CINCINNATI, Ohio – The Railsplitters (2-1) will try to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they face Walsh (0-0) in a neutral-site contest at Elder High School in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday. That match is slated to get underway at 2 p.m.
Schedule / Game Day Links:
Saturday, February 17 vs. Walsh (2pm)
Quick Hits:
- Lincoln Memorial went 1-1 in its trip to the Sunshine State last weekend, picking up a 21-8 win at Palm Beach Atlantic before suffering a 20-6 loss at Saint Leo, who moved up to No. 17 in this week's USILA national poll following that win.
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Adam Golia led the Railsplitters to victory at Palm Beach Atlantic with a program-record 13 points and nine goals. Golia's 13 points broke the South Atlantic Conference record and are the fourth-most in Division II history, while his nine goals tied the SAC record. The senior currently leads the SAC in points (26), goals (15) and assists (11).
- In last Saturday's loss at Saint Leo, the Railsplitters fell into a 6-0 hole and never recovered. Lincoln Memorial went into the half trailing 12-2 before eventually falling 20-6. That loss denied LMU of its first 3-0 start in program history. Golia had a goal and three assists while
Kyle Arcuri chipped in two goals. The rest of the team produced just three goals combined.
- The Railsplitters have struggled with turnovers early in the season and have averaged nearly 20 per game. The team's 59 total turnovers lead the SAC by a significant sum, though LMU is the only conference team to have played three matches this season. Lenoir-Rhyne is the only other team that's played more than one match.
- Lincoln Memorial has yet to settle on a full-time goalie through the first three matches. Freshman
Michael Kessler has made two starts and three appearances, compiling a 14.15 goals against average with 17 saves over that span.
Jeffrey Handman has made three appearances with one start, logging a 9.73 goals against average with 10 saves. As a team, LMU has produced a 42.2 save percentage.
- Golia and Arcuri have combined for 39 of Lincoln Memorial's 71 points as a team. Other standouts include
Anthony Teresky (3 goals, 1 assist),
Robert Tucker (3 goals, 1 assist),
Khanan Bodley (3 goals) and
Chad Walters (3 goals).
Know the Opponent:
- Saturday will serve as the 2018 season opener for the Walsh Cavaliers, who finished 4-12 during the 2017 campaign.
- Walsh finished fourth in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference standings last season with a 3-3 mark to make the first postseason appearance in program history. The Cavaliers were picked to finish fifth in the G-MAC preseason coaches poll.
- Walsh will be tasked with replacing most of the starting unit from last season's squad, including G-MAC Goalkeeper of the Year Dylan Ciolino as well as the program's all-time leading scorer Bryan Crim.
- Key returners for the Cavaliers include senior attacker Benjamin Suchomma, who compiled 15 goals and 23 points last season. Midfielder Ryan Rafac is also back after leading the Cavaliers with 62 groundballs and a 53.4 face-off winning percentage last season.
- More than half of Walsh's roster is comprised of freshmen with 14 players set to make their debut for the Cavaliers. Walsh has just four seniors and six juniors.
Series History:
Saturday will serve as the first-ever meeting between Lincoln Memorial and Walsh. In fact, it will be the first time that the Railsplitters have faced a G-MAC opponent in program history.
