Oct. 16, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The Samford University soccer team will begin a momentous two-game Southern Conference homestand Friday at 7 p.m., as the Bulldogs square off against the College of Charleston Cougars at Bulldog Field. On Sunday, Samford will face The Citadel at 2 p.m.

Samford (4-8-2, 3-1-2 SoCon) heads into Friday's showdown with an undefeated 2-0-1 record at home this year. The Bulldogs have not allowed a goal at home and have picked up identical 3-0 victories over both Elon and Furman. Samford's lone draw at Bulldog Field occurred against the first-place UNC Greensboro Spartans.

Last weekend, the Bulldogs compiled a 1-0-1 record in SoCon play. At home on Friday, Samford rolled to a 3-0 victory against Furman before earning a 0-0 draw at Wofford on Sunday. In their tie versus Wofford, the Bulldogs outshot the Terriers 11-4.

Samford enters this weekend as the fourth-place team in the conference. UNC Greensboro is currently leading the league with a 5-0-1 record, with its lone blemish coming against the Bulldogs, while both Davidson and Western Carolina are tied for second place at 5-1.

College of Charleston (9-3-3, 2-2-2 SoCon) heads into Friday's match as the sixth-place team in the conference. The Cougars have compiled a 1-2-2 record in their previous five games and are coming off a 1-1 draw on the road against Georgia Southern.

In its six road games, College of Charleston owns a 1-2-3 record. The Cougars' lone victory away from home was a 1-0 decision against USC Upstate on Aug. 29.

College of Charleston is 7-1-1 at home this season and opened the 2008 campaign with a seven-game winning streak. The Cougars started the year with consecutive victories against Jacksonville 2-0, UNF 1-0, USC Upstate 1-0, Presbyterian 3-2, Richmond 3-0, Lehigh 1-0 and High Point 1-0.

Since College of Charleston's 7-0 start, the Cougars have registered a 2-3-3 record.

Samford's leading goal scorers this season are junior Amber Cress and freshmen Sarah Wilkinson and Mary Shelton Bryant. Cress leads the team with three goals and eight points, while Wilkinson and Bryant follow closely with two scores apiece.

Junior Caroline Baxter is the Bulldogs' leader in assists with three.

College of Charleston's top scorer this season is senior midfielder Megan Manthey. The Cougars' transfer from the University of Colorado has scored eight goals and is tied for second place in the conference.

Friday's match will be the first all-time meeting between Samford and the College of Charleston. With the Bulldogs' 1-0-1 performance last week, they improved their all-time record versus SoCon opponents to 10-2-4.

Following its critical SoCon game against the College of Charleston on Friday, the Samford University soccer team will continue its weekend homestand versus The Citadel Bulldogs at 2 p.m. (CT). The contest will be held at Samford's Bulldog Field and the first 100 fans will receive free souvenir soccer cups.

GameTracker - Samford vs. College of Charleston
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