CLEVELAND-The Delta State University Statesmen and Lady Statesmen soccer teams will open Gulf South Conference play on Friday, as they will host Ouachita Baptist in a GSC doubleheader, beginning at 1 p.m. at Delta Field.

The Lady Statesmen enter play with a record of 3-4. With the exception of a 4-1 home win over Alcorn State, all games have been decided by only one goal. "We certainly hope Ouachita does not get to many chances, that is what we have been fairly good at. We haven't given up many goals," said Delta State assistant coach John Constable.

Payten Pearson is the leading goal scorer for DSU, with two, and the Lady Statesmen coaching staff will look to the freshman for a spark. "As long as she comes out ready to work for the team, and her teammates, we are confident that she can cause any defender she plays against problems," Constable added. 

Ouachita Baptist (3-3, 0-1) are no strangers to finding the back of the net. In three wins, the Lady Tigers have scored 16 goals, but in their three losses, they have been outscored 7-0.

OBU will be led by forward Beth Wendl. The Plano, Texas native has already tallied five goals and seven assists in 2010.

OBU keeper Whitley Hoppe will be countered by Lady Statesmen keeper Faith Wright. Wright has averaged only one goal against in her six starts.

Meanwhile, the Statesmen will have a tough task, as the Ouachita Baptist Tigers enter play ranked no. 6 in the NSCAA South Regional Rankings for the first time in school history.

OBU (4-2) defeated no. 7 Palm Beach Atlantic in non-conference action on Sept. 6.

"It is going to be a tough game, no doubt about it. If you have beaten Harding 4-1 you're a pretty good team. We will need to be ready," added Constable.

The Statesmen (2-5) will be led by mid-fielder Adam Brundle, who leads the team with two goals, along with a solid backline in front of keeper Flavio Romero.

Romero has averaged two goals against per contest, while OBU keeper Grayson Townsend allows just over one goal per contest.

The Tigers will also be led by reigning Gulf South Conference Player-of-the-Week Rizvan Ceka, who leads OBU with four goals.

The Statesmen had won two straight games for the first time since 2008, before falling 1-0 to Freed-Hardeman.

Kickoff for the GSC doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone is encouraged to attend.