DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Samford University soccer team will continue play in its 2012 Southern Conference schedule Sunday at 1 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs square off against the Davidson Wildcats in a critical conference showdown to be held at Alumni Stadium (2,000).
Samford (4-5, 1-0 SoCon) heads into the contest riding the positive momentum of an 11-match winning streak versus league opponents. Dating back to a 1-1 draw with The Citadel on Oct. 2, 2011, the Bulldogs have registered consecutive SoCon victories against Wofford, Furman (twice), Appalachian State, Western Carolina (twice), Davidson, Georgia Southern (twice), Chattanooga and College of Charleston.
The Bulldogs have not been defeated by a conference foe since Nov. 7, 2010, when Samford came up short in a 1-0 decision to UNCG in the championship match of the SoCon Tournament. Since then, the Bulldogs are 10-0-2 against SoCon opponents.
On Friday, Samford opened its 2012 conference slate with a 2-1 win at Georgia Southern. In the victory, the Bulldogs' goals were scored by
Lindsey Hansen and
Michelle Moll. Moll's key goal, which was tallied in the 69
th minute of play, proved to be the game-winner as she rifled home a shot from the middle of the field near the penalty spot. Moll's key score was her first of the 2012 campaign.
Davidson (3-4-2, 1-0 SoCon) heads into Sunday's duel riding a wave of positive momentum after shutting out Chattanooga, 3-0, in its conference opener Friday.
In their victory, the Wildcats' Dani Johnson netted the first two goals of her collegiate career off a pair of corner kick loose balls to lead the offensive charge. Davidson's Kelsey Krueger also scored for the Wildcats as they picked up their fourth shutout of the year.
Goalkeeper Rachel Locke earned her sixth career shutout and third of the season by stopping four shots.
Davidson dominated the shot column and corner kicks, holding 25-9 and 11-2 advantages, respectively.
Samford and Davidson own an identical 1-1-3 record in their all-time series versus each other. Last season, the Bulldogs tallied a 2-0 victory at home, while the Wildcats' lone win against Samford occurred Oct. 3, 2008, as they earned a 3-0 triumph at Alumni Stadium.
In the three matches in the interim, the Bulldogs and Wildcats battled to draws of 1-1 (2009), 0-0 (2010) and 1-1 (2010). Samford and Davidson squared off in the opening round of the 2010 SoCon Tournament and advanced past the Wildcats via a penalty-kick shootout.
Following Sunday's contest at Davidson, the Samford University soccer team will next be in action Friday at 7 p.m. (CDT) as the Bulldogs return home to Birmingham, Ala., for a momentous SoCon contest against the Furman Paladins to be held at the Samford Track and Soccer Stadium.
