JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The final part of the three-part Carson-Newman men's soccer position preview features the forwards as second-team preseason All-South Atlantic Conference striker Marius Staalby (Trondheim, Norway).
Two freshmen, two juniors and two seniors make up the six forwards on the roster. Joining Staalby at the head of the Carson-Newman attack is Ashley Kelynack (High Wycombe, England), Bruno Andrade (Sao Paulo, Brazil), Bob Bishop (Maryville, Tenn.), Poly Avgousti (Paphos, Cyprus) and Nick Skoda (Knoxville, Tenn.).
"We know it's about. We've done this the past two years," Staalby said of the returning players. "Skoda has been here a little bit longer than me. Bob came in with me. Bob brings in a tremendous work ethic and Skoda is just pure speed; he can finish as well. We are going to be good going forward."
Avgousti and Skoda are the two seniors of the group. Avgousti will be playing in his first season with the Eagles, while Skoda is returning for his final campaign. Last season, Skoda only played in seven matches due to an injury but he did record a goal on the road at Trevecca Nazarene. During the NCAA Tournament run in 2013, the Knoxvillle-native scored the game-winning goal at No. 4 Rollins in the quarterfinals.
Staalby has 22 career appearances in the Orange and Blue and has tallied five career goals and seven assists. As a sophomore in 2014, the Norwegian tallied four goals and six assists in 14 starts. He had a span of four games last year where he netted three goals and recorded three assists. He was named preseason second-team All-South Atlantic Conference on Tuesday.
"I think it's all about relations," Staalby said of his torrid streak during the middle of 2014. "I found some relations with Joao and Robert last year. Players that are easy to play with, you can pass the ball off and get it back and find the back of net. It's basically relations.."
Bishop has seen limited play for the Eagles; the Maryvile-native has entered six matches during his first two seasons.
Kelynack is a freshman from England; as a high school player for St. Bernard's Catholic School, he scored 47 career goals and added 33 assists. Andrade is a right winger from Brazil.
"Poly has got quick feet and (Staalby and Kelynack) are the same type of player; we are both big, we are both good with our feet. We can get in the box and we are looking to score some goals this year," Staalby said.
The Eagles kick off the season at home against Alabama-Huntsville on September 5th at 7:30 p.m.
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