1.92 goals-against average, while Greg White and Sam Duininck pace the attack with 2 goals apiece. Liberty has been outscored 16-7 through 8 matches.
In last year's 3-1 Campbell victory over the Flames at Buies Creek, Cardenas scored in the 16th and 61st minutes, while setting up Francis' 18th-minute goal.
Following Friday's contest at Lynchburg, Va., Campbell opens a 4-match home stand next Wed. (Oct. 10) against 16th-ranked Coastal Carolina.
