DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 27, 2022) – The Mercy College men's soccer team hosts University of New Haven in their home opener on Sunday, August 28th at 3 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Sunday, August 28th 3 p.m.
Records: Mercy (1-0), New Haven (0-1)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Last Meeting
Mercy earned a 2-1 win over New Haven on September 26, 2007.
Scouting the Mavericks
The Mavericks are coming off a 2-1 win over Saint Rose on Thursday in their season opener. Senior Benjamin Van Buren scored the game-winning goal in the 88th minute off an assist from Daniel Rodriguez. Rodriguez also scored his first goal as a Maverick in his Mercy debut and sophomore Eirik Elvestad made one save in goal to earn the win. The Mavericks won their season opener for the first time since 2019. Mercy will be facing New Haven for the first time since 2007. The Mavericks last started 2-0 in 2018 and Mercy has won six straight home openers dating back to 2015. Mercy enters the 2022 season looking to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the third time in four seasons and qualify for the ECC Championship for the fourth time in five seasons under seventh-year head coach Pedro Velazquez. The Mavericks went 9-5-2 last season and missed qualifying for the ECC Championship due to a tiebreaker. Mercy has posted a winning record in each of Velazquez's five seasons as head coach. The Mavericks are looking to win their first ECC Championship since 2019 and were picked third in the ECC Preseason Poll. Mercy's leading returning scorer is junior Daniel Dalmau who had nine points on four goals and one assist in 2021. Senior David Breitenbach also returns after posting two goals and three assists. Sophomore Martin Penafiel returns after recording two goals and two assists and seniors Van Buren and Kevin Aguilar return on defense. In goal, Elvestad returns after going 4-1-1 with 15 saves, a 0.46 goals-against average and .833 save percentage in seven games.
Scouting the Chargers
New Haven opened their 2022 season with a 2-1 loss to Bridgeport at home on Thursday. The Chargers went 8-6-2 last season and qualified for the NE10 Championship. New Haven was picked seventh in the NE10 Preseason Poll. The Chargers return just ten student-athletes from last year's team and are led by Tyler Pereira who scored the Chargers lone goal against Bridgeport on Thursday. Dante Polletta dished out an assist against the Purple Knights and Themis Kastoris made four saves to take the loss on Thursday.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Wednesday, August 31st when they play at Adelphi at 7 p.m.
