ANDERSON, S.C. - Unable to come away with a result in its opening two matches of the season, Anderson University men's soccer begins its South Atlantic Conference schedule on Saturday when it heads north to Catawba. Kickoff from E.B. Frock Field is slated for 7:30 p.m.
The Trojans
As AU visited Florida for its first two matches of the 2014 season,
the Trojans came up empty against nationally-ranked Rollins, 3-1,
and Peach Belt Conference foe Flagler, 4-0. Saturday's match will
close Anderson's longest road trip to begin a season since the 2011
season when it opened the year with two road contests and two
neutral site matches.
Anderson's lone goal of the season came from sophomore Brad Du Plooy, who gave the Black and Gold a brief 1-0 lead against the Tars on Sept. 4. Despite the one-goal advantage, Rollins stormed back and scored three unanswered second half goals to earn the 3-1 victory. Junior defender Lars Zimmerman claimed the assist on the Du Plooy goal.
Sophomores Bo Haug and Devon Ashy both earned starts on the Florida road trip as Haug made three saves in the season opener, while Ashy corralled one shot against the Saints.
The Indians
Catawba recorded its first victory of 2014 on Wednesday when it
knocked off Barton, 3-2, at E.B. Frock Field. Prior to the narrow
victory over the Bulldogs, the Indians were held scoreless by
Lees-McRae, 1-0, and Francis Marion, 2-0. Saturday's matchup will
mark the fourth of five straight home matches for the Indians to
open up the campaign.
Three different Indians scored against the Bulldogs on Wednesday, capped off by Preseason All-Conference Second Team honoree Kenny Bonilla's 58th minute goal, which would be the eventual game-winner. Bonilla led the Catawba offense in 2013 after tying for the team-high in goals with seven while leading the club in points with 16.
Catawba has failed to post a win over Anderson since AU joined the SAC prior to the start of the 2010 season. After a 3-1 win by the Black and Gold a season ago, Anderson improved to 3-0-1 against the Indians, while outscoring them 14-5 in those matches.
