MEN'S SOCCER NOTEBOOK
Ranked second in the NSCAA East Region, the Vermont men's soccer team completes a four-game road trip with a pair of non-conference games this week against the Bryant Bulldogs and the Marist Red Foxes. The Catamounts face winless Bryant on Wednesday (Sept. 14) at 4 p.m. before traveling to play undefeated Marist on Saturday (Sept. 17) at 7 p.m. Links to live video and live stats for both games are available below.
RELATED LINKS
Bryant: Video | Live Stats
Marist: Video ($) | Live Stats
NSCAA East Rankings
ODU SOCCER CLASSIC CHAMPS
Vermont (5-1-0) was crowned the champion of the 41st annual ODU Soccer Classic this past Sunday in Virginia, despite suffering a 2-1 loss at Virginia Commonwealth for its first defeat of the season. The Catamounts' winning streak to begin the season came to an end at five to match their best start since 2005. UVM defeated host and previously unbeaten Old Dominion 3-1 on Friday night to open the tournament. Defender
Loftur Eriksson was named the tournament MVP, while
Arthur Bacquet,
Stefan Lamanna, and
Brian Wright were all selected to the All-Tournament Team.
NATIONAL LEADERS
Brian Wright continues to lead the country in assists (7) through six games, while
Bernard Yeboah is tied for second nationally in goals (7). Wright (15) and Yeboah (14) remain the top point scoring duo in the NCAA as both rank among the top-5 overall scorers. As a team, UVM is tied for 13th in the nation in scoring offense with 2.50 goals per game. The Catamounts are receiving 33 votes in this week's NSCAA national top-25 rankings after sitting 23rd overall last week.
SCOUTING BRYANT
Bryant is winless at 0-5-0 heading into Wednesday afternoon's meeting in Rhode Island and has been shut out in each of its last four contests overall. The Bulldogs traveled west to Colorado last weekend as they fell 6-0 to Air Force on Friday and dropped a 2-0 final to 11th-ranked Denver on Sunday. Bryant, which was picked to finish fifth in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll along with Robert Morris, posted a 3-8-5 (1-3-3) record last season but managed a 3-2-3 mark at home. Senior Chris McCormick has the only Bulldog goal this season, which came in the opener during a 3-1 loss to UNH.
SCOUTING MARIST
Off to its best start since 2003, Marist is undefeated (4-0-1) entering the weekend matchup and ranks third in the NSCAA Northeast Region. The Red Foxes settled for second place in UNC Wilmington's SpringHill Suites Classic this past weekend despite winning both of their games against Winthrop (2-0) and Dayton (2-1). Michael Lorello, who was named the MAAC Rookie of the Week on Monday, recorded four points in the tournament and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team with Cameron Harr and Mark Rajovic. Harr leads Marist with six goals and 13 points on the season to pace the MAAC in both categories.
SERIES HISTORIES
Last year marked the first-ever meetings for the Catamounts against Bryant and Marist, with both games contested in Burlington. Vermont downed Bryant 2-1 at Virtue Field thanks to
Stefan Lamanna's one-time volley in the 70th minute, while
Clay Gattey netted his first career goal in the win. UVM also met Marist at Virtue as the Cats doubled up the Red Foxes 4-2.
Brian Wright scored twice and
Bernard Yeboah added the eventual game-winner early in the second half.
WHO'S NEXT
Vermont returns to Virtue Field to begin a four-game homestand on Wednesday, Sept. 21 when it hosts UMass under the lights at 7 p.m. UVM then plays regional rival Dartmouth on Saturday, Sept. 24 at 2 p.m. in Burlington. Both games will be streamed live for free via AmericaEast.TV.
