 "Photo: Alex Georgi")
Coming off of a tie vs. Clemson and a win vs. Campbell, the Charlotte 49ers Men’s Varsity Soccer team looks to continue their prowess while hosting the Charlotte Nike Invitational this weekend. Invited teams include Appalachian State, Winthrop, and Coach Jeremy Gunn’s alma mater; California State-Bakersfield.
Action kicks off with Appalachian State taking on Winthrop Friday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. Following that game is your 49ers vs. Cal State-Bakersfield at 7:30 p.m. Action continues with Cal State-Bakersfield vs. Appalachian State on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
Charlotte finishes the invitational by taking on local rival Winthrop, Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. Cal State-Bakersfield comes to the tournament with a 2-1-1 record. The Charlotte 49ers need to start the tournament with a victory against CSUB. The biggest issue may be that they are coach Gunn’s alma mater.
From the latest NSCAA poll from 9/15/09, Charlotte remains out of the national Top 25, but has received 22 first place votes. Charlotte sits with a record of 2-1-1 to begin the season and has victories thus far at Elon and Campbell, with a tie against ACC foe Clemson last week.
Appalachian State joins the tournament with a 10 goal win at Emory and Henry, and sits at 2-2-1 for the season. Winthrop will be the 49ers biggest threat, coming in with a (4-1) (.800) record, the 24th highest winning percentage in the nation.
Winthrop’s top threat is goal scorer Matt Skonicki; who sits fourth in the nation for scoring with three points per contest. The 49ers will have to step up and shut down the Eagles, who are averaging 3.2 goals per contest.
The 49ers must utilize their seniority this weekend to set the tone for the rest of the season. The 49ers return five seniors with the likes of goalkeeper David Martin and midfielder Luke Exley.
The 49ers are also led by sophomore Evan James, who last year was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team. James was also recently named to this week’s Top Drawer Soccer’s National Team of the Week, as well as also being named Atlantic 10 Men’s Soccer Player of the Week.
This is credited to his game winning goal with five minutes remaining versus Campbell, as well as the assist to the 49ers first goal. He also scored the lone goal to tie ACC foe, Clemson.
The 49ers defense is led by senior Nathan Mathers, whose size and distribution will be crucial to attacking the offensive third of the field. Mathers is also accompanied by sophomore Alexander Deitz, who brings in a tough and youthful approach to the team. His high level of play and hard tackling will have to exist for 90 minutes if the 49ers want to come out of this weekend undefeated.
Be sure to support your 49ers this weekend, as they look to build on an impressive 2008-2009 campaign.
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