GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: Nov, 6, 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 look to advance to the ASUN Championship Final for the first time since 2018 as they take on the Bellarmine Knights in the ASUN Semifinals on Monday, Oct. 6 at Owsley B. Frazier Stadium in Louisville, KY at 7:00 PM ET
INSIDE THE SERIES
The Hatters and the Knights have only met four times prior to this playoff matchup with the Hatters holding a 1-1-2 record in the series. The Hatters will look for revenge as the Knights not only defeated them in the final game of the regular season on Oct. 28 but they also bounced the Hatters from the playoffs last season, 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 (7-6-4, 3-2-2 ASUN)
As their postseason run continues, the Hatters will meet again with Bellarmine following the conclusion of their regular season, which culminated in a loss to the Knights. Beating the Knights would mean a shot at a conference title for the Hatters as they last made the finals in 2018 and last won in 2009.
Stetson's season has been marked by thrilling victories and standout performances. Notably, victories against NC State and FAU, alongside a spectacular 3-1 win over top-seeded Lipscomb to secure their playoff berth, were just some of the defining wins over their season. Despite a 3-2-2 ASUN record, totaling 11 points, the team faced road challenges with a 2-4-2 record away from DeLand, their two victories came against UNF and Jacksonville in the playoffs.
Key players such as Luis Lara and Andres Mata have been pivotal in the team's success. Lara, netting ten goals and accumulating 22 points (the third-highest in the ASUN), along with two assists, showcased a streak of scoring in four consecutive games during the season. Mata, with eight goals and an assist totaling 17 points, was another formidable force in the team's offensive lineup. Gabancho scored the opening goal in the 2-0 shutout over the Dolphins in the Quarterfinals with a header off a corner kick from Charles Ahl. Afonso Conde, who was named to the All-Freshman team, scored the dagger goal in the playoff win over Jacksonville. Their combined 33 shots on goal reflect the team's offensive aggression, especially given their second-highest shot attempts in the conference, totaling 261 shots.
The Hatters' strength lies not only in Lara and Mata but also in the depth of their scoring roster. Nine additional players have contributed goals this season, exemplifying the team's balanced offensive approach. Play-making has been a significant asset, with 12 different players recording assists. Freshman of the Year, Xavi Csato, leads the team in assists with five, and Conde, closely following with four, have helped the team secure the second position in the conference for both goals scored and assists, totaling 33 goals and 29 assists for a combined 95 points.
The team's prowess is further underscored by their average of 1.94 goals per game and their tendency to take the lead first in 10 of their matches. On the defensive front, the Hatters allowed the fourth-lowest number of goals in the ASUN (28), recording five shutouts. Lara, Mata, Charles Ahl, and Alessandro Gabbani all logged over 1000 minutes each during the season, contributing significantly to the team's stability.
In goal, Nicolo Radaelli has been a dependable presence, making 16 starts and facing 169 shots while securing 50 saves, the second-most in the conference
SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS (5-4-6, 3-2-2 ASUN)
The Bellarmine Knights concluded the 2023 men's soccer season on a high note, picking up a 3-2 victory over the Hatters. This triumph not only secured them the coveted #2 seed but also granted them the hosting rights in the playoffs. Commencing the season with a modest fifth-place ranking in the 2023 Men's Soccer Preseason Coaches' Poll, the Knights have defied expectations, entering the playoffs with a solid 5-4-6 overall record and a conference standing of 3-2-2.
In their climactic final game, the Knights jumped out to an early 3-0 lead over the Hatters, adding an extra layer of excitement to their impending playoff clash. Notably, the Knights had previously eliminated the Hatters from the playoffs in the preceding season, intensifying the anticipation for this matchup.
Throughout this season, Bellarmine's performance has been characterized by a competitiveness, exemplified by both their 19 goals scored and 19 goals conceded, showcasing the tight contests they've engaged in.
A distinctive feature of the Knights' strategy has been their consistent ability to seize the initiative, leading the charge in nine of their games. Spearheading their offensive endeavors is junior midfielder Brendan Schoemehl, a pivotal figure with an impressive tally of four goals across 13 games. Schoemehl has received support from six other players, each contributing at least two goals, including Alex Halevy, who delivered a crucial pair goals in the season finale against Stetson.
Noteworthy is Bellarmine's adept playmaking, illustrated by their 22 assists this season. Brock Pope, recognized as the ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, has been instrumental in this regard, boasting eight assists. Additionally, three other Knights have each accumulated three assists, showcasing a well-distributed contribution in creating goal-scoring opportunities.
In the goalkeeping domain, graduate goalkeeper Matthew Brozovich has been a bedrock for the Knights, earning the title of Goalkeeper of the Year. Brozovich, having started in 14 games, faced an impressive 167 shots, making 48 saves with a notable save percentage of .727. His presence has been vital to Bellarmine's defensive efforts, contributing to three shutouts throughout the season.
LAST ROUND HIGHLIGHTS
NEXT UP
The ASUN Championship Final will be Saturday November 11 at the highest remaining seed's host site. The winner of #3 Stetson vs. #2 Bellarmine will play the winner of #5 Central Arkansas vs. #1 Lipscomb.
