ANDERSON, S.C. - After an impressive 2013 season, Anderson University men's soccer begins its grueling 2014 spring schedule that features four Division I teams, beginning with a trip to Clemson on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., followed by a visit to Furman on Saturday at 1 p.m.
On Wednesday, Anderson will begin the evening with a match against Clayton State at 5:45 p.m., followed by the showdown with the Tigers at 7:30 p.m.
The Trojans are coming off a 12-win season when they advanced to their fourth straight South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship. Despite falling in the tournament final for the first time, AU advanced to the NCAA Tournament where it was eliminated by NCAA Tournament Runner-Up, Carson-Newman, 3-2. Throughout the season, Anderson posted a 7-0-1 record for non-conference games, including a 4-0-1 mark against Peach Belt Conference opponents.
Clemson closed the 2013 season with an 11-7-3 record and advanced to the opening round of NCAA Division I Tournament, falling to Elon on penalty kicks. Anderson and Clayton State will be the only two Division II teams the Tigers will face this spring as CU will also square off with two professional teams in the Charleston Battery and the Atlanta Silverbacks.
Furman posted an 11-5-2 overall record a season ago, falling in the Southern Conference semifinals to Wofford, ending its 2013 campaign. Last season, the Paladins placed five on the All-SoCon squad, headlined by Freshman of the Year Bobby Edet who scored seven goals and dished out one assist for the regular season.
FU is one of most recognized programs in the countries and has sent several players to the professional ranks such as Clint Dempsey, Alec Kann, Shea Salinas and Walker Zimmerman.
Anderson continues its spring slate with a trip to Mercer on March 22, followed by the Anderson Spring Tournament on April 5, hosted at Trojan Stadium. The Trojans end the spring on the road at UNC Greensboro on April 12.
