Soccer preview: AWC at Mesa

Arizona Western at Mesa

First kick: 4:30 p.m. today.

Last game: AWC made a statement in its season opener with a 7-0 win against Glendale. Mesa was trounced by Yavapai 12-0.

Records: AWC (1-0 overall, 1-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference); Mesa (0-1 overall, 0-1 ACCAC)

Player to watch: Abdel Becerra had his first hat trick as a Matador on Saturday. ... 2007 The Sun soccer All-Region Player of the Year Austin Williams of Yuma Catholic is a freshman midfielder for the T-Birds.

AWC coach Kenny Dale's comments: "My concern is the facility at Mesa is very narrow because it's a football stadium, and that's not conducive to an elegant game. It's easier to defend on a field like that, and so our speed may be compromised."

The lowdown: The Matadors' practice schedule yesterday was still up in the air as of Tuesday afternoon due to the power outage on campus. Mesa hired Andrew Guarneri as its new head coach on short notice. Dale said he was pleased with the Matadors' professionalism and discipline in Saturday's blowout win. With four road games over the next seven days, AWC will try some new lineups and combinations on the field against Mesa to give some players with minor injuries a break.