MURFREESBORO, N.C. - The Chowan Men's Soccer team opens their 2017 campaign on Thursday afternoon on the road against the Lander Bearcats.

WHEN        Thursday, August 31 | 2:30pm
WHERE      Greenwood, S.C. (Van Taylor Stadium)
FOLLOW    GAME DAY CENTRAL
 
HAWKS PROFILE
Chowan starts off the season with something to prove entering the Conference Carolinas this season.  The Hawks finished the 2016 campaign with a 9-6-2 including a 6-2-1 record in Southeast Regional competition.  Chowan was picked to finish fourth in the Conference Carolinas preseason polls.

Last season, the Hawks posted a 3-1-1 record against Conference Carolinas opponents defeating Emmanuel, Barton, and Lees-McRae.  Chowan tied Belmont Abbey, 2-2, before dropping their lone match to Mount Olive.

The Hawks return 18 players from last season's roster including the top five point scorers.  Terell Williamson and Lee Wattam return as the leading goal scorers with 12 and nine respectively.

ABOUT THE BEARCATS
Lander enters the season after making the NCAA postseason in 2016.  The Bearcats went unblemished throughout play in the Peach Belt Conference and a berth in the NCAA postseason.  Lander finished the season with a 14-4-1 overall record.

The Bearcats boasted the nation's fourth best scoring offense with 3.05 goals per contest and held opponents to 1.02 goals per contest.

Lander returns PBC Freshman of the Year, Dean Cowdroy, and leading goal scorer Sam Lofts (12 goals).

SERIES HISTORY
The Hawks and Bearcats meet for the first time in program history.