MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The Samford University soccer team will face one of its toughest challenges of the 2012 Southern Conference season Sunday at noon (CDT) as the Bulldogs square off against the College of Charleston Cougars in a rematch of last year's SoCon Tournament title match to be held at Patriots Point.
 
Samford (8-5-2, 5-0-2 SoCon) heads into the match riding the positive momentum of a 2-0 road triumph against The Citadel on Friday. In the victory, the Bulldogs received goals from Ariane Lukens and Trine Taule and cashed in on a key shutout performance from sophomore goalkeeper Melissa Montgomery. The shutout was Montgomery's second of the 2012 campaign.
 
Samford's game-winning goal was scored by Lukens on Friday in the 30th minute of play. The goal was her first as a Bulldog and was assisted by both Lindsey Hansen and Taule. A native of Arvada, Colo., Lukens transferred to Samford from South Carolina over the summer and has been listed in the Bulldogs' starting lineup in five of the team's last seven matches.
 
College of Charleston (4-9-1, 3-3-1 SoCon) enters Sunday's contest with a full head of steam after earning a demonstrative 5-1 home victory against Chattanooga on Friday.
 
Sophomore Kate Twohig registered a goal and an assist for the Cougars and was one of five different College of Charleston players to put the ball in the net. Nicole Koretsky scored her third of the season, while Maryam Buazza netted her second of the year and Sarah Cardamone tucked in her team-high fourth of the year. Victoria Fichman also scored her first goal as a Cougar.
 
Against Chattanooga, College of Charleston dominated possession from the onset and produced a 33-6 shot advantage, with 33 shots being the teams' highest single-game total in over five seasons. Over half of the Cougars' shots were on frame as well.
 
Samford and College of Charleston have developed a heated rivalry during the Bulldogs' short five-year tenure in the SoCon. Sunday's match will be the eighth all-time meeting between the teams and Samford owns a 4-1-2 advantage in the rivalry.
 
Last season, the Bulldogs tallied a pair of victories against the Cougars. In regular-season play, Samford rallied for a momentous 2-1 overtime triumph held in Birmingham, Ala., before topping College of Charleston, 1-0, in the championship match of the SoCon Tournament.
 
The Bulldogs' Adrianne Mancino scored the game-winning goal to knock off the Cougars late in the second half of play.
 
Following Sunday's showdown at College of Charleston, the Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 7 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs play host to the UNCG Spartans for yet another critical SoCon match to be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
 
Friday's contest will be highlighted by the Bulldogs' annual Senior Night festivities. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as Samford's senior class consisting of Sabbath McKiernan-Allen, Kaley Blanton and Mancino will be honored with a special presentation.