STATESBORO, Ga. - The Georgia Southern men's soccer program welcomes in Jacksonville University for a 7 p.m. non-conference match on Wednesday, finally getting on the pitch to play after their originally scheduled date was postponed due to Hurricane Irma.

The Dolphins (0-6) were slated to take part in the Coastal Empire Challenge with Georgia Southern (4-4) on the weekend of Sept. 8-10, but the onset of Irma forced the Eagles to make adjustments to the schedule. Now, JU returns to take on the Eagles and renew a series that has been a very competitive one for both schools.

"It's a good regional rivalry that's been going on for many years," Head Coach John Murphy said. "Unfortunately, the game had to be postponed earlier, but fortunately we both worked hard to find a free date that worked for the both of us, and it'll be good to welcome them to Statesboro."

The Eagles are looking to get back on the winning track after seeing their three-game winning streak halted by Mercer on Saturday. The 2-1 setback to the Bears was also the eighth straight one-goal match Georgia Southern has played this season. 

Jacksonville enters the match seeking its first win, but the Dolphins have been in every match this year, including dropping a tight 1-0 decision to preseason Atlantic Sun Conference favorite Florida Gulf Coast on the road Saturday. Four of the six matches played by the Dolphins have been one-goal affairs.

Last season, the two teams met in Jacksonville, and the home-standing Dolphins picked up a 3-0 win over the Eagles. JU leads the overall series between the two teams, 13-7-3, but the home team has won the last five meetings in the series, dating back to 2012.

"Teams can change from year to year, but they usually reflect the coach's philosophy and mindset," Murphy said. "[JU Head Coach] Mauricio Ruiz has done a great job since he has taken over at Jacksonville, his teams are always well prepared and ready to go."

After the match, the Eagles have an extended layoff before diving back into Sun Belt play on Oct. 7th against rival Georgia State, but Coach Murphy insists his team's full attention is on the Dolphins.

"We're just focusing at the game at hand," Murphy said. "Playing at this level, every game is a challenge. Every opponent is worthy of our full concentration until that game is over."

Saturday's match will be broadcast live on True Blue TV. Fans coming to the game are also encouraged to bring Hurricane relief items as Georgia Southern is collecting items through October to help victims of the recent storms in Texas, Florida and all over the Southeast.