ANDERSON, S.C. - After a come-from-behind 2-1 win at Newberry on Wednesday, Anderson University men's soccer returns to the Upstate for a home matchup against South Atlantic Conference foe Lenoir-Rhyne for an unusual Friday matchup. Kickoff from Trojan Stadium is slated for 4:30 p.m.
The Trojans
The season of streaks continue for AU as it opened the season with
a two-match setback streak, followed by a three-match winning
streak. After their three straight wins, the Trojans dropped three
straight and now currently ride a two-match winning streak as it
enters Friday with an even 5-5 overall record. Despite the .500
record, Anderson holds a 4-2 mark in conference play and is even
with Mars Hill for second place in the league standings.
Freshman Magnus Larsen scored the game-winning goal on Wednesday at Newberry for his third goal of the season. With the goal, Larsen joins fellow attacker Andre Carle for the team-lead in goals scored as the tandem combine for 48 of AU's 113 shots on the season. Larsen and Carle are currently tied for 10th in the conference with their three goals on the year, while Carle is 13th in points with eight adding his two assists.
Sophomore Bo Haug is responsible for AU's five victories on the season, while making 24 saves and posting a 1.19 goals-against average. Haug has played in over 829 minutes this season while his four shutouts rank second in the conference.
The Bears
Lenoir-Rhyne seeks its first win of October as it comes to Trojan
Stadium with a 3-6-2 record on the year with an even 3-3 mark in
conference play. The Bears are on a three-match winless streak, as
they have dropped their last two contests to Carson-Newman and Mars
Hill by a combined score of 6-0. With its 3-3 SAC record, LR is
currently in fifth place in the conference standings, as it joined
by in-state rival, Queens.
Senior Ben Jones, who was named to the Preseason All-SAC First Team, leads the Lenoir-Rhyne offense with three goals, four assists and 25 shots on the year. Jones is joined by newcomer Leon Mueller-Wiesen in the goals category, as the freshman also has three goals to his credit while ranking second on the team in points with eight.
Freshman goalkeeper Jorge Hernandez has earned the majority of the minutes for the Bears in goal, accumulating over 923 minutes played. Hernandez has posted one shutout on the year, while making 45 saves which ranks fourth in the SAC.
The Series
Last season, Anderson and Lenoir-Rhyne played to a 1-1 draw,
marking the first tie in the series since AU joined the SAC in
2010. Since the move, the Trojans hold a 4-1-1 record against their
Tar Heel State rivals, including two conference tournament
victories in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
