CCU

Men's Soccer to Host Radford in Quarterfinals of Big South Conference Tournament

       

Men's Soccer to Host Radford in Quarterfinals of Big South Conference Tournament

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CHANTS WRAP UP REGULAR SEASON WITH PAIR OF DEFEATS: The Chants dropped a heartbreaker of a match against Winthrop that could have clinched the Big South regular-season title, as well as the No.1 seed in the Big South Tournament. Coastal Carolina took a 1-0 lead into the half, but were out-scored 3-1 in the second frame. The score remained tied at 2-2, but a late Winthrop goal in the 86th minute shattered the Chanticleers dreams, as they fell 3-2. Robert Hunter scored a goal on a penalty kick in the sixth minute, and assisted on a Ross Kelly goal off a corner kick in the 52nd minute. On Saturday in a non-conference match-up against North Florida, the Chants were defeated 3-0 after surrendering a trio of second half goals.

COASTAL CAROLINA CLAIMS NO. 2 SEED IN BIG SOUTH TOURNAMENT: The loss to the Eagles clinched the Chanticleers the #2 seed in this weeks Big South Tournament, and will take on the #7 seed in the Radford Highlanders. The squads battled to a 1-1 draw in their previous meeting on Oct. 26, as Hunter had the lone goal for the Chanticleers in the 16th minute. Radford’s Jeremy DelPino knotted the score up in the 18th minute at 1-1, and the teams battled the rest of the way to a scoreless tie the final 72 minutes. Goalkeeper Phillip Latham a pair of game saving stops late in the contest to preserve the draw for the Chants.

SCOUTING THE HIGHLANDERS: The book on the HIghlanders this season has been stingy on defense, and a lack of goals on offense. The Highlanders have tallied only nine goals in conference play, which is tied for second to last in the conference. On the other hand, Radford has only surrendered 11 goals against, which ranks in the top half of the Big South. While sporting a 3-4-1 record in conference play, the Highlanders will enter the tournament with a 7-9-2 overall record, which is a solid mark for a #7 seed in a conference tournament. RU carries a two-game losing streak heading into Thursday’s battle after dropping a pair of 1-0 decisions to Elon on Nov. 1 and East Tennessee St. Nov. 8. Offensively, the Highlanders are led by forward Iyiola Awosika with six goals on the year, and DelPino, who has four goals. Goalkeeper Zach Roszel has been solid in goal on the season, allowing only 11 goals in 13 games (0.84 GAA).

STILL PERFECT IN OT: The win over CofC on Nov. 1 marks the sixth time the Chants have entered overtime this season. Coastal Carolina remains perfect in overtime contests with a perfect 5-0-1 record in games that needed extra time to determine a winner. Also, five of the teams eight wins have come in overtime.

WHEN HUNTER SCORES: The Chants are 7-4-1 in contests when Hunter has at least a point. His 24 points (9g., 6a.) ranks him third in the conference, while he is in the top four in both goals (3rd) and assists (4th).