ANDERSON, S.C. -Remaining unbeaten after a scoreless draw at Flagler, the No. 19 ranked Anderson University men's soccer team returns to its South Atlantic Conference schedule, as the Trojans host SAC newcomer Coker on Saturday. Kickoff from Trojan Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m.
The Trojans
Anderson moved to 4-0-1 on the season after its 0-0 tie with
Flagler on Tuesday, marking its first regular season scoreless draw
since AU met Flagler last season. Before the match on Tuesday, the
Trojans were announced as the No. 19 best team in the nation and
No. 3 in the Southeast region by the National Soccer Coaches
Association of America (NSCAA). AU trails conference foe Wingate,
which earned the top spot in the region, and Lander, which is
projected to win the Peach Belt Conference this year in the
Southeast region rankings.
Offensively, the Trojans have outscored their opponents 16-5 in the first five matches of the season. Redshirt sophomore Andre Carle leads the team with four goals, while freshman Paul von Hinueber closely follows with three of his own. von Hinueber started the season with a goal in each of the first three matches of the season.
Freshman goalkeeper Bo Haug continues to shine this season, entering Saturday with a 3-0-1 record. Haug has made 26 saves on the season and recorded his first collegiate shutout in the 0-0 draw at Flagler. The Stuttgart, Germany native has played in just under 392 and has allowed just four goals. In the latest statistical release by the NCAA, Haug ranked 15th in the nation in saves per game with an average of 6.33.
The Cobras
Coker comes into Saturday's matchup with back-to-back draws against
SAC foe Lincoln Memorial (2-2) and a Peach Belt Conference member
Francis Marion (0-0). Before the ties, Coker was 1-1 on the season
with a 1-0 victory over Clayton State, but a 4-0 road loss to
nationally ranked Tampa.
In the three goals Coker has scored for the season, senior forward Daniel Jackson leads the team with two goals. Junior midfielder Giouliano Andrade has the other tally on the year, as his goal was the game-winner against Clayton State. Junior Jordan Shell currently leads the Cobras with two assists.
Defensively, Coker has split time between two goalkeepers, as both Kyndle Cobb and Mark Nankervis have gotten two starts apiece in goal. Nankervis has the lone win on the year, but Cobb has the most saves between the duo with 11. With the Cobras not having a set starter, both goalkeepers could see action on Saturday.
The Series
Since 2009, Anderson and Coker have met twice and once as
Conference Carolinas members. Last season, the Trojans fell to the
Cobras 2-1 at Trojan Stadium after a late second half goal doomed
AU. Lars Zimmerman notched the lone Trojan goal in the match.
Saturday's matchup will mark the first time these two teams will
meet at members of the SAC.
