DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 7, 2023) – The Mercy University men's soccer team hosts Southern Connecticut State University on Saturday, September 9th at 4 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Saturday, September 9th 4 p.m.
Records: Mercy (1-1-1), Southern Connecticut State (1-0-1)
Location: Mercy Field
Last Meeting vs. Southern Connecticut State
Mercy dropped a 3-1 decision at Southern Connecticut State on September 3, 2022.
Scouting the Mavericks
The Mavericks are coming off a 1-1 draw against Adelphi on Wednesday. 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 was named ECC Offensive Player of the Week on Monday and has a team-high seven points on three goals and one assist. Senior Carlos Fernandes was named to the ECC Honor Roll on Monday and has a team-high three assists. Bacigalupo has a goal and an assist on the year and Elvestad is 1-1-1 in goal with nine saves, a .643 save percentage and 1.67 goals-against average.
Scouting the Owls
Southern Connecticut earned a 2-0 win over Dominican in their season opener on August 31st before earning a 1-1 draw against Bridgeport on Sunday. The Owls were picked fourth in the NE10 Preseason Poll after going 9-5-3 last season, falling in the First Round of the NE10 Tournament. Southern Connecticut State has been led by Zico Groenveld who was named to the NE10 Honor Roll on Monday after recording a goal and two assists last week for a team-high four points. Jacob Rose and Tyler Doherty also have goals and Alex Da Cunha and Jalen Jean both have assists. Devin Juan was also named to the NE10 Honor Roll on Monday and has 10 saves, with a 1-0-1 record, .909 save percentage and 0.50 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy resumes action on Wednesday, September 13th when they play at American International at 7 p.m.
