DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 18, 2025) – The Mercy University Men's Soccer Team hosts University of the District of Columbia in their ECC opener on Saturday, September 20th at 12 p.m. for their Alumni Appreciation Game.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Saturday, September 20th 12 p.m.
Records: Mercy (2-2-1, 0-0 ECC), Dist. Columbia (3-1, 0-0 ECC)
Location: Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.
Last Meeting vs. Dist. Columbia
UDC earned a 2-1 win over Mercy in the ECC Championship Semifinals on November 10, 2024.
Scouting the Mavericks
Mercy opens the 2025 season looking to qualify for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in seven seasons and qualify for the ECC Championship for the seventh time in eight seasons under Head Coach Pedro Velazquez. The Mavericks went 9-3-5 last season, advancing to the Semifinals of the ECC Championship. Mercy reached as high as No. 10 nationally in 2024. Mercy was picked second in the ECC Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for Velazquez is senior Santiago Serrano who was named First Team All-ECC last season. Serrano had three goals and five assists last season. Senior Mateo Bacigalupo also returns after posting five goals and two assists in 2024. Senior Hugo Martin is back after netting three goals and two assists and sophomore Herman Borke also returns after posting two goals and two assists. Seniors Nicolás Cerda, Matteo Azambuja, Mohamed Souhail, Daniel Alvarez and Charles Lorenz, juniors Mathias Joergenrud and Diego Guzmán and sophomore Santiago Dutilh also return. Velazquez also adds transfers Mateo Sanchez, Philip Hauge, Pau Ramon, Juan Gonzalez, Mario de Roque Zazón, Nanakofi Boadu, Caleb James, Marcos Landivar, John Hollis, Peder Brest Knutsen and Justin Ruiz and freshmen Petter Sommerli Lind, Bautista Alvarez, Henrik Bratli Aanensen, Nicolai Lysoe, Erlend Skalstad and Christopher Nicolas-Martinez.
The Mavericks are coming off a 3-3 draw at West Chester on Wednesday. Mercy was led by senior Matteo Azambuja and sophomores Santiago Dutilh and Juan Gonzalez who scored goals. Mercy has been led by junior Mario de Roque Zazón who has a team-high six points on two goals and two assists. Senior Hugo Martin has two goals and Azambuja has a goal and two assists. Junior Pau Ramon, Dutilh and Gonzalez each have a goal and senior Mateo Bacigalupo has a team-high three assists. Sophomore Marcos Landivar has one assist and junior Mateo Sanchez is 2-2-1 in goal with 24 saves, a .686 save percentage and 2.20 goals-against average. Mercy is currently ranked No. 8 in the latest United Soccer Coaches East Region Poll. The Mavericks look to win their ECC opener for the seventh straight year.
Scouting the Firebirds
UDC is coming off a 3-1 loss at Seton Hill on Wednesday. The Firebirds were picked third in the ECC Preseason Poll after going 8-8-4 last season, winning the ECC Championship and qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. UDC has been led by Joao De Souza De Aquino who has a team-high seven points on three goals and one assist. Ignacio Lopez is second on the team with six points by way of two goals and two assists and David Serra has five points on two goals and an assist. Sergio Becerra is 3-1 in goal with 17 saves, a .708 save percentage and 1.75 goals-against average.
Next Game
Mercy plays at Queens on Saturday, September 27th at 7:30 p.m.
