JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – 150 days after wrapping up a spring campaign, head coach Simon Duffy and the Carson-Newman women's soccer program are primed and ready to kick off the fall on Thursday. The Eagles welcome in the North Georgia Nighthawks on Sept. 2 for a 3:00 p.m. kickoff from McCown Field at Wayne and Beth Harvey Stadium.
Thursday marks the beginning of the fall for both programs after wrapping up respective spring campaigns. In their last time on the pitch in April, Carson-Newman squared off in the SAC Quarterfinals against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in Hickory, N.C. On that day, it would be the Bears taking a slim 1-0 victory and moving on before eventually being named the spring 2021 SAC Tournament champions.
"I'm just excited to get out there with the team we have. We had a couple preseason games in the last weeks, but I know there is no need for any additional motivation, or coach pep talk because these girls are ready and excited to get back out," Duffy said. "It's so nice to have the girls returning from last year plus we add three freshman who should help push our team forward."
When the Eagles and Nighthawks kickoff, it will mark the earliest regular-season game in the Fall for C-N since 2018 when the program started off the year with a 2-0 loss to West Florida in the CSU Collegiate Invitational on August 31. The last time the Eagles started off back-to-back fall seasons with a home match were the 2008 and 2009 seasons when C-N took a 3-1 win over Chowan in 2008 and a 3-0 victory over King (Tenn.) in 2009.
In their season openers under Duffy, the Eagles have been outscored 5-3 but in home openers, their margin is 13-3.
During the spring, Duffy led the team to a 4-3 finish after playing a four-team pod-style with Lincoln Memorial, Tusculum, and Mars Hill. In the shortened spring season, C-N was still able to lead the SAC in goals scored (18) and assists (15) while also being in the top-three for shots (106), shot percentage (.170), shots per game (17.7), and shots on goal (59) for offensive categories during SAC matchups. Meanwhile, C-N's defense stifled opponents to two shutouts, a .131 goals-against-average, eight goals, and 30 saves over seven contests.
Of the 18 goals scored by the Eagles in the spring, six of them came from reigning SAC Offensive Player of the Year and preseason first-team selection, graduate student Emilee Futrell (Wilson, N.C.). Futrell also led the squad in shot attempts with 37 over the spring campaign, as C-N totaled a combined 120 shots in their seven matches.
Thursday will be the fifth-ever matchup for the Eagles and Nighthawks, dating back to 2001. In the previous four meetings, North Georgia holds the 3-1 series lead and have won the last three matchups. This will be the first time the two programs square off in Jefferson City since 2012 when the Eagles were handed a disappointing 8-2 defeat. The lone C-N win in the series came in the first-ever matchup in September 2001 when C-N walked away with a 4-0 victory from McCown Field.
The last time the two faced off was November 2016 from Dahlonega, Ga where North Georgia walked away as the 4-3 victors. In that game, the Nighthawks rattled off three unanswered goals in the last 15 minutes of action to defend home turf. C-N's last goal came from Alex Brandan in the 54th minute before North Georgia responded with goals in the 75th, 82nd, and the eventual game-winner in the 89th minute to win.
"We want to challenge our team with any level of competition. We used our three preseason games to let the girls see tough competition and I think our non-conference slate starting on Thursday will continue help us see where we truly stand," Duffy said. "North Georgia is a dynamic team that will be ready to compete. I am excited to see the girls get out there and compete as we start the fall."
North Georgia finished their spring 2021 season with an overall record of 7-3, including hosting Columbus State in the Peach Belt Conference Semifinals which ended with a 2-1 victory in favor of Columbus State.
Heading into this season, the Nighthawks were projected third in the Peach Belt behind top-ranked Flagler and no. 20 Columbus State. The program is ahead of Lander and Young Harris who are placed in a tie for fifth place. After completing the spring 2021 season, North Georgia finished third in the PBC for goals (19) while only allowing eight in 10 contests. The program also fired off the fourth-most shot attempts in the PBC with 136. Sophomore Katey Derkay finished third in goals for the PBC with five over the 10 contests while junior teammate Abbie Crane added four of her own for UNG.
"I hope our team can see some fans and parents in the stands after being away from them last year. We know it's an early kick time but we will still be ready to compete," Duffy said. "This team is a special squad and come December, this group will never be altogether. We have had some pretty special groups here in the past, but I think this group will prove what they can do and start the season off strong."
Along with their third-place projection, North Georgia received a trio of preseason All-Peach Belt Conference selections. Junior Abbie Crane was a first-team All-Conference last spring after compiling four goals with three assists. Crane finished tied for sixth in the PBC in goals and fourth in assists and points. UNG also sees sophomore Mayoon El-Shami receive second-team All-PBC honors after netting a goal and adding four assists in the spring. The final preseason all-PBC honoree for UNG is senior Taylor Malasek, a first-team All-Conference selection after the spring. She started all 10 games, had three goals (including two game-winners), three assists which tied her for fourth in the PBC for the category and 10th in points.
Thursday's match is set to kick off at 3:00 p.m. at McCown Field. Be sure to follow all things Carson-Newman women's soccer on Twitter at @CNWSoccer and via cneagles.com throughout the 2021 season.
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