University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men's Soccer Entertains Elon on Wednesday in Exhibition Soccer
08.16.2011 | Men's Soccer
ASHEVILLE, N.C. - The UNC Asheville men's soccer team will play its first of two exhibition matches to prepare for the 2011 season on Wednesday at Greenwood Field when the Bulldogs host Elon at Greenwood Field starting at 4 p.m. Admission is free.
Asheville is coming off a 4-13-1 season but the Bulldogs return nine seniors and eight starters in 2011. Second-year head coach Matt Kerns likes what he sees in the first week of pre-season workouts.
"Our guys have done a great job so far, not just with the first week in practice but in their summer conditioning prior to coming back to school," commented Kern. "I really like the chemistry I've seen with our players. We're doing some good things in training but I'm sure we will know more after we play a match on Wednesday."
Asheville should get a stern test from its former Big South rival. Elon went 8-6-5 last season and boast talented forward Chris Thomas, a Hermann Award nominee.
"We've got our work cut out for us playing Elon," declared Kern. "Elon has a very good team and has won a lot of matches the past few years. This is an excellent test for our guys on Wednesday."
On Saturday, the Bulldogs host Mars Hill College at Greenwood Field starting at 2 p.m. in their second exhibition match. Kern's club opens the regular season on Saturday, Aug. 27 at home when Asheville welcomes Mercer to Greenwood Field starting at 2 p.m.
