ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University men's soccer team has released their schedule for the upcoming 2022 season.
Head Coach Michael Zion is entering his ninth season leading the program, coming off a 12-4-2 season in which the Trojans reached the South Atlantic Conference semifinals. Overall, Zion is 72-49-13 in his tenure including a 39-30-13 clip in a highly competitive SAC.
"We want to lift a trophy," said head coach Michael Zion. "That's the goal and that's what we have set out to achieve when we started working in January for the 2022 season. The SAC is incredibly challenging and the margin for error is very small when it comes to finishing at the top. We will have to be at our best to obtain our goals and consistency will be key. This team has a lot of talent and with the right mentality, it is our hope that we can do something special this season. With a strong core of the team returning and a talented recruiting class joining us, we are looking forward to the challenges ahead and getting this season started!"
Alexandre Cox-Ashwood had an historic 2021 season in which he tallied 13 goals with four assists. He was First-Team All-SAC, United Soccer Coaches All-Region, All-Region Scholar Team, National Player of the Week, D2CCA Southeast All-Region Team, and Anderson University Male Athlete of the Year. At the conclusion of the season, Cox-Ashwood signed a professional contract with the Greenville Triumph soccer club.
The Trojans were ranked as high as No. 15 in the United Soccer Coaches National Poll last season and had a winning streak as high as seven games. Anderson went 6-1-1 in the month of October and had a record of 7-1-1 at Spero Financial Field.
"We love playing at home," said Zion. "I think the team would all agree that we prefer to play at home and in front of our own fans. We have an unbelievable facility as well, so naturally I think we have a lot of pride when it comes to playing at home and defending Trojan Stadium. 10 times though out the regular season, is exciting. We are hoping to create an exciting atmosphere this season and look forward to sharing some memorable moments with everyone."
Anderson will open the campaign at home against Nova-Southeastern, who was ranked third in the final United Soccer Coaches national poll after a run to the NCAA Final Four a season ago. It will be the first of two matchups against foes from the Sunshine State Conference, as Anderson will take on Barry University two days later Saturday August 27. Mount Olive (Sept. 3) and at Erskine (Oct. 15) conclude the non-conference schedule. The 2022 season will mark the first match-up between the Anderson Trojans and the Emory & Henry Wasps as members of the South Atlantic Conference.
"Overall, I think we have put together a challenging schedule for the team this year," said Zion. "The non-conference schedule includes two strong SSC opponents (Nova and Barry) who we will open the season with, in August. This will be Anderson's first time playing either team, so it will be exciting to see how we match up. In our other two non-conference matches, we will face two familiar CC opponents. We will take on Mount Olive in the beginning of September and then travel to our cross-town rival, Erskine later in the season. The schedule includes five out of the 10, Super Region-2 teams, that qualified for the 2021 NCAA National Tournament."
The Trojans will open the scrimmages and exhibition part of their schedule at home on Friday August 12 at 7:00 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. On Wednesday August 17th they will travel to Charlotte, N.C. to take on the Queens Royals who are now members of the Atlantic Sun Conference of NCAA Division I. The last tune-up before the regular season will be Saturday August 20th at home against Young Harris of the Peach Belt Conference.
