VIDEO: Carson-Newman vs Young Harris 2023 Highlights
VIDEO: Carson-Newman vs Young Harris 2023 Full Broadcast Replay
JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Two teams that had basically identical starts to their 2024 seasons will meet on Sunday evening as Carson-Newman (0-0-1) travels to compete against Young Harris (0-0-1).
The Eagles scored twice in the first 25 minutes but allowed Trevecca Nazarene to gain momentum and score twice in the next 65 minutes to draw the season opener. The tie marks just the second time that has occurred in a season opener.
"It's up to myself and the staff to reevaluate the game," Carson-Newman men's soccer head coach Stephen Lyons said. "I think we have a pretty good idea where the issues came about. Then, get that information to the guys and get them recovered as much as we can and then go against another top opponent in Young Harris."
The season-opening tie marks just the second time the men's soccer program has opened a season with a draw. The only other occasion was back in 1990 against Huntingdon at home.
Similar to C-N, YHC started its season off with a tie in basically the same way. The Mountain Lions scored two goals in the first 25 minutes but surrendered a goal in the 52nd minute and with 33 seconds left to draw with #6 Limestone on Thursday.
C-N senior midfielder Mitchell Honcoop scored two goals in the first 25 minutes of the season opener on Thursday versus Trevecca Nazarene. He became the first Eagle to score two goals or more in a game since Nic Carsh scored twice on August 28th, 2022 against Spring Hill. Honcoop's second goal was a penalty kick goal, the program's first since October of 2022.
C-N has failed to win its first road game over the past five seasons. Its last win in a road opener was against North Greenville in 2017, a 3-0 win.
Young Harris has the advantage in the all-time series against C-N 7-2, but the Eagles are coming off an impressive win over the Mountain Lions in 2023. Lyons' lads surrendered an early goal, but four different guys scored four consecutive goals to rally and secure the program's second win over YHC. Paul Csmarcich (Vienna, Austria) paced C-N's attack finishing with a goal and an assist each.
The Young Harris men's soccer team was selected to finish the 2024 season in third in the Conference Carolinas Preseason Poll. The Mountain Lions finished their 2023 campaign with a 9-3-6 overall record and an 8-0-4 conference record. The team's strong conference effort helped them secure last year's Southwest Division Title.
The Mountain Lions return leading scorers Thomas Kleinpenning and Jamie Lapsley. Kleinpenning and Laspley both found the back of the net seven times in 2023. Kleinpenning's great season earned him First Team All-Conference and Second Team All-Southeast Region honors.
Young Harris also returns two key defenders in Junior Sacha De Corte and Sophomore Ivar Nå Aga. De Corte anchored the Mountain Lions back line in 2023. His consistent strong play garnered Second Team All-Conference recognition. Nå Aga notched three points last year with a goal and an assist and earned Third Team All-Conference and Third Team All-Region honors.
First touch from the YHS Soccer Complex is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. A live stream of the game is available at https://conferencecarolinasdn.com/yhcmountainlions/
Fans can also follow along to @CN_Eagles on X (Twitter) and Instagram for in-game updates.
