CLEVELAND, Ga. –Truett McConnell University men's soccer (8-1-2 overall, 7-0-0 AAC) travels to Columbia, S.C. to take on the Columbia International University Rams (5-4-3 overall, 3-1-2 AAC) at Sessions Field on Wednesday.
 
Tomorrow's match provides TMU with an opportunity to tie the men's soccer program record for most conference wins in a single season (2024). The chance comes with five Appalachian Athletic Conference games still to be played thanks to a program-best 7-0-0 start to AAC play. 
 
Truett McConnell has history on its side with a 8-4-2 record against Columbia International all-time. In their last meeting, the Bears secured a 5-0 home win with all goals scored by 2026 active players. (Jovica Lazarevic, James Aspinall, Pablo Farrona, Marco Mandelka, Noa Weigand)
 
The Rams enter tomorrow's competition with extra rest after their scheduled meeting with Johnson University last Saturday was postponed. Their last AAC match was a hard-fought 5-5 draw at Bryan College that saw CIU climb back from a 5-3 deficit in the 70^th minute to salvage a point. Junior Ezekiel Bargas is the commander of the offense, leading the team in goals (seven), points (16), shots (31), and shots on goal (18). Branson Calcutt has recently taken over goalkeeping duties for CIU, posting a notable total of 12 saves through just 160 minutes, good for a .800 save percentage.
 
Truett McConnell's offense is set to receive a boost in production thanks to the return of the NAIA's leader in assists, senior Pablo Farrona, after not appearing in TMU's 2-1 win over Pikeville. He now gets a chance to reconnect with AAC goals leader Jovica Lazarevic as the two veterans seek to add to their impressive stat totals of 11 assists and 12 goals respectively. The Bears back line has also provided a boost on the opposite end of the pitch as Truett McConnell's defense has allowed zero goals from scrimmage in their last three matches.
 
Game start is set for 7:30 p.m. under the lights in Columbia, S.C.