DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Aug. 30, 2023) – The Mercy University men's soccer team opens their 2023 season on Thursday, August 31st when they play at Southern New Hampshire University at 4 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Thursday, August 31st 4 p.m.
Records (2022): Mercy (12-3-5), Southern N.H. (8-6-4)
Location: Hooksett, N.H.
Date/Time: Saturday, September 2nd 3 p.m.
Records (2022): Mercy (12-3-5), Saint Rose (9-5-4)
Location: Mercy Field
Last Meeting vs. Southern N.H.
Mercy earned a 3-0 win over Southern New Hampshire on October 5, 2022 in Dobbs Ferry.
Last Meeting vs. Saint Rose
Mercy earned a 2-1 win at Saint Rose on August 25, 2022.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy opens the 2023 season looking to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in five seasons and qualify for the ECC Championship for the fifth time in six seasons under eighth-year head coach Pedro Velazquez. The Mavericks went 12-3-5 last season winning their fifth ECC Championship and advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Mercy returns three of their top five goal scorers and eight student-athletes who started at least 10 matches in 2022. The Mavericks were picked first in the ECC Preseason Poll and return their leading goal scorer from last year in Third Team All-ECC selection junior Luis Silva who had six goals and two assists last season. Second Team All-ECC recipient senior Daniel Rodriguez also returns after starting 19 games last season with four goals and five assists. Sophomore Mateo Bacigalupo returns after scoring three goals in his freshman campaign. Third Team All-ECC honoree junior Martin Penafiel netted two goals and two assists last season and ECC Preseason Defensive Co-Player of the Year junior Eirik Elvestad returns in goal after going 11-2-5 last season with 64 saves, a .790 save percentage and 0.95 goals-against average. He was named ECC Co-Goalkeeper of the Year and All-Region last season. Returning on defense is reigning ECC Rookie of the Year sophomore Mathias Schilbred-Eriksen who had six assists last season. The Mavericks are 4-2 in season openers under Velazquez. Mercy has won seven straight home openers dating back to 2015.
Scouting the Penmen
Southern New Hampshire went 8-6-4 last season, falling to Franklin Pierce in the NE10 Championship Semifinals. The Penmen were picked second in the NE10 Preseason Poll, receiving one first-place vote. Southern New Hampshire is looking to make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016. The Penmen return four of their top six scorers from last season, including leading scorer Luca Shubitidze who notched 21 points on nine goals and three assists. Philipp Hermann was the team's second-leading scorer last season after recording four goals and two assists. Fellow NE10 All-Conference performers Isnaba Namussé and Mikel Cortazar are also back. Preston Neal returns in goal after going 6-5-4 with a 1.45 goals-against average and .656 save percentage.
Scouting the Golden Knights
Saint Rose went 9-5-4 last season, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament where they dropped a 2-1 double-overtime decision to Notre Dame (Ohio). The Golden Knights are picked fifth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after making their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance. Leading the returners for Saint Rose is Hilmar Halldorsson who was named First Team All-Region last season after leading the team with 12 goals and 26 points. Nick Koenig also returns after recording five goals and three assists. Returning in goal is Tomas Rozman who went 8-3-3 in goal in 2022 with 66 saves, a .795 save percentage and 1.18 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Wednesday, September 6th when they host Adelphi at 3 p.m.
