GAME DAY INFORMATION
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DATE: Sept, 19, 2023
TIME: 6:00 PM ET |
LOCATION: Athletic Training Center
DeLand, Fla.
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GAME DAY LINK
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LIVE STATS
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THE LEAD
Stetson University Men's Soccer will return home for a brief one game stint as they host the Florida Atlantic Owls at the ATC on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at 6:00 PM. The Hatters are coming off their first conference game of the season, a 1-0 victory over North Florida, on Saturday. Midfielder
Andres Mata sent Stetson home with a victory, scoring the game-winning goal in the 78th minute.
INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the 18th time in program history that the Hatters will play Florida Atlantic University in men's soccer. Although the Owls have the edge when in Boca Raton, leading Stetson 14-4-1, the Hatters have the advantage in DeLand, holding an 11-8-1 record. Overall, Florida Atlantic leads in the series 24-15-3 but since 2006, Stetson has switched gears, taking a 9-7-2 advantage.
The two first meet back on Sept. 29, 1984 when the Hatters hosted the Owls. The result was a FAU 2-1 win in the inaugural game. The Hatters enter the game on a one-game losing streak in the series after falling to the Owls on the road in a 1-2 loss on Aug. 31, 2022.
SCOUTING THE HATTERS (3-2-2, 1-0-0 ASUN)
In their latest triumph, the Stetson Hatters showcased their unwavering commitment to excellence on the soccer field, securing a well-deserved 1-0 victory over North Florida in their first conference game of the season. Building upon their strong start to the season, the Hatters demonstrated their signature style of relentless aggression and exceptional teamwork.
Right from the opening whistle, the Hatters wasted no time in establishing their dominance. Their offensive prowess was on full display as they outshot the Ospreys by an impressive margin of 25-11 throughout the game.
What makes Stetson's success even more impressive is the balanced contributions from throughout their lineup. Key players like Mata, Luis Lara, and Alessandro Gabbani led the charge with four shots each, while Gabriel Toro closely followed with three attempts. Gabbani and Giuseppe Croce made significant impacts, tallying two shots on goal, further exemplifying the team's depth and versatility.
As we delve into the Stetson Hatters' season statistics, some notable trends emerge. Lara has been leading the charge with a whopping 20 attempted shots, showcasing his offensive prowess. Following closely, Mata and Charles Ahl have contributed 14 and 12 shots, respectively, while Afonso Conde, Andres Freire, and Gabbani have each attempted 10 shots this season.
When it comes to overall points, Mata and Xavi Csato share the spotlight, with both players accumulating seven points apiece. Their contributions include a pair of goals and a pair of assists each, highlighting their mpact on the pitch.
In the goalkeeper's box, Nicolo Radaelli has been a steadfast presence, starting all seven games this season. He has faced a total of 59 shots, showcasing his resilience, and has made 20 crucial saves while allowing only 8 goals. Impressively, Radaelli has been part of three shutouts this season, one of which was achieved in collaboration with Michael Smith, underlining the strength of Stetson's defensive unit.
Stetson now stands proudly at the summit of the ASUN standings, holding a commendable 3-2-2 season record and a perfect 1-0-0 start to their conference play.
SCOUTING THE OWLS (1-2-3, 0-1-0 AAC)
The Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Owls are currently navigating their soccer season with some ups and downs. In their most recent match, they were unable to find the back of the net, resulting in a 2-0 defeat against Tulsa, with goalkeeper Rotem Fadida making five saves.
As they gear up for their upcoming matchup against Stetson, it's worth noting that this game marks the penultimate non-conference match of the season for the Owls. After this, the only remaining non-AAC opponent on their schedule is Florida Gulf Coast University on October 24.
So far this season, the Owls have posted a record of 1-2-3 overall, with a conference record of 0-1-0. Their lone victory came in the season opener, where they triumphed 6-4 over (RV) Lipscomb. Their offensive statistics indicate they've scored 9 goals while conceding 11, with 71 shots taken and 84 shots against. They've also recorded 12 assists and 28 saves.
Victor Claudel has been leading the Owls' offensive charge with 3 goals, 2 assists, 8 points, and 18 shots. Tom Abrahamsson is another key contributor with 2 goals, 3 assists, 7 points, and 8 shots.
Rotem Fadida has been the consistent presence in goal for FAU, starting in every game. He's faced 84 shots, making 28 saves, boasting a shot percentage of 0.718, and earning 1 shutout.
Notably, Florida Atlantic freshman Oliver Moller-Jensen was named the American Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week for week 1, showcasing his impact on the team's offense.
Joey Worthen, who took the helm as head coach in February 2017, is in his sixth season as the head of FAU's soccer program.
NEXT UP
The Hatters will hit the road once again, however, they will stay within the confines of Florida as they head to Fort Myers to resume ASUN play against Florida Gulf Coast University. Kickoff against the Eagles is set for 7:00 PM on Saturday, Sept. 23 at the Athletic Training Center.
