JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Riding a four-match unbeaten streak, Carson-Newman (3-1-1, 0-0-1 SAC) welcomes Coker (3-0-1, 1-0 SAC) to McCown Field for its South Atlantic Conference home opener tomorrow at 5:00 p.m.
After dropping its season opener, Carson-Newman has responded by rattling off three straight wins and a draw for a four-game unbeaten streak, outscoring opponents 9-3 during this stretch. It's the ninth time in the past ten seasons that the Eagles have held a winning streak of at least four games.
Sophomore defender Karli Pettitt and sophomore forward Krista Nielsen have a team-high two goals, while six others have also contributed to the goal scoring column through four games. Three players that have not scored a goal have at least one assist, led by Irish Miles and Alayna Corbitt who each have a team-high two assists. 10 different players have contributed at least one point this season.
C-N is one of six teams tied for third in the league after its first conference game on Wednesday. The Eagles put together an excellent effort in a 2-2 draw with #9 Catawba, coming back from a one goal deficit on two different occasions.
Carson-Newman has been really strong in South Atlantic Conference play under head coach Simon Duffy. The 8th year head coach has posted a 48-15-8 record against the league since taking over in 2017. His teams have also won two of their last three SAC home openers. The Eagles have gone 44-13-6 at home over the past two seasons and are 2-0 so far this season, outscoring opponents 6-1 at McCown Field.
The Eagles will try to continue their success against the Cobras on Saturday evening. C-N has won eight straight meetings and has outscored Coker 39-1 during the winning streak. The one goal in this stretch for Coker came in 2019. Coker has failed to score against Carson-Newman in the last 305 minutes of game action in the series. Last season's 1-0 win in Hartsville was the only time during Carson-Newman's eight-game winning streak that it has failed to score multiple goals.
Coker will be aiming to exceed expectations in 2024 after being picked 11th out of 12 teams in the South Atlantic Conference Preseason Coaches' Poll. The Cobras are unbeaten at 3-0-1 this season, with shutout wins in non-conference play against Emmanuel and Bluefield State. They played to a scoreless tie with Barton, before starting conference play this past Saturday with a 2-0 victory versus Limestone.
Coker's defense has been the highlight of the 2024 season so far. Its one of just eight teams in DII women's soccer that have not allowed a goal this season. Obviously, they are tied for first nationally in goals against average, save percentage and shutout percentage.
Rhyan Parkin has played all four games in goal, making 12 saves in her three starts this season. Two other goalkeepers saw time in the net and have combined for seven saves.
Mallie Bates, Kira Boelke and Maia Clark are all tied for the team lead with three goals through the first four games of the season. Boelke has three assists as well to record a team-high of nine points.
First touch from McCown Field. is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. A live stream of the game is available with a subscription to FloSports.
Fans can also follow along by following @CN_Eagles on X (Twitter) and Instagram for in-game updates.
