JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second time in four days, Carson-Newman (2-1, 2-1 SAC) will compete against the Tusculum Pioneers (2-3-1, 2-1-1 SAC) in a crucial SAC matchup. The matchup on Thursday will now be played at 2:30 p.m. from McCown Field due to the threat of severe weather Thursday night. This will mark the second and last time the two programs will face off during the 2021 pod-style season.
During Monday's match, Carson-Newman collected a pair of individual braces from senior Emilee Futrell (Wilson, N.C.) and sophomore Addie Henry (Chattanooga, Tenn.). The pair moves into the team lead with two goals on the 2021 campaign alongside senior Lira Mathes (Knoxville, Tenn.), sophomore Makayla Garner (Fort Mill, S.C.), and freshman Savannah Fields (Johnson City, Tenn.). Fields netted her second on the season as part of the 5-0 result from Pioneer Field on Monday while Mathes and Garner put the ball in the back of the net against Mars Hill on March 4.
"Monday's result comes down to the quality of our players and what they did that day with the speed of play and intensity they decided to bring on the pitch. After overcoming the shutdown and being out of action, it was just fantastic by our players to do what we did on Monday," head coach Simon Duffy said. "LMU was a turning point for our squad. It showed our players that if we do not bring the intensity and competitiveness each and every match, we can have the result go 50/50 but if we play like we have the last two matches, we are at our best and can control the game."
The Eagles will be on the hunt for their third straight SAC victory, a feat last done in October of 2019 when it won three straight over Coker, Mars Hill, and Limestone.
The Eagles will also be honoring Mathes as part of the annual Senior Day festivities prior to the match. Mathes, a transfer from Martin Methodist, has been a part of the program for the last two seasons under Duffy and has made an impact on and off the pitch. Mathes has played in a total of 19 career games, including the 2021 season, while collecting four goals (one game-winner), seven shots on goal, and a combined eight individual points as an Eagle.
"I wish she was staying with us for another semester, but she has provided a great teammate atmosphere coming from Martin Methodist," Duffy said. "She will be sorely missed by the team and staff, but I know she is going to do great things and has been a vital part to this team her last two seasons here."
When the Pioneers and Eagles square off, it will be the 18th overall meeting between the two, dating back to 2007 with C-N holding the 10-7 series lead and outscoring Tusculum 18-7 in the last six matches. When playing at McCown Field, the Eagles have not won since October 19, 2016 when they came away with a 4-2 victory.
The last time Tusculum paid Mossy Creek a visit was on October 3, 2018. On that night, C-N goalkeeper Jackie Burns received a red card only 10 minutes into the game and the Eagles were outmatched as Tusculum took home 2-1 victory. The Eagles were able to outshoot the Pioneers 18-4, but it was Yvette Raaijen and Kate Guildford who provided the necessary separation and win.
Of the last four matchups, three of them have been decided by a one-goal margin. Monday's 5-0 result is the largest margin of victory for C-N in the series and the largest margin since the Eagles were 3-0 winners from Greeneville in 2017.
"One of the hardest things to do is shut down a team with the ability to score from different levels. We've had this in the past but if we have players in Lira, Sav, Addie, and Emilee to contribute, I hope it continues on," Duffy said. "We need to show up and not be complacent where we are now after three matches. We have to bring a fighting mindset no matter what."
When looking at the SAC as a whole after Monday's result, C-N leads the way in assists (10), goals for average (4.00), and have the second most team points (34) which is right behind Lenoir-Rhyne with 41 season points. The Eagles also boast the league leader in assists from freshman Molly Bukiewicz (Beavercreek, Ohio) who has four to her name while Futrell and Henry have shot their way into the top-10 with 13 shots apiece this year.
In their shortened 2021 season, Tusculum have collected a 2-3-1 record including a season sweep over the Mars Hill Lions. The Pioneers are fourth in the SAC with 67 shot attempts thus far and third with eight assists on eight goals while allowing the third-most goals to opponents (9) and drawing the SAC's most yellow cards with 10.
The Eagles will then continue the 2021 season with a trip to Johnson City, Tenn. on Sunday for a second battle with the Lincoln Memorial Railsplitters. The last time these two met in 2021, the game was decided with only 24.3 seconds left in double overtime as LMU got behind the Eagles defense and netted the heartbreaker to start off the season.
Live stats will be provided at cneagles.com along with the potential for video, barring any technical difficulties.
Be sure to keep up with all things Carson-Newman women's soccer at cneagles.com and via all social media accounts.
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