Men’s Soccer Travels to Spartanburg for SoCon/Big South Challenge
8/30/2012 3:46:52 PM | Men's Soccer
// LIVE STATS - GSU v. WINTHROP // LIVE STATS - GSU v. GARDNER-WEBB //
STATESBORO, Ga. – Georgia Southern’s Men’s Soccer looks for its first win of the season this weekend with a trip to the SoCon/Big South Challenge, hosted by Wofford. The Eagles face Winthrop on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. and close the weekend against Gardner-Webb at 1 p.m. on Sunday.
Southern opened its 2012 season last Sunday against No. 21 UAB. The Blazers got a goal before and after the halftime interval, but a tally from freshman Reed Norton put the Eagles back within striking distance. Despite having a man-advantage for the final 15 minutes of the match, the Eagles were unable to score the equalizer.
The Eagles out-shot UAB in the match 14-9 with seven of the shots coming from the freshman, Norton. He played 71 minutes in his collegiate debut
Winthrop enters Friday’s battle of the Eagles with a 1-0 record after taking a 4-1 win over Brevard College last Friday. The Eagles scored all their goals in the second half following a nervy opening period against the Division II opponent. A year ago, Winthrop scored 19 goals while tallying seven wins and are without the services of leading goalscorer Alex Mantchev who scored five goals in 2011.
Sunday’s opponent, Gardner-Webb is yet to score its first goal of the season entering the weekend’s play. The Runnin’ Bulldogs dropped a 4-0 decision last Saturday at No. 1 North Carolina before falling 3-0 to No. 20 Furman in the home opener. The Bulldogs return eight starters from last year’s squad and were picked to finish fifth in the Big South Preseason Coaches’ Poll following a second place showing a year ago.
Georgia Southern returns to Statesboro next weekend for the 2012 home opener at Eagle Field. GSU faces North Florida on Saturday, September 8th at 4 p.m. before facing Mercer two days later on Monday, September 10th at 4 p.m.
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