The American International College men's soccer team will travel to New Haven, Connecticut, to face Southern Connecticut State University on Tuesday.

For Yellow Jackets head coach Luke Perry, the matchup holds a bit more meaning - both he and assistant coach Julian Myers played collegiate soccer for the Owls.

"Playing against SCSU is always an exciting time," Perry said. "It's a game where myself and Coach Myers have a personal connection and it gives us that extra motivation and incentive to go out and get the win."

AIC comes off a week of promising play, first with a double-overtime win on Wednesday, September 21, when freshman Jake Durham scored the game-winning goal to come out with a 2-1 score over Franklin Pierce University. Then, on Saturday, despite a 2-1 loss, the Yellow Jackets had an inspiring showing against national No. 4 Southern New Hampshire University, becoming the first team to score against the Penmen all season.

With his overtime goal and an assist on Saturday, Durham became tied for the team lead with eight total points this season, alongside fellow freshman Nikola Popovich. Meanwhile, senior goalkeeper Sebastian Tamayo has been reliable in net, recording 12 total saves last week to bring his season save percentage to .763 and goals-against average to 1.49.

Last time the Owls and Yellow Jackets faced off, on September 29, 2015, the game ended in a 2-2 tie. This season, the Owls have posted a 3-3-1 record overall and a 1-2-1 mark in conference play. They are led by goalkeeper Noah Varonier, who has recorded a 0.95 goals-against average in seven starts this season. On offense, Alex Brown and Sabri Akter lead with two goals apiece.

The matchup against SCSU on Tuesday night provides a chance for AIC to build on its positive play and also bounce back from the result on Saturday, according to Perry.

"It's an important game for us and a good opportunity to put the disappointment of Saturday's game behind us," Perry said.