GAME DAY INFORMATION
|
DATE: Sept, 1, 2023
TIME: 7:00 PM |
LOCATION: Athletic Training Center
DeLand, Florida
|
|
GAME DAY LINK
|
LIVE STATS
|
|
|
|
THE LEAD
The Stetson University Men's Soccer team returns home for their second home game of the season and their first of a two-game homestead after falling to UCF in a close 2-1 contest on Sunday. The Hatters will host the St. Thomas Tommies on Friday, Sept. 1 at the ATC, starting at 7:00 PM.
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the first time in program history that the Hatters will play the St. Thomas Tommies in men's soccer. Not only have the Hatters never played St. Thomas, they have never played anyone in Summit League before.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (0-1-1, 0-0 ASUN)
Still seeking their first win of the season, the Stetson Hatters men's soccer team kicks off their season with a 0-1-1 record.
In a thrilling match against the College of Charleston, they rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to secure a hard-fought 2-2 draw. The team's resilience was evident as they showcased their ability to regroup and fight back.
Taking on the formidable UCF Knights, who had recently triumphed over a top-ranked opponent, Stetson displayed their competitive spirit once again. Despite a narrow 2-1 loss, the Hatters held their ground against tough opposition, proving their mettle and willingness to face challenges head-on.
Key players have emerged as crucial contributors to the team's performance. Jayden Gonsalves marked the team's first goal of the season, bolstering the backline alongside defensive talents like Kelvin Zinck, a pre-season All-ASUN selection, and newcomer Ross Appolon.
Andres Freire and Xavi Csato displayed their goal-scoring ability, both delivering crucial moments by finding the back of the net. Afonso Conde leads the team with a pair of assists, while Andres Mata also contributed an assist in the opener. Notably, Csato's contribution included his first career goal.
In the heart of the team's defense, goalkeeper Nicolo Radaelli has lived up to his Fan Voted Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year title. Despite conceding two goals in the first half against the College of Charleston, Radaelli's exceptional second-half performance kept his team in the game and allowed for a comeback. His heroics continued in Orlando, where he made a stunning eight saves out of 17 shots faced against the UCF Knights, 10 of which were on target..
SCOUTING THE TOMMIES (0-2-0, 0-0 SUMMIT)
St. Thomas Tommies wrapped up the 2022 season with a 3-12-2 record, which included a 2-5-1 standing in the Summit League and a challenging 0-9 away record. Having joined the Summit League three years ago, the Tommies secured a pair of conference victories in each of their inaugural two seasons. This time around, they find themselves in a similar position, predicted to land in fifth place according to the 2023 conference preseason poll.
The Tommies have faced early challenges this season, entering the upcoming game with a 0-2-0 record. Their opening match against Northwestern ended in a 1-2 defeat, followed by a 0-3 setback against UIC. As they make their way to DeLand, this marks the commencement of their Sunshine State campaign – a crucial juncture for the team as they attempt to turn the tide.
As for their offensive efforts, the Tommies have found the back of the net just once so far this season. This solitary goal came courtesy of sophomore midfielder Oliver Bieleveldt, who capitalized on an opportunity in the 56th minute of their first match. Defensively, the spotlight falls on their freshman goalkeeper hailing from Germany, Moritz Krenc. Despite facing a barrage of 29 shots, Krenc has proven his fortitude by making 12 saves so far, nine of which came against the Flames.
NEXT UP
The Hatters will stay at home to finish their homestand as they host the NC State Wolfpack on Monday at the ATC at 7:00 PM. The Labor Day matchup will be their first time playing against NC State in program history.
