ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop men's soccer is set to host UNC Asheville on Saturday as part of a doubleheader with the women's soccer team and Alumni Weekend.
 
GAME SNAPSHOT VS UNC ASHEVILLE
WHO: Winthrop (2-7, 0-1 Big South) vs. UNC Asheville (2-7-1, 1-1 Big South)
WHEN: Oct. 5, 2019 / 5 p.m.
WHERE: Rock Hill, SC (Eagle Field)
BROADCAST: ESPN+
LIVE STATS: Statbroadcast
FOLLOW ON TWITTER: @Winthropsoccer
TICKETS:  Free Admission
PROMOTION: Alumni Weekend / Tailgate Sponsored by Eagle Club / Kids Zone

SERIES HISTORY VERSUS UNC ASHEVILLE
This is one of the longest running series in the history of the Winthrop soccer program. The two teams first met in 1975 as Asheville was the Eagles first opponent in program history. The Bulldogs won 7-0 in that game and the two teams have been battling since. This marks the 44^th meeting all-time as the Eagles lead the all-time series 27-13-3. The Bulldogs have won two of the last three meetings, including their last trip to Rock Hill in 2017, claiming a 1-0 victory. The winning team in the last four meetings has earned a shutout.
 
LAST TIME THESE TEAMS MET
Winthrop and Asheville last met almost a year ago to the day (Oct. 6, 2018) in Asheville. The Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the first half on an own goal. In the second half, the Eagles scored back-to-back goals within a minute and 15 seconds to earn the 3-0 win. Brandon Anselmo scored in the 61^st minute for insurance and Leif Estevez added another in the 62^nd minute. Winthrop's defense withstood an Asheville second half offensive effort that saw them earn seven corners and get six shots off (three on goal).
 
SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS
Bulldogs enter the game at 1-1 in the Big South and coming off a 4-3 loss against High Point at home on Oct. 2. It was the fourth one-goal loss of the season for Asheville, which has wins over VMI and USC Upstate. The Eagles and Bulldogs have many common opponents as each have faced Georgia State, VMI, Furman, and Wofford. Tyson Hichman leads the offense with four goals (eight points) while the Bulldogs have six different players with one goal each. Jarrett Payne has played all but 10:51 in goal this season and has a 2.18 goals against average with 72 saves (7.2 per game).
 
A GLANCE AT THE EAGLES
Eagles are coming off a 2-1 non-conference loss at Mercer on Tuesday. Winthrop turns its focus back to league play in search of its first league win. In the loss at Mercer the Eagles were without leading scorer Jordan Walshaw, who is expected to return to the lineup on Saturday. Walshaw leads the team with six points (1g, 4a) while Cameron Thayer is second with five points (2g, 1a). Sam Jones made his fourth start of the year at Mercer, but was replaced by Chandler Gaunce to start the second half. Gaunce had not played since leaving the game at Mount St. Mary's on Sept. 1. Conor Maher also made his return from injury as he put in 17 minutes against the Bears. Miles Rapp, who appeared in his 50^th game as an Eagle, is closing in on 50 career starts (46). Leif Estevez is also closing in on 50 starts (46). Winthrop is 1-2 at home this season having won its last home contest on Eagle Field with a 3-2 double-overtime win against the College of Charleston.  
 
10^th YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF 2009 BIG SOUTH CHAMPIONSHIP
This season the Eagles celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the 2009 Big South Conference Championship team. The Eagles were coming off a championship in 2008 as it lost some of the greatest players in the history of the program. The Eagles were still loaded with talent and after dropping the opener 3-1 at North Carolina State, they won five in a row. Heading into the Big South Tournament the Eagles were struggling, having lost three straight (outscored 10-1). Winthrop, seeded fourth, defeated Gardner-Webb in penalties to advance to the semifinals and then advanced to the championship after defeating top-seeded Coastal Carolina 4-2 in penalties. The Eagles went on to defeat Liberty 2-1 in the championship game, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for a second straight season. Winthrop went on to lose 3-2 at 20^th-ranked Duke in the opening round of the NCAA College Cup.

BIG SOUTH PRESEASON POLL
The Eagles were voted 7^th in the 2019 Big South Conference preseason poll. Winthrop returns nine players that started at least eight games from a team that was 3-5 in the league last year. The Eagles finished in 7^th last season, a point out of tying Longwood and USC Upstate for 6^th. Defending regular-season champion High Point is the preseason favorite while Radford and Campbell tied for 2^nd in the poll.
 
WHAT'S AHEAD
Eagles remain at home to take on Campbell, who enters the weekend at 7-2-1 overall and 1-0 in the Big South. Winthrop will host the Camels on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.   
 
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
To keep up with the latest news on the Winthrop men's soccer program follow the Eagles on Twitter (@Winthropsoccer), Instagram (@winthropsoccer) and Facebook (/WinthropUniversitySoccer).