ANDERSON, S.C. -- Looking to rebound from another heartbreaking loss and likely secure a spot in the South Atlantic Conference Championship field, the Lady Railsplitters (4-7-3, 2-5-2 SAC) travel to Anderson, S.C. on Saturday for a league bout against the Anderson Trojans (12-3, 6-3 SAC), set for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
 
Despite producing a 19-7 advantage in shot attempts including an 8-5 edge in shots on goal, Lincoln Memorial was handed a 1-0 loss by Mars Hill on Wednesday at the LMU Soccer Complex. The Lady Railsplitters left the door open in the closing seconds of the first half and the Lions walked on through, collecting a rebound in front of the net and planting in the game-winning goal with six seconds left in the first stanza. LMU outshot Mars Hill 10-1 in the second half and landed four shots on goal over that stretch, but were unable to produce the equalizer, eventually losing to the Lions for just the third time in 16 all-time meetings.
 
The Lady Railsplitters remain in the playoff picture in spite of the loss, sitting in eighth place with eight points, but Brevard, Coker, Mars Hill and Catawba are all nipping on their heels with six points apiece. A win on Saturday would assure Lincoln Memorial a spot in the upcoming SAC tournament, while a tie paired with losses by Mars Hill and Catawba would also clinch a bid.
 
Lincoln Memorial's hopes for the remainder of the season will hinge largely on getting Michelle Hunter (Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada) going offensively. Hunter, a preseason All-SAC second team selection, combined for 14 goals in her first two seasons with the Lady Railsplitters, but she has been limited to just three goals this season. Two of her goals came against Hiwassee in that 18-0 thumping, as she hasn't tallied against an NCAA opponent since the Lady Railsplitters' season-opening win over West Alabama on September 4 despite leading the team with 41 shots.
 
Live stats will be available for Saturday's match at www.LMURailsplitters.com, the comprehensive online home of Lincoln Memorial athletics.
 
Know the Opponent
 
Anderson - 1 p.m. Live Stats
 
The Trojans enter Saturday's match in fifth place in the South Atlantic Conference, but that standing belies the undeniable fact that Anderson has been among the league's elite this season. Anderson has churned out two separate five-match winning streaks, but has mixed dominant wins against Emmanuel (Ga.) and Catawba with hard-fought losses to Lenoir-Rhyne and Queens in their last four appearances on the pitch.
 
In Wednesday's loss at Queens, the Trojans were limited to just six shots attempts against the Queens Royals, who tallied in the 52nd and 71st minutes to pace the win.
 
That was an uncharacteristically unproductive performance for the high-octane Anderson offensive attack, which ranks 11th in the nation in scoring with 3.20 goals per game and 10th in points per match with 8.80. The Trojans currently lead the South Atlantic Conference in total goals (48), shots on goal (161) and assists (36). Additionally, Anderson is second in the SAC with a 0.85 goals against average. 
 
The Trojans' offensive prowess is largely a by-product of being led by one of the nation's elite scorers. With the graduation of Wingate's Jade Montgomery, Anderson's junior forward Idoia Agirre has taken over as the South Atlantic Conference's most feared offensive threat, as she leads the league in goals (18), points (42), shots (69), goals per game (1.20) and points per game (2.80). She is among the top-5 in the nation in goals per game, points per game, total goals and total points. Agirre, who has more goals individually than four different SAC teams, has registered a hat trick twice and scored two goals in four additional matches.
 
Agirre is complimented by Kenzie Van Heusen (8 goals, 7 assists) and Marie Yasmine Alidou (8 goals, 5 assists), who have collectively racked up 45 points to rank fourth and eighth in the league in points respectively. Megan Foster has added four goals and three assists, while Emily Cowan has produced two goals and four assists.
 
Freshman goalkeeper Abby Helm has started 14 of the Trojans' 15 matches this season, recording 63 saves, an .829 save percentage and a 0.95 goals against average. Her 13 total goals conceded is the third-lowest mark among the SAC's qualified netminders.
 
The Lady Railsplitters are 4-1-1 in the all-time series against Anderson with a 3-1-1 mark since the Trojans joined the South Atlantic Conference in 2010. Lincoln Memorial scored in the 82nd minute in last season's meeting to secure a 1-0 win at the LMU Soccer Complex, as Kayla Stephens (Keller, Texas) made four saves to post a clean slate. The Lady Railsplitters dropped a 1-0 decision to the Trojans in the most recent meeting in Anderson during the 2013 campaign.