DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Sept. 2, 2025) – The Mercy University men's soccer team opens its 2025 season on Thursday, September 4th when they play at East Stroudsburg University at 1 p.m.
Who, When and Where
Date/Time: Thursday, September 4th 1 p.m.
Records (2024): Mercy (9-3-5), East Stroudsburg (8-4-5)
Location: East Stroudsburg, Pa.
Last Meeting vs. East Stroudsburg
Mercy earned a 0-0 draw against East Stroudsburg on September 5, 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 4-3-1 in season openers under Velazquez.
Scouting the Warriors
East Stroudsburg went 8-4-5 last season. The Warriors were picked third in the PSAC Eastern Division Preseason Poll. Leading the returners for East Stroudsburg is Nathan Bradway who had three goals and four assists in 2024. Ryan Kiernan also returns after posting three goals and Jose Rivera is back after recording two goals and two assists. Kevin Kretschman is back after going 3-0-3 in goal with 14 saves, a .875 save percentage and three shutouts.
Next Game
Mercy plays at Southern New Hampshire on Saturday, September 6th at 1 p.m.
