The Lads are Back
The Carson-Newman men’s soccer team hit the road for Florida for its season opener against the University of Tampa this evening.
“This match is huge for us,” Carson-Newman head soccer coach Richard Moodie said. “We are very excited about the possibilities that come with playing our season opener down in Florida.”
Last season, the squad that came to be known as “the Lads” finished second in the nation with an overall record of 16-6-1 and an 8-3 conference record.
“We’re ready to bounce back in the fall,” Coach Moodie said, “and open our season with some really good competition.”
Tampa’s men’s team ended 6-8-3 overall.
The Spartans defeated SAC member Coker 4-0 early in their regular season.
The Eagles also earned a 4-0 victory at Coker with one goal and two assists from returning forward Nico Noll (Esens, Niedersachsen, Germany) and three goals and one assist from last year’s All-American Ross Frame.
On Oct. 4, Tampa fell 3-2 in double overtime at no. 3 Rollins.
“Nothing less than playing nationally ranked teams,” Coach Moodie said, “will prepare us for the conference that we have to play.”
C-N toppled Rollins 2-1 in the NCAA Elite Eight match to set a new program record and advance to the Final Four.
Frame caught the keeper out of position and lofted in the Eagles’ first goal in the first ten minutes of the match.
In the 70th minute, Nick Skoda (Knoxville, Tenn.) got ahold of a failed clearance and sealed the victory for the Lads.
“For our kids and the mentality,” Coach Moodie said, “we don’t get to care about who we play against. We look at this season as a way to prove that last season wasn’t just a one hit wonder.”
Tonight’s match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. and can be followed live at http://www.statbroadcast.com/
