ANDERSON, S.C. - Riding the momentum of a three-match winning streak, Anderson University men's soccer jumps back into its nonconference schedule on Tuesday in search of a Beville Cup point, as the Trojans visit Erskine. Kick-off from Huggins Field is slated for 7 p.m.
The Trojans
All three of AU's victories during its current winning streak have
seen 3-2 scorelines, including Saturday's double-overtime triumph
at Lenoir-Rhyne. With the stretch of wins, the Trojans carry a
6-4-1 overall record into Due West on Tuesday as they search for
their first four-match winning streak since the 2013 season.
Senior midfielder Hodaka Yonezawa led the Black and Gold in goals last week, notching a goal in each of AU's victories. Yonezawa tallied the equalizer in the triumph over Newberry on Wednesday and followed that performance with the game-winning goal from the penalty spot against L-R on Saturday. The goals were Yonezawa's first tallies since transferring to AU before his junior season. Teammates Andre Carle, Brad Du Plooy, Lars Kaula and Greyson Frye also notched goals in Anderson's undefeated week.
Defensively, redshirt junior Devon Ashy continues to see every minute in goal for the Trojans this season, as Ashy totaled eight saves in the two victories last week. Ashy currently leads the South Atlantic Conference in saves with 55 and ranks fifth in save percentage with a .753 mark.
The Flying Fleet
Erskine has struggled this season, entering Tuesday's matchup on a
four-match winless streak, totaling just one point in the stretch.
Overall, the Flying Fleet boasts a 3-6-2 and search for their first
victory since Sept. 22 when they knocked off North Greenville, 3-2,
in a Conference Carolinas contest. Despite its record, Erskine has
scored at least one goal in 10 of the team's 11 matches this
season.
EC's Ross Henderson and Joe O'Neill pace the team in the goals category, scoring three apiece this season. Henderson tallied Erskine's only goal in its last match to tie O'Neill in the goal category, as the Fleet fell to in-state rival Limestone, 3-1, on Saturday. Teammates Luke Boyce and Jake Lochstampfor follow with two goals apiece.
Goalkeeper CJ Cluck has seen over 989 minutes played between the posts for the Fleet this season, as he leads Conference Carolinas in saves with 62. Cluck headlined his season on Saturday by tallying the assist on Henderson's goal against Limestone on Saturday.
The Series
Anderson has tallied at least a point in its last three meetings
with its archrival. Within the stretch, the Trojans have captured
victories in their last two matchups, including a narrow 1-0 win at
Trojan Stadium in 2014. Being on the opposite end in the last two
contests, Erskine seeks its first win over AU since a 2-0 win in
2011.
