GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: Oct, 28, 2023
TIME: 7:00 PM ET |
LOCATION: Owsley B. Frazier Stadium
Louisville, KY.
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GAME DAY LINK
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LIVE STATS
LIVE VIDEO
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THE LEAD
Stetson men's soccer will finish off their 2023 regular season schedule on Saturday, Oct. 28 as they visit the Bellarmine Knights in Louisville, Kentucky. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium with live stats available on athletics.bellarmine.edu
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Hatters and the Knights have only met three times prior to Saturday's matchup with the Hatters holding a 1-0-2 record in the series. Although they drew even in their last meeting on Nov. 5, 2022, the Hatters will look for revenge as the Knights bounced the Hatters from the playoffs in that game, edging them out 0-3 in a penalty kick shootout. The series began on Oct. 23, 2021 and the Hatters won the first meeting by a score of 4-2 at home.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (6-4-4, 3-1-2 ASUN)
As the team prepares to conclude their regular season, Stetson finds itself holding the second spot in the conference standings with a season record of 6-5-4. The team's journey to this point has been marked by remarkable performances and exciting victories. Last week, they secured a playoff berth with a thrilling 3-1 win over the top-seeded Lipscomb Bisons, and this weekend, they aim to solidify the #2 seed.
In ASUN play, Stetson has proven their mettle, boasting a 3-1-2 record, amassing 11 points in the process. Their home record stands at 5-2-2 for the season, including a strong 2-0-1 record when playing in the conference. In their most recent outing, the Hatters showcased the potential of their underclassmen, with Afonso Conde scoring two goals and Xavi Csato, a standout freshman listed on the Top Drawer Soccer Top 100 Freshman list, contributing two assists.
A standout scoring streak by Lara, lasting for four consecutive games, came to an end but another prolific scorer, Andres Mata, stepped up, netting his seventh goal of the season in the win. Lara leads the team with an impressive nine goals (the third most in the ASUN) and 20 points, complemented by two assists, while Mata closely follows with seven goals and an assist, amounting to 15 points. Their shots on goal, 16 and 13 respectively, reflect their offensive aggression, especially considering Stetson's second-most attempted shots in the conference, totaling 229 shots.
What's particularly noteworthy is the depth of Stetson's scoring, with eight other Hatters contributing goals this season, including Xavi Csato and Gabriel Toro, who have each tallied two. Play-making is a significant strength, as demonstrated by 12 different players recording assists. Csato now leads the team in assists with 5, while Conde follows suit with 4. Stetson ranks second in the conference in both goals scored and assists, totaling 29 goals and 26 assists for a combined 84 points. Their average of 1.93 goals per game and the ability to strike first in nine out of 15 games highlight their offensive proficiency.
On the defensive front, the Hatters have allowed 25 goals, which is the fifth-fewest in the ASUN, and they've secured four shutouts this season. Notable players like Alvaro Gabancho, Alessandro Gabbani, Giuseppe Croce have consistently contributed to their solid defensive efforts, each logging 90 minutes of action in the win against Lipscomb.
In the goalkeeping department, Nicolo Radaelli has been a reliable presence, making 14 starts for Stetson and facing 147 shots, with 46 saves, the third-most in the conference. The team's overall strength is further reinforced by their recognition in the form of ASUN Player of the Week awards, with Lara, Gabancho, Appolon, and Radaelli all earning these honors, with Gabancho being a two-time winner for Defensive Player of the Week.
Furthermore, the individual talent within the team is acknowledged by Top Drawer Soccer, with Csato securing the #89 spot on the Top 100 freshman list, and Lara earning the #86 rank on the Top 100 players list.
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS (4-4-6, 2-2-2 ASUN)
As the 2023 men's soccer season reaches its finale, the Bellarmine Knights have had a dynamic journey. Beginning the season with a fifth-place ranking in the 2023 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Knights are currently holding a record of 4-4-6 and a conference record of 2-2-2.
In recent games, the Knights have faced a challenging 2-game losing streak, but they had previously notched victories against Queens, Wright State, and North Florida, along with a draw against FGCU. Their performance this season has seen them score a total of 16 goals while allowing 17 from their opponents, highlighting the competitiveness of their matches.
One standout aspect of the Knights' game is their ability to strike first in eight of their games. Leading the charge for the Knights is junior midfielder Brendan Schoemehl, who has made a significant impact with four goals in 12 games. He's been well-supported by five other Knights, each contributing a pair of goals this season.
Bellarmine's playmaking prowess has been evident with 21 assists recorded this season. Brock Pope has been a key facilitator with six assists to his name, while three other Knights have also tallied a trio of assists each.
In the goalkeeping department, graduate goalkeeper Matthew Brozovich has been a stalwart presence, starting in 13 games, facing a remarkable 161 shots, and making 47 saves, boasting a save percentage of .734. His contributions have been crucial to the Knights' defensive efforts, and he has been part of three shutouts this season. Additionally, freshman Tudor Iordan made a notable contribution by recording a shutout win against Wright State.
NEXT UP
Having already clinched a spot in the ASUN Championship, the Hatters will await and see where they are seeded in the bracket.
