07/15/2010 9:59 AM - By: Cody Poteat

AUSTIN, Texas (www.austinaztex.com) -- Recapturing their scoring form from the first half of the season is one of the main goals for the Austin Aztex when they take on AC St. Louis at 7:30 on Saturday at House Park.

The top scoring team in the league has gone through a recent slump, but have still come out with positive results and feel confident that they will catch their scoring stride once again.

Austin has relied on a stingy defense to help them keep a four-game league unbeaten streak alive. The Aztex defense has only given up four goals in the last six games despite missing some key parts.

During the six-game stretch, Aztex defenders Leonard Griffin and Jay Needham each missed games forcing the Aztex to rely on their backline depth to help earn results.

The Aztex will certainly need to be sharp in both aspects of the game in order to knock off AC St. Louis (3-8-4), who have not lost a match in their last three games and have only lost one in their last six games.

AC St. Louis currently sits in last place in both the NASL Conference and the league, but have accumulating six points since hiring new Head Coach Dale Schilly on June 25.

The match will certainly be an intriguing one as it pits the league’s top team in Austin versus one of the league’s hottest teams in St. Louis.

Austin and St. Louis have met before this season, which resulted in a 2-1 win for the Aztex in St. Louis' first-ever home game. The Aztex held the advantage in both shots (8-5) and corners (6-0) in that game and used a second half goal by Leonard Griffin to earn the victory.

Three points separates the NASL Conference-leading Vancouver Whitecaps from the USL Conference-leading Aztex, who also have a game in hand. Austin will be looking to increase its league lead back to six with a victory against AC St. Louis.

Saturday night is Hawaiian Night at House Park, where leis will be given out to the first 400 fans in attendance. Also a handful of lucky Aztex fans will be asked to participate in the Hula Hoop contest at haltime.

The 7:30 p.m. kickoff will be streamed live on www.austinaztex.com. Be sure to tune in and check out all the Aztex action as they look to continue their pursuit of a first place finish in the USSF D-2 Pro League.


Game Notes:

Series Matchup
Austin is 1-0 all-time against AC St. Louis, who is in its first year in the USSF D-2 Pro League. Austin beat AC St. Louis 2-1 on April 17 -- the first game played at Anheuser-Busch Stadium.

Back in Action
It took one month, but Lance Watson’s hamstring finally healed. Last match marked the first start for Watson since June 5. Austin also welcomes back starting center back Jay Needham, who was forced to sit out the Aztex last match against Rochester due to food poisoning.

Stuck on 0
Friday’s 0-0 draw was only Austin’s second scoreless draw in franchise history. The first was on June 9 against Portland.

Night Owls
Austin is 3-1-4 when starting at 7:30 p.m. this season and 6-1-4 on odd-numbered days.

And Then There Were Two
Miguel Gallardo and Yordany Alvarez are now the last two players on the team to compete in every minute of every game this season.

Spreading the Goals
AC St. Louis has 11 goals this year from nine different players.

Injury Update
Aztex defender Kieron Bernard (groin) has been listed as questionable for Saturday’s matchup with AC St. Louis, while Stephan Campbell remains out with a hamstring injury.

What’s Next?
After the match against AC St. Louis, the Aztex only have two week gap before they square off against their rivals Miami FC on July 31 at 7:30 p.m. at House Park. The winner of Austin versus Miami will be given the Willie Nelson guitar. This guitar has become a traveling trophy of sorts for this winner of each match between Austin and Miami.

Tickets for Ladies Night against Miami FC on July 31, as well as flex tickets are available now. All proceeds from the silent auction, along with donations, will go to the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Texas during the July 31 match. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.austinaztex.com, call 512-335-8881 or visit your local H-E-B.