ANDERSON, S.C. -- The Railsplitters (8-3-1, 5-3-1 SAC) hit the road for the final time in the regular season on Saturday when they make the trek to Anderson, S.C. for a pivotal South Atlantic Conference men's soccer battle against the Anderson Trojans (7-6-1, 6-3 SAC), slated for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.
 
Lincoln Memorial aims to bounce back after a devastating 1-0 loss to Mars Hill on Wednesday at the LMU Soccer Complex. The Railsplitters dominated nearly every facet of that contest, outshooting the Lions 26-8 with a 6-3 advantage in shots on goal while also producing a 10-3 disparity in corner kick attempts. But LMU had the misfortune of hitting either the crossbar or the post six times, which was only a small fraction of the near misses the Railsplitters were forced to endure. Mars Hill, meanwhile, scored on a beautifully struck, 30-yard shot by Stian Sanner in the 72nd minute to escape with the victory.
 
The Railsplitters might be without leading scorer Leonardo da Silva (Itajuba, Brazil), who left Wednesday's match in the 24th minute with a lower body injury and did not return, but his running mate Danilo da Silva (Campinas, Brazil) is more than equipped to shoulder the increased burden offensively. While it's not accurately reflected in the stats, da Silva has been an absolute offensive force this season, as he now ranks 15th in the SAC with 26 shots. Da Silva - two goals and assists this season - has lofted 14 shots and six shots on goal in his last three appearances while providing a whirlwind of energy.
 
A better response to a loss will be necessary this time around. Lincoln Memorial lost back-to-back games in early October after opening the season with six wins and a draw, suffering a 2-1 setback to Carson-Newman following a loss by that same score to Wingate. The Railsplitters went 1-4 in the matches immediately following a loss last season and 3-3-1 the season before that. 
 
The Railsplitters are currently ranked 43rd in the nation and third in the SAC with 2.08 goals per game. They are also among the best in the league in goals against average, ranking second in the SAC and 40th in the nation with a 0.98 mark. Lincoln Memorial leads the SAC and ranks 22nd nationally with 17 shots per match.
 
Live stats for Saturday's match can be accessed at www.LMURailspitters.com, the complete online home of Lincoln Memorial athletics.
 
Know the Opponent
 
Anderson - 3:30 p.m. Live Stats
 
The Trojans enter Saturday's match sitting just two points ahead of the Railsplitters in the South Atlantic Conference standings in a two-way tie with Carson-Newman for second place. They have hit a bit of a lull of late though, losing 2-1 at Erskine last Tuesday and most recently dropping a 3-2 overtime decision at Queens on Wednesday. Between those two matches, the Trojans beat Catawba 4-2. 
 
In Wednesday's overtime loss to the Royals, the Trojans relinquished two goals less than eight minutes into the match, but fought back to even the match before the end of the first half. Queens later captured the win in stunning fashion by scoring as time expired in the first overtime period.
 
The Trojans are ranked third in the SAC with 27 goals despite hoisting up just 12.6 shots per game. Anderson succeeds in large part because of the quality of their shot attempts, as they lead the SAC with a 46.9 shots on goal percentage. 83 of their 177 total shots this season have landed on target.
 
The Anderson defense has proven flimsy at times though, as they are ranked seventh in the SAC with a 1.72 goals against average. 
 
The Trojans' offensive unit is paced by senior forward Andre Carle, who has produced seven goals and three assists on 41 shots and an absurd 26 shots on goal. Carle is in good form too, as he's scored three goals in his last two appearances. Junior Lars Kaula has scored five goals and added two assists on just 18 shots and seven shots on goal, while freshman Erik Dahlbeck has collected three goals and two assists. Brad Du Plooy leads Anderson with four assists.
 
Senior goalkeeper Devon Ashy has played every second for the Trojans this season, accumulating a 1.72 goals against average, 62 saves and a .713 save percentage. He has allowed 25 goals in total, ranking 11th in the South Atlantic Conference in that category.
 
The Railsplitters have won three of the last four meetings against Anderson, but the series is level at 4-4 all-time. Yinka Lawal (Bromley, England) and Lucas Coro (Ribeirao Preto, Brazil) each scored in last season's meeting at the LMU Soccer Complex, which Lincoln Memorial won 2-1. The Railsplitters captured a 1-0 victory in Anderson during the 2013 season to improve to 2-1 all-time on the Trojans' home field.