ANDERSON, S.C. - Coming into the match with an undefeated record of 4-0, Anderson University men's soccer faces its toughest challenge of the season, as the Trojans head south to meet nationally ranked Flagler in a non-conference matchup on Tuesday at Cahall-Sanspur Field.
The Trojans
Anderson opened South Atlantic Conference action on Saturday with a
3-1 win over Catawba College at Trojan Stadium. Goals came from
Henrique Gazzi, Aaron Roberson and Andre Carle who notched his
conference-leading fourth goal of the season. With his four goals
and one assist, Carle also is tied with Lincoln Memorial's Mario
Pinto in points with nine for the year. Freshman Paul von Hinueber
also ranks in the top five in goals as he is tied with four other
players for third with three goals. The Hildesheim, Germany native
snapped his consecutive goal streak in the win against Catawba.
Head Coach John Murphy's team is off to its best start since 2009, their final season in Conference Carolinas. With AU's next win, it will match 2009's mark of beginning the season 5-0. The team also accomplished one of its goals for the season and that is to get off to a better start. Last season, the Trojans began the year with a 0-4-2 record before notching its first win. Despite the slow start, Anderson went on to win its third consecutive Food Lion SAC Championship.
Defensively, the Trojans have given up at least one goal in each match, but have given up an average 1.25 shots on goal for the season, compared to Anderson's average of 4.00 shots on goal. Freshman goalkeeper Bo Haug is 3-0 on the season, but is still seeking his first clean sheet of his collegiate career.
The Saints
Entering the weekend, Flagler was 2-0 and ranked No. 4 in the
NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division II Poll, but the Saints took
two back-to-back losses last weekend against nationally ranked
Rollins and Peach Belt Conference foe Francis Marion. The Tars took
a 3-2 lead into halftime and was able to hold off the Saints for
the final 45 minutes and took a 3-2 win. Against Francis Marion,
the Patriots took an early 2-0 lead and held on for the rest of the
match to win 3-1.
In 2012, Flagler earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament after falling in the semifinals of the PBC Tournament. After defeating UNC Pembroke in penalty kicks, the Saints were eventually eliminated by SAC member Wingate, 2-1.
In the annual Peach Belt Conference preseason coaches' poll, the Saints tied with Young Harris to finish second in the league, finishing the voting with 68 points and a first-place vote. Lander, who finished the poll with five first-place votes and 72 points, was projected to win the PBC.
The Series
Anderson and Flagler last met last season on Oct. 15 when the teams
played to a scoreless draw. The Saints outshot the Trojans 11-5,
but just four of Flagler's shots came on goal.
