HARROGATE, Tenn. -- The 20th-ranked Railsplitters (4-1-1, 1-1-1 SAC) return to the friendly confines of the LMU Soccer Complex hoping for a stroke of good fortune, welcoming the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (2-4-1, 2-1 SAC) for a South Atlantic Conference clash Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
 
Despite combining for a 49-29 disparity on shots, a 19-10 shots on goal advantage and a 14-7 cushion in corner kicks against its last two opponents, Lincoln Memorial has failed to break into the win column in either of those two matches. Most recently, the Railsplitters were upended by the Mars Hill Lions Wednesday despite registering the most shots in a single match for the program since 2012 (29) and the highest number of shots on goal since 2008 (13).
 
While the Railsplitters continue to lead the South Atlantic Conference in goals allowed and goals against average by a considerable margin, they have shown some chinks in the armor of late. After surrendering only one goal through the first four matches, Lincoln Memorial has relinquished four in the past two outings.
 
Junior striker Leonardo da Silva (Itajuba, Brazil) scored his SAC-leading fifth goal of the season in Wednesday's loss at Mars Hill as the Itajuba, Brazil native moved into second in the league rankings with 10 total points. Senior Yuri Passos (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) and junior Yinka Lawal (Bromley, England) are backing da Silva as Passos has one goal, two assists and 17 shots, while Lawal has yet to break through for a goal on 16 shot attempts.
 
Like the Railsplitters, the L-R Bears ride into Saturday's contest looking to bounce back from a loss. Lenoir-Rhyne opened conference play with a 2-0 mark before falling to Coker 2-1 Wednesday in Hickory, N.C. The Bears mustered a season-low six shot attempts in the loss.
 
Even considering that sluggish effort against the Cobras, the Bears are one of the most productive and efficient offensive teams in the South Atlantic Conference, ranking second in total goals (12), shot percentage (.152) and shots on goal (40) while leading the league in assists with 11.
 
Senior Ben Jones leads Lenoir-Rhyne with three goals, three assists, 16 shots and eight shots on goal, while freshman Leon Mueller-Wiesen has contributed two goals, two assists, 13 shots and seven shots on goal. Sophomore defender DeJean Charlton is tied for the team lead with three assists to go alongside a single goal.
 
While the Bears have produced 12 goals, they have also surrendered that same number, allowing an average of 1.65 goals per contest. Lenoir-Rhyne has given up two or more goals in five of its seven matches, posting only one clean slate in a 3-0 triumph over Wingate. Freshman goalkeeper Jorge Hernandez has played all 653:31 minutes in net for the Bears, accumulating 30 saves with a .714 save percentage over that span.
 
The Railsplitters hold a 6-2-2 edge in the all-time series with the Bears, but Lenoir-Rhyne nabbed a 2-1 overtime victory in last season's meeting in Hickory, N.C. Sophomore George Burne (Carlisle, England) accounted for LMU's only score in that contest.
 
First kick between the Railsplitters and Bears is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the LMU Soccer Complex. The LMU Sports Network, a function of Sigmon Communications, will be providing a live broadcast of that match with pre-game coverage beginning ten minutes prior to the start.

Live Stats
Video