Interview: Head Coach Simon Duffy
Jefferson City, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Women's Soccer team kicks off the 2017 campaign with two home games this weekend, as they look to prove they will win the South Atlantic Conference title after being voted No. 1 by the league's coaches earlier this week.
"Looked at it, that was it," said first year head coach Simon Duffy. "It is what it is. I've seen over my time as a coach teams at six or seven go on and win it. But it's a close knit team here. The girls are really supporting each other and we're excited to get going."
The Eagles open with GLIAC (Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) opponent Ferris State on Sept. 1. Friday will mark the first time in its program history that C-N will go toe to toe with a GLIAC opponent.
"For the first game, you can try and look at video from last year but teams change so much, even style of play and formation," said Duffy of Ferris State. "Coming in it's going to be a very good test for us, we're really going to focus on ourselves and be the best form that we can be as a team."
The Bulldogs are coming off a 6-8-4 record last season and were picked to finish fourth in its 10-team league. Like C-N, Ferris State had a stellar defense in 2016 holding opponents to just 20 goals all season, and recording nine shutouts. On the flip side, the Bulldogs tallied just 17 goals as a team.
The Eagles will turn right around and host Georgia College two days later on Sunday, Sept. 3 at 1:00 p.m.
"It doesn't matter who the opponent is, when you open up with two home games you want to make sure you put your best foot forward," added Duffy. "Really looking forward to getting it going and starting off the season positive this weekend."
Ferris State was winless on the road in 2016 ending the year with a record of 0-6-3. C-N rides a 14-game home winning streaking in the regular season, and looks to improve on its 9-4-2 record in home openers.
Kickoff on Friday vs. the Bulldogs is set for 6:00 p.m.
-CN-
