GREENEVILLE, Tenn. --- The Tusculum University women's soccer team will honor members of its senior class when the Pioneers host Coker on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pioneer Field in their only match of the week.
The Pioneers (6-8-0, 2-5-0 SAC) will look to rebound after back-to-back losses to Lincoln Memorial (3-1 on Wednesday) and Catawba (2-0 on Saturday) against a Coker squad that has lost seven consecutive matches heading into the week.
Tusculum is currently in sole possession of ninth place in the SAC standings, trailing Queens and Lincoln Memorial by three points in the race for the final conference tournament berth with three games left in the season.
RECAPPING THE WEEK
Lincoln Memorial scored two goals in the final 26 minutes to break a 1-1 tie and take a 3-1 win over Tusculum on Wednesday at Pioneer Field. The Pioneers' lone goal came in the 61st minute from Jamila Thombs, while Danielle Breen reached double figures in saves with 11 stops.
On Saturday, the Pioneers lost at Catawba 2-0 on a pair of first-half goals by the Indians' Shelby Vasich, who was recognized as SAC Offensive Player of the Week. Breen had her third straight match with double figures in saves for the Pioneers, making 10 stops in the setback.
LOOKING AHEAD
Coker (1-11-0, 0-7-0 SAC) were shut out for the second straight match with a 6-0 loss at Queens on Saturday. It was the eighth time this season that the Cobras have been blanked, and none of Coker's 12 matches have been decided by one goal. The Cobras' only win came against Shaw by a 3-1 score on Sept. 21.
Junior Ashley Hogg, who scored twice in the win over Shaw, is the leading scorer on the team on the strength of those two goals. Coker has scored just two goals in seven conference contests, coming from junior Skylar Davis against Mars Hill and sophomore Skyler Jorgensen against Carson-Newman.
Sarah Swaim has started 11 matches in goal for the Cobras and has made a league-best 96 saves, with a 3.48 goals against average and a .706 save percentage.
Tusculum has never lost to Coker in six SAC matches, outscoring the Cobras 15-0 in their first five wins before claiming a 4-1 victory on the road in last year's season finale.
Prior to the game, Tusculum will honor seniors Breen, Maddie Vossen, Chelsea Sheerin, Sonja Ballmert and Kirsten Pappas along with fifth-year seniors Ellie Tomassoni and Carly Culler. At halftime, former Pioneer standout Carlie Thornber will be inducted into the program's Wall of Fame.
LEADER BOARD
Breen has now qualified for the SAC goalkeeping leaders and is ranked second in save percentage at .837. Breen is also ninth in goals against average at 1.45. Tina Haig continues to lead the Pioneers in goals with three, with two goals apiece from Brooke Radcliffe, Yvette Raaijen and Thombs.
Links to live stats and video for Tusculum University athletic events can be found through tusculumpioneers.com.
