ANDERSON, S.C. - Scoring an unprecedented 20 goals through the first three matches of the season, Anderson University women's soccer concludes a four-match nonconference stretch by welcoming Young Harris to Trojan Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is slated for 1 p.m.
The Trojans
With its three straight wins, AU is off to its best start since the
2010 team opened the year with three straight victories. Within the
winning streak, the Trojans are out-scoring their opponents, 20-1,
and out-shooting those teams, 93-14. With their 93 shots, the Black
and Gold currently leads the South Atlantic Conference by 40 over
second place, Lenoir-Rhyne.
Six different players have scored goals for Anderson this season, with junior Idoia Agirre leading the way eight, scoring at least two goals in every match thus far. Following last week's NSCAA National Player of the Week is freshman Kenzie Van Heusen who has scored two goals in every match on the year, headlined by a six-point evening against Erskine on Wednesday. Fellow newcomer Marie Yasmine Alidou, added her name to the list of scorers with her first hat trick with the Black and Gold to lead AU to a 9-0 rout over the Flying Fleet.
Defensively, the Trojans have totaled a pair of shutouts on the year, as all three goalkeepers on the roster saw action on Wednesday. Freshman Abby Helm was credited with her third win of the year, while junior Sadie Lancaster and freshman Bianca Porras sealed the clean sheet by splitting time in the second half.
The Mountain Lions
Despite the majority of the nation opening their respective seasons
last week, Young Harris comes to Trojan Stadium without a
regular-season match under their belts. The Mountain Lions
participated in their final preseason scrimmage on Aug. 25 against
Lees-McRae and have not seen the pitch since.
Prior to the start of the season, YHC was projected to finish 11th in the annual Peach Belt Conference Coaches' Preseason Poll. The Mountain Lions closed the 2014 campaign with a 6-10 overall record with a 3-8 mark in conference action, as they seek their first winning season since 2011.
Last season, despite posting just six victories, the Mountain Lions out-scored their opponents, 31-30. Sophomore Carly Rich returns to the YHC lineup after successful 2014 year where she led the team in goals with six and ranked second in points with 15.
In goal, sophomore Arielle Charles is the projected starter after earning starts in 15 matches a season ago. Charles closed the year with 95 saves and a clean sheet.
The Series
This is the first meeting between Anderson and Young Harris, as the
Trojans look to snap an eight-match setback streak to PBC
opponents. AU's last victory against a PBC school came on Sept. 12,
2011 when the Black and Gold claimed a 2-1 win over USC Aiken.
