GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- Tusculum University is in the midst of a logjam in the South Atlantic Conference men's soccer standings as the Pioneers prepare for a pair of road matches this week.
The Pioneers (1-4-1, 0-2-1 SAC) are one of four teams tied at 0-2-1 in league play, one of five teams with one point in the standings, and one of eight teams with zero or one league victories through three matches.
As a result, this week's matches at Carson-Newman on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and at Anderson on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. loom in significance as the Pioneers aim to climb in the league table as the season approaches its midway point.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
The Pioneers trekked to Coker University on Saturday and played the fourth-ranked Cobras to a scoreless deadlock through halftime. However, Coker exploded for three goals in the first part of the second half and went on to record a 3-1 victory to stay unbeaten at 7-0-0.
Tusculum's lone goal came with under three minutes left as Ignacio Alconchel netted his fifth of the season. Sophomore Bruno De Freitas finished with four saves for the Pioneers, who were outshot 16-6 in the second half and 21-10 for the match.
PROFILING THE PIONEERS
Alconchel leads the Pioneers with five goals, which places him in a tie for fourth in the conference. Alconchel is fifth in the league with 20 shots, and his five goals have come on nine shots on target.
Sophomore keeper Bruno De Freitas is second in the SAC with 26 saves and has a 2.41 goals against average. His .634 save percentage is eighth-best in the conference.
Through six matches, the Pioneers have taken 71 shots at goal but put just 23 on target, for a percentage of 32.4 percent that ranks last in the conference.
SCOUTING THE OPPOSITION
Carson-Newman (4-2-0, 3-0-0 SAC) brings a four-match winning streak into Wednesday's contest, after opening the season with losses to Shorter and Lee. The Eagles have outscored their opponents 13-5 during their win streak, including a 6-2 win over Erskine on Sept. 8.
The Eagles, who beat Catawba 2-1 on Saturday at home, are led on offense by senior Thaylan Silva who is fourth in the conference in goals with five and in points with 12. Silva's five goals have come on 11 shots, including a hat trick in the win over Erskine. Senior Bram Kaarsgaren has started all six matches in goal and has a 1.50 goals against average.
Carson-Newman won two games over the Pioneers in the spring by identical 3-0 scores, but Tusculum still has a 17-15-7 lead in the all-time series. The Pioneers have two wins and two draws in their last four fall meetings with the Eagles.
Anderson (3-2-1, 0-2-1 SAC) defeated Francis Marion 3-1 in a non-conference game last Wednesday, before dropping a 4-1 decision to Lenoir-Rhyne last Saturday. The Trojans host Queens on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's meeting with the Pioneers, which is the fourth of five straight at home for Anderson.
Senior Alexandre Cox-Ashwood leads Anderson with five goals and two assists for 12 points, but he is scoreless in three conference matches. Senior Harry Ward has three goals and an assist, with two goals and two assists by sophomore Eloy Allimadi. Senior keeper Gal Elyashiv has made 67 career appearances for the Trojans, but his 2.16 goals against average and .478 save percentage this season are the worst of his career to this point.
The Trojans beat the Pioneers twice during the 2019 season, including a 3-1 win in the SAC quarterfinals, and Anderson leads the all-time series by a slim 8-7-1 margin.
FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
Live stats and video are available for all home Tusculum University men's soccer matches. Links to stats and video for home and away matches are available at tusculumpioneers.com.
