ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop men's soccer set to face Mercer and Wofford College this weekend as part of the Big South/SoCON Challenge. Eagles will travel to Mercer Friday for a 7 p.m. matchup while the contest against Wofford has changed sites and the Eagles will now host the game on Sunday at 6 p.m.
 
GAME SNAPSHOT
FRIDAY'S GAME
WHO: Winthrop (0-1) at Mercer (0-2)
WHERE: Macon, GA (Bear Field)
BROADCAST: none
LIVE STATS: Statbroadcast (Click Here)
TWITTER: @WUGameDay / @Winthropsoccer / @WUEagles
TICKETS:  Free Admission
 
SUNDAY'S GAME
WHO: Wofford College (0-2) at Winthrop (0-1)
WHERE: Rock Hill, SC (Eagle Field)
BROADCAST: none
LIVE STATS: Statbroadcast (Click Here)
TWITTER: @WUGameDay / @Winthropsoccer / @WUEagles
TICKETS:  Free Admission

ANTICIPATION OF HEAVY RAIN FORCES SCHEDULE CHANGE
Mercer was set to host all four games of the Big South/SoCON Challenge, but with the forecast of rain leading up to Friday's contests and possibility of more into the weekend there was adjustments made so all the team's could get their games played. The Eagles were going to take on Wofford at noon on Sunday in Macon, but will now host the Terriers for their home opener (originally scheduled for Sept. 13 vs. USC Upstate).     
 
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS MERCER
Mercer and Winthrop meet for the 7^th time as the Eagles hold a 4-2 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams met last season in Spartanburg, SC and the Eagles prevailed 2-0 behind goals from James Skonicki and Brandon Anselmo. Winthrop is 2-1 against Mercer in Macon and held on for a 2-1 win in 2013.    
 
SERIES HISTORY VERSUS WOFFORD
This will mark the 36^th meeting between the Eagles and Terriers and 22^nd time since both programs moved to the NCAA D1 level. The two teams have split the last two meetings. The Eagles won 1-0 in overtime last season on a golden goal by Francesco Tiozzo and fell 3-0 the year before. In the series, six of the last seven meetings have been one-goal games. Winthrop leads the all-time series 25-8-2.      
 
A GLANCE AT THE EAGLES
Winthrop is coming off a 1-0 loss at #15 Charlotte as the game was decided in the 88^th minute. The Eagles lost last year's opener and then reeled off three straight wins as they look to enjoy the same fortune this season. Senior goalkeeper Kenneth Perkinson tied his collegiate-high in saves with 10 against the 49ers. It was a personal best as an Eagle and third time he's done it at the college level (twice at UNC Pembroke).

A GLANCE AT THE BEARS
Mercer opened the season at Georgia State with a 2-0 loss, despite the stat sheet being pretty level. The Bears then traveled to Columbia, SC to take on South Carolina and suffered a 2-1 loss in overtime. In 2016 the Bears knocked off the nationally-ranked Gamecocks in the game prior to facing the Eagles. Mercer had a 15-7 advantage in shots and 5-1 on corners against USC. Will Bagrou netted the lone goal for Mercer in the 65^th minute for a 1-0 lead. Bagrou had five goals and four assists last season and 12 goals, five assists as a freshman.
 
HOME OPENERS
The Eagles were originally scheduled to play their home opener on Sept. 13, but will now host Wofford on Sunday. Winthrop fell 4-3 to Liberty in its home opener last season. The Eagles are 25-16-1 all-time in home openers and have won eight of the last 10. .    
 
HASENSTAB ONE OF NATION'S TOP SCORERS
Redshirt senior Max Hasenstab has had a decorated career and enters the 2017 season among some of the NCAA Division I active scoring leaders. Hasenstab is currently third among active players with 1.67 points per game and 5^th in total goals scored with 34. He's also third in goals per game at .71. He is a three-time All-Big South selection and the 2015 Big South Conference Tournament MVP. He has 80 career points, which ranks 10^th among active players and tied for 8^th all-time in Winthrop history.
 
WHAT'S AHEAD
Winthrop will have the week off as it stays on the road and travels up I-77 to Davidson, NC to take on the Wildcats on Saturday, Sept. 9 at 6 p.m.

BIG SOUTH PRESEASON POLL
Winthrop was picked fifth in the Big South Preseason Poll as it was tied with Campbell with 45 votes. The Eagles captured their final two league games of 2016, but did not advance to the conference tournament. Winthrop and Campbell were just seven votes behind Longwood in 4^th. The Highlanders received 7-of-9 first-place votes while High Point was picked second and Liberty third.