ANDERSON, S.C. - Snapping a three-match winless streak on Saturday, Anderson University men's soccer continues its South Atlantic Conference schedule on Wednesday when it travels to Newberry. Kickoff from the Smith Road Complex is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
The Trojans
A first-half Lars Zimmerman goal was all AU needed as the Trojans
went on to pick up their fourth victory of the 2014 season over
Tusculum on Saturday. On Wednesday, Anderson has a chance to even
up its overall record and improve to 5-5 with a win. The possible
three points could also move AU two matches above .500, as it
currently sits in a tie for third in the league standings, joining
Lenoir-Rhyne, Mars Hill and Queens in the logjam.
Despite the third place position, the Trojans' attack is one of three SAC teams with 10 or fewer goals on the season. Ranking 10th in the conference, Anderson has scored eight goals on the year, as five of them have come in conference matches propelling the Trojans to the 3-2 record. Junior forward Andre Carle continues to pace the offense with team-highs in goals (3), assists (2), points (8) and shots (25). Carle and teammate Alex Delpy assisted Zimmerman's game-winning goal on Saturday.
Zimmerman joins three other Trojans with goals on the year as freshman Magnus Larsen leads the quartet with two goals. Sophomores Brad Du Plooy and Aaron Roberson round out AU's goal scorers on the year.
Sophomore goalkeeper Bo Haug posted his fourth shutout and fourth victory of the season on Saturday, notching three saves in 90 minutes. Haug has made 20 saves and ranks fifth in the league in goals-against average (1.22).
The Wolves
After closing the month of September on a two-match winning streak,
Newberry enters the midweek matchup on a two-match losing streak,
suffering back-to-back conference setbacks to Brevard and Queens
last week. With the two-match skid, the Wolves carry a 4-5-1
overall record with an even 2-2-1 mark in league play. With their
seven points, Newberry is currently slotted in a tie for seventh
with Lincoln Memorial and Coker.
Defensively, Newberry has allowed the second most goals in the conference, as it is one of three teams to give up 20 or more goals this season with 21. On the opposite side, the Wolves rank eighth in goals scored with 11 as five players have scored two goals on the year. Junior Lucas Ferrira leads the offense with 23 shots on the year.
In goal, senior Nick Lucida has played in every minute for Newberry and has notched a league-leading 50 saves. Lucido picked up his first shutout of the year in a 1-0 triumph over in-state rival North Greenville on Sept. 17.
The Series
Since joining the SAC prior to the 2010 season, Anderson is a
perfect 4-0 against its in-state rivals, highlighted by a 3-2
victory a season ago. Carle scored twice in the victory as all the
contest's goals came in the final 45 minutes of action. With the
winning streak in hand, Newberry is searching for its first point
against the Trojans since the 2007 season.
