Reinhardt Soccer Heads Into Postseason Play

Waleska, GA - Both Reinhardt Men's and Women's Soccer programs finished up their 2023 Fall schedules this past weekend with mixed results.  The Women's team finished strong with a 4-0 win and a third-place spot in the final standings.  The Men's team had more of a rollercoaster weekend by getting a late goal to tie the game on Friday evening versus Truett McConnell and then a gut-wrenching defeat on Sunday against the #2 finisher Union College Bulldogs, 5-0.  It was an unusual loss considering how the Eagles' defense has played all season long. In most games, including some top-ranked programs, Reinhardt always held its own keeping the game level giving the team a chance to win with just one goal. That all seemed to change on Sunday afternoon in the final game of the season, however, the Eagles are in the final AAC Tournament bracket.

On the Men's side, the AAC Soccer Tournament brings in the top 8 teams in a traditional high-low seed with #1 playing #8, #2 playing #7, and so on.  The Women's side does it slightly differently by bringing in the top 10 teams allowing the #1 and #2 teams to receive a bye for the first round.  Reinhardt Women finished in third place after a narrow come-from-behind win by Tennessee Wesleyan when the two faced last Wednesday.  With the win against Tennessee Wesleyan, the Eagles had a chance to be the top finisher in the league this season.

The Women's team will face Columbia (SC) on Saturday, Nov. 4th at 3 p.m. at Ken White Field and this is the #3 vs #6 matchup. The Eagles took the 3-0 win against the Koalas back in September of this season.

The Men will have to travel for their first round game and it will be against the #1 finisher, Milligan University Buffaloes.  That game will be on Saturday, Nov. 4th at a time to be determined. During the season, the Eagles played a great match against the visiting Buffaloes and ended up with a 0-0 tie.  The Men's Soccer in the AAC is very competitive 1-8 with a narrow margin separating the top teams from the bottom. In reality, any team 1-8 could end up winning this tournament - but the Eagles will have an uphill battle playing on the road for all the matches. Besides the last Union game, the Eagles won, tied, or had a narrow loss with every team in front of them.  All it takes in soccer is to play strong, tight defense and get a good shot on goal to take a 1-0 in and move on.

The Eagles will spend this week preparing for their Saturday games with hopes of winning and keep playing in 2023.  Both teams have the goal of reaching the NAIA Nationals.  The Women's team has a good streak going in making the NAIA National Tournament and the team will do everything they can to get back there again this year. 

Come out and support the Women's Team next Saturday at 3 p.m. at Ken White Field and watch the Men's team online (stream info to come later).

AAC Men's Tournament Info:

https://www.aacsports.com/sports/msoc/2023-24/releases/20231029scyhv0

AAC Women's Tournament Info:

https://www.aacsports.com/sports/wsoc/2023-24/releases/20231028xdz23d