JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The fourth-ranked Carson-Newman Eagles get set for their final non-conference game of the 2017 regular season when they head into Bristol, Tenn. to take on the King Tornado. Kick off on Wednesday is set for 3:30 p.m.
The Eagles come a 3-0 win over Tusculum on Oct. 18, giving the team a weeks' rest after having an off day on Saturday.
"It was a blessing in disguise to have the weekend off," Coach Duffy mentioned. "We have the opportunity to get reenergized for the end of the season and our training sessions on Monday had high intensity so it was good to see that."
Simon Duffy returns to the school where he spent the last six seasons guiding the Tornado women's soccer program to the Conference Carolinas Tournament each year.
"There are a lot of great people over there that I still admire having been there for six seasons," Duffy stated. "But it's important we go down and put on a professional performance. At this point in the season you can't afford to drop games and put yourself at risk in the regional rankings."
C-N clinched the SAC regular season title over the weekend for the third consecutive season, following Wingate's loss to Lenoir-Rhyne. The team recently set a program record with a 13-game unbeaten streak, but will look to finish the regular season the same way for the first time in program history, beginning with King in the first of the final two games.
"We've got goals for the season, and one of them was to win the regular season," Duffy added. "You have to enjoy the moments while you can, but I don't have to do a whole lot with the team when it comes to refocusing. They know what's next on the agenda, and it's a special group across the board with players who have been through it here the last few years."
King will look to collect their first win at home this season as well as their first win against Carson-Newman in the series history. Dating back to 2000, the Tornado are 0-13.
The Tornado are led by seniors Reagan Dempsey and Catherine Walsh who have combined for five of the team's eight goals on the year. Senior goalkeeper OIivia Drake is second in the league in saves with a total of 96. She has played every single minute of every game this season.
Following the release of the United Soccer Coaches National Poll, the Eagles jumped up one spot to No. 4. It marks the highest national ranking for the women's soccer program since the final poll of the 2005 season which also penned in the Eagles at four. The highest ranking in the history of C-N women's soccer came in the previous season of 2004 with an end of year rank at #3.
�� @CNWSoccer jumps to highest national ranking since the 2004 season. #TalonsUp pic.twitter.com/64kQPC6o5Y
— C-N Athletics (@CNathletics) October 24, 2017
The team remains #1 in the Southeast Regional Poll.
-CN-
