JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman (1-1-1) begins its South Atlantic Conference slate with a home matchup with Anderson (1-2) tomorrow evening at McCown field.
"Well-coached, well-oiled team and they've got talent in the back, midfield and up top, "Carson-Newman head coach Simon Duffy said. "They are going to be a formidable opponent and a tough one to play to open up with. I'm glad its at home because we've looked like ourselves more at home than on the road. So, again before we hit the road next weekend we need to make sure we show up and do some good things that we can build on."
Duffy has compiled a 44-11-4 mark against the conference in the last six seasons. With the exception of the shortened covid spring 2021 season, C-N has won at least seven games in conference play under Duffy and have finished no lower than fourth in the standings.
Anderson knocked off Carson-Newman at home last season 2-1, ending a seven-game skid against the Eagles. The Eagles scored first when Selina Jud (Wilderswil, Switzerland) found Maja Bengtsson (Malung, Sweden) for her first career goal to give C-N the advantage in the 15th minute. Anderson got a goal back late in the opening half, Emma Deadwyler sent a pass to Spencer Heming who scored the equalizer with just over three minutes remaining in the first half. Deadwyler was effective again, scoring the game-winning goal in the 59th minute to lift the Trojans over the Eagles.
Outside of getting shutout against Lee, C-N has scored eight goals in its other two matches this season. The Eagles have the second-best scoring offense in the league and 10th best in the country. Seven different players have scored a goal for Carson-Newman this season. Four of those seven players scored their first career goal. Felicia Frick (Eschen, Liechenstein) leads the way with two goals scored this season and Addie Henry (Chattanooga, Tenn.) leads the team with two assists.
Anderson has began its season with a 1-2 record, with the win coming last time out against Emmanuel 5-0. The Trojans lost their first two games to Belmont Abbey and Flagler 4-2 and 4-1 respectively. AU finished fourth in the league last year with a 10-4-4 overall record but was bounced in the opening round of the SAC tournament.
AU was picked to finish sixth in SAC preseason poll. Camryn Woods, Emma Deadwyler and Carly Keuffer were all named to the preseason second team. While Bethany Anderson, Kristen Cole and Meggie Powell were picked to the preseason third team.
Leanna Guion is the team leader in goals (2), assists (2), shots (14), and shots on goal (8). Six other players have scored one goal this season and four have assisted on a goal. Victoria McGovern has allowed seven goals, while making 14 saves in her first three starts of 2023. She made three saves in Anderson's shutout of Emmanuel.
The two clubs' offenses rank second and third in the SAC, while both defenses rank at the bottom in scoring defense.
Tomorrow's match kicks off at 5:00 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.
