Saturday’s Men’s Soccer Game At Greenville Chosen As SLIAC Game of the Week

The SLIAC Game of the Week highlights one key match-up within the conference each week. This week’s Game of the Week is Saturday’s men’s soccer game between Greenville College and Westminster College.

At a Glance
This week’s SLIAC Game of the Week is a re-match of the first round game in the 2013 SLIAC Tournament. Both teams won their conference opener this year and sit atop the SLIAC standings.

About Greenville
Greenville remains the only team in the SLIAC with an overall winning record, 5-4-1. After advancing to the SLIAC Tournament last year the Panthers were picked fifth in the 2014 SLIAC Preseason poll. The Panthers won their 2014 SLIAC opener 2-0 over Spalding.

Greenville’s attack is balanced with 10 different players recording a point so far this season. Jordan York leads the team in scoring with three goals and one assist for seven total points. Spencer Pulliam has a team high three assists while the trio of Elliot Thompson, Dillon Czech, and Richie Hershkowitz have each netted two goals. In net the Panthers feature Thomas Crown, who is putting together a standout season. Crown leads the conference in several statistical categories and holds a 0.89 goals-against average with 55 saves in 806 minutes played.

About Westminster
Westminster enters the week with a 3-6 overall record. The Blue Jays snapped a three game losing streak with a 2-0 win over Blackburn in their 2014 SLIAC opener last Saturday. Westminster began the season as the 2014 SLIAC favorites, receiving 78 total points including seven of ten first-place votes.

The Blue Jays offense is led by sophomore Tripp Sheehan. Sheehan leads the SLIAC in scoring with four goals and three assists for 11 total points. Fellow sophomore Drew Cook has added three goals including a team best two game-winning goals. Junior defender Daryl Doran anchors the Blue Jays defense while Raul Belman Romero is the netminder and holds a 1.73 goals-against average with 30 saves in 830 minutes of action.

Game Notes

• Westminster leads the all-time series against Greenville 15-13, including a 4-1 win over the Panthers in the first round of the 2013 SLIAC Tournament, and have won three consecutive games.
• Westminster is looking for their first back to back wins of the season.
• All three of Westminster’s wins this season have come at home, while all six of their losses have been on the road.
• This game features two of the more defensive minded teams. Greenville has allowed a conference low nine goals while Westminster has allowed third fewest with 16. In addition the offenses also rank just 6th (Greenville) and 7th (Westminster) in the league.