HARROGATE, Tenn. – Senior forward
George Burne (Carlisle, England) did something that hasn't been done by an LMU men's soccer player since 2013 this week, and has been honored with Holiday Tire Railsplitter of the Week plaudits for the week of October 11 as a result. Burne is the first member of the men's soccer team to be arrayed with the award for the 2016-17 campaign.
Including Monday's game at Newberry, which was originally scheduled to be played last Saturday, Burne combined for four goals over a two-game stretch to lead the Railsplitters (7-4, 3-3 SAC) to two victories.
Burne kicked off the week in resounding fashion, notching the program's first hat trick since former All-American Mario Pinto accomplished that feat in 2013. What made his performance all the more impressive was the speed with which Burne scored his three goals, tallying all three over the final two minutes and 47 seconds of the match. That is far and away the fastest hat trick in program history, while that single match alone accounted for more than a quarter of Burne's career goals (11).
Burne wasn't done, though, as he scored in the 39th minute of Lincoln Memorial's eventual 3-2 overtime win at Newberry on Monday.
In 10 appearances this season, Burne has accumulated five goals, two assists and 18 shots, ranking ninth in the South Atlantic Conference in goals and 13th in points.
The Railsplitters are back in action on Saturday, October 15 when they host the Coker Cobras in SAC action at 3:30.
Holiday Tire is located off of Highway 58 in Cumberland Gap, Tenn., just two miles away from the LMU campus. In addition to offering all brand name tires, Holiday Tire provides a variety of automotive services, including brake repair, alignment and oil changes. Holiday Tire can be reached by phone at 423.869.2755. They can also be found on Facebook.
