Nashville S.C., the brand-new professional soccer team in town, is coming to Lipscomb March 1 for a friendly match against the Bisons.
It’s not the first time Lipscomb has played a pro team, but it will be the first time it’s hosted one.
The Bisons defeated a United Soccer League foe last March, shocking Louisville City F.C. 1-0 in Elizabethtown, Ky. Louisville outshot the Bisons 17-4 in that game, but Ivan Sakou’s goal off a rebound gave Lipscomb the surprise victory. The two teams will square off again on Mar. 7.
“The Louisville and Nashville games this year will be games that test us big-time,” coach Charles Morrow said. “We will get opportunities and chances, but I don’t think it’s realistic for us to go into a game against professionals and think that we’re going to impose our will on that team.”
“It’s a game that we have to learn how to have success in other ways than they’re used to, and that helps us grow for sure,” he said.
Morrow noted that the spring season gives him a look at younger players and shows him what the team needs to work on going into the fall.
“Beyond defending, are we able to possess the ball? Are we able to control any segments of the game? Are we able to create goal-scoring opportunities?” Morrow named Bennie Harris, Simon Holden and Austin Eager as a trio of inexperienced defenders that would see significant action this spring.
Former Lipscomb standout Micah Bledsoe will suit up for Nashville as the team’s third goalkeeper. Morrow said he hopes Bledsoe sees some playing time, but that it doesn’t affect the Bisons’ preparation.
Buy tickets for the friendly match by calling the Lipscomb Ticket Office at 615-966-4373 or by visiting the Lipscomb Athletics’ website. Adults get in for $10. Children 6 years to 12 years pay $5. People under 5 years get in free.
Tickets are general admission. Only 1,000 are available. Bleacher seating is limited to approximately 350 seats.
“If you arrive early, you get a bleacher seat,” said Phillip Beeman, Lipscomb Athletics’ Program Coordinator for Business Services.“If you arrive late, you’re on the hill.”
The match starts at 4 p.m.
Photo courtesy of Lipscomb Athletics