DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 30, 2022) – The Mercy College men's soccer team plays at Adelphi University on Wednesday, August 31st at 7 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 31st 7 p.m.
Records: Mercy (2-0), Adelphi (2-0)
Location: Garden City, N.Y.
Last Meeting
Mercy earned a 3-1 victory over Adelphi on September 8, 2021.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy is coming off a 1-0 win over New Haven on Sunday in their home opener. Freshman Mateo Bacigalupo scored the game-winning goal in the 12th minute of action, off an assist from junior Carlos Fernandes. Bacigalupo was named to the ECC Honor Roll on Monday. Freshman Simon Steffensen made five saves to earn the win his collegiate debut. Senior Benjamin Van Buren scored the game-winning goal in the Mavericks season-opening win over Saint Rose in the 88th minute on Thursday and was named ECC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. The Mavericks won their season opener for the first time since 2019 and have started 2-0 for the first time since 2018. Mercy also won their seventh straight home opener on Sunday and look to start 3-0 for the first time since 2018. 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. Sophomore Eirik Elvestad made the start in goal in the season-opening win over Saint Rose on Thursday and made one save to earn the win. Junior Daniel Rodriguez leads the Mavericks with three points on a goal and an assist in his first two games as a Maverick. 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 Van Buren and Kevin Aguilar return on defense.
Scouting the Panthers
Adelphi has opened their 2022 season with wins over Wilmington and Post on Thursday and Saturday. The Panthers earned a 4-0 win over Wilmington and a 2-0 victory over Post. Adelphi was picked fourth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 9-7-1 last season, losing in the NE10 Championship Quarterfinals. Adelphi went 15-3-1 in 2019 and advanced to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers have been led by Victor Castel who has a team-high eight points on three goals and two assists. Rodrigo Descalzo Rocca is second on the team with six points by way of three goals. Benji Jones, Alessio Consoli and Pablo Herrera each have an assist. Descalzo Rocca was named First Team All-NE10 last season and scoring a team-high 14 goals last season. Daniel De La Heras returns in goal and is 2-0 this season with five saves, a 1.000 save percentage and 0.00 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Saturday, September 3rd when they play at Southern Connecticut State at 2 p.m.
