DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 5, 2023) – The Mercy University men's soccer team hosts Adelphi University on Wednesday, September 6th at 3 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 6th 3 p.m.
Records: Mercy (1-1), Adelphi (0-2)
Location: Mercy Field
Last Meeting vs. Adelphi
Mercy earned a 3-3 draw at Adelphi on August 31, 2022.
Scouting the Mavericks
The Mavericks are coming off a 3-2 win over Saint Rose on Saturday. 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. Sophomore Johannes Hanken Tjostheim has a team-high five points on two goals and one assist and senior Carlos Fernandes has a team-high three assists. Bacigalupo also has a goal and Elvestad is 1-1 in goal with seven saves, a .636 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average.
Scouting the Panthers
Adelphi is coming off losses to Wilmington and Post to open the season. The Panthers went 9-5-6 last season advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Adelphi was picked in a tie for second in the NE10 Preseason Poll. NE10 Third Team All-Conference recipient Victor Castel returns for Adelphi and has a goal. Pablo Herrera also has a goal on the year and Daniel De La Heras is 0-2 in goal with 15 saves, a .750 save percentage and 2.50 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Saturday, September 9th when they host Southern Connecticut State at 4 p.m.
