ANDERSON, S.C. - After beginning the season 2-0, Anderson University men's soccer may face its biggest test yet this season, as the Trojans host Young Harris on Sept. 11 in a matchup between two undefeated teams. Kickoff for AU's home opener is set for 4 p.m.
The Trojans
Featuring 18 newcomers, Anderson has been able to gel quickly and produce 11 goals in the first two matches of the season. Nine of the 11 goals scored have come from members of the team that were not on the 2012 squad, headlined by redshirt sophomore Andre Carle's hat trick in a 6-2 win over Erskine last Thursday. Freshman Paul von Hinueber, also a newcomer, currently ranks second on the team with one goal in each of the first two contests.
The experienced players on the roster are also contributing as junior Mattias Schyberg has four assists on the young season, including three against the Flying Fleet. Schyberg has posted at least two points in each game, getting in the goal column in the 5-1 win at Mount Olive.
The backline, led by returnee Lars Zimmerman, has also shined, allowing three goals, but controlling the pace of the matches. Goalkeepers Bo Haug and Devon Ashy each have tallied a victory, with Ashy getting the most recent victory over Mount Olive, making one save.
The Mountain Lions
After finishing the 2012 season with a 14-4-2 overall record and their highest ranking in the national poll of No. 6, the Mountain Lions were projected to finish second in the Peach Belt Conference in the annual preseason coaches' poll. YHC received three first-place votes and 68 points, but fell just short of conference favorite Lander which grabbed five first-place votes and 72 points. For 2013, the Lions return 14 players from their successful season in 2012.
This season, Young Harris has also gotten off to a fast start, grabbing two road wins over Nova Southeastern (2-1) and Barry (4-0). The goals have been spread throughout the roster, as junior forward Ilija Ilic currently leads the team in goals with two.
Ilic, along with fellow returnee Niall McCabe combined for 25 goals in 2012, headlined by McCabe's conference-leading 15 goals. This season, the duo combines for three of YHC's six goals on the season. Defensively, goalkeepers Jordan Bradshaw and Pedro Ozi have shared time with Ozi recording the shutout against Barry. Ozi leads the tandem with four saves on the year.
The Series
This will be the first time AU and Young Harris will meet since the 2010 season, when the Trojans routed the Lions with a 6-0 victory. The only current member of the Trojan roster to play against YHC is senior Stefan Veljovic who started the match in 2010. Currently, both teams are ranked in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II Southeast poll with the Mountain Lions slotted fifth and AU ranked sixth.
