JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the final time in 2023, Carson-Newman (4-4-4) steps outside of South Atlantic Conference play when it welcomes Lee (7-3-1) to McCown Field tomorrow night for a 7:00 p.m. start.
The one day off between games for C-N matches the shortest turnaround this season. Its first two games of the season were played with one day off between games. Eagles fell to Spring Hill, one day after beating West Alabama to open the season.
Carson-Newman continues its five-game home stand to end the regular season. The Eagles are unbeaten at home this year, going 2-0-2. Only one non-conference match has been played at home this season, it was a 4-1 rout of Young Harris on September 6th.
The Eagles battled to the very last second on Saturday night with Catawba, but came up just short of securing a home conference victory, settling for a 2-2 tie. Nic Carsh (Newberg, Ore.) led C-N offensively scoring a goal and adding an assist in the effort.
With a tie against Catawba, Carson-Newman still has not had the same consecutive result this season. Every win has been followed by a tie or loss. Every tie has been followed with a win or loss and every loss has been followed by a win or tie.
These two teams are set to meet for the third consecutive season and fourth time in the last five years. Prior to the 2019 matchup, it had been nearly 30 years since Carson-Newman and Lee battled on the pitch. In last season's meeting, the match ended in a 2-2 tie in Cleveland. Trailing 2-1 at halftime, Niels Buurman scored a 70th minute goal to help level the match.
Monday's non-conference match will be Carson-Newman's fifth and final of the season. The Eagles are 2-1-1 outside of conference play this season, with four of its five non-conference games this season against Gulf South teams.
The Flames share three like opponents with C-N. Carson-Newman beat West Alabama, while Lee tied 1-1. Lee knocked off Spring Hill 2-0, C-N lost 1-0. The other GSC foe is Auburn Montgomery, who C-N tied and Lee lost too. The one common SAC opponent is Lincoln Memorial, who defeated both of these teams.
Lee enters the match playing some of its best all-around soccer of the season. It has won four matches in a row and has outscored its opponents 9-0. It has been 23 days since the Flames last allowed a goal (Sept 23 in a 1-0 loss to Auburn Montgomery).
Eamon McLaughlin has a team-high five goals to pace the Flames. Marcos Garcia has four, while Marc Ehmann and Ryan Chouyouti each have three. Fabian Navarro has a team-high five assists leading the Gulf South. The Flames have played two different keepers all season. Robert Bailey has the most saves with 18, but Jakob Buhrkuhl has only allowed one goal and has four shutouts in four straight games.
Kick off is slated for 7:00 p.m. from McCown Field. The game can be streamed on FloSports with a subscription. Fans can also follow along to @CN_Eagles on Twitter and Instagram for in-game updates.
