University of Massachusets Athletics
Friday, August 25
Amherst, Mass.
4 p.m.
University of Massachusetts
vs
St. Francis
Men's Soccer Opens 2017 On Friday Afternoon
August 24, 2017 | Men's Soccer
Minutemen host St. Francis as part of double header at Rudd Field.
AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass men's soccer team kicks off the 2017 campaign this Friday afternoon as the Minutemen host St. Francis at Rudd Field. The game will be the second of a doubleheader as the women's team hosts Stony Brook at at 1 PM with the men's match set for a 4 PM kickoff. Admission to both are free and the games will be streamed live on the Atlantic 10 Digital Network.
The Minutemen were picked eighth in the 2017 Atlantic 10 Coaches Preseason Poll. UMass split a pair of preseason exhibition matches falling 2-0 at Northeastern before defeating Assumption 3-0 last Saturday at home.
Following Friday's contest, UMass will return home again on Sunday (3:30 PM) against Sacred Heart.
Massachusetts closed the 2016 schedule with a 4-2-2 record to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10 standings. Overall, UMass was 7-9-3 last season while going undefeated against A-10 teams at home (3-0-1). The Minutemen were the No. 1 defense in 2016 in A-10 matches conceding just four goals total in league play while pitching four shutouts at home.
Entering year three of the Fran O'Leary era, UMass will look to continue that momentum this upcoming season.
Offensively, the Minutemen return Alex DeSantis who was second on the team last year in points (10), goals (3), and assists (4). Defensively, UMass returns the bulk of the line-up but will look to replace all-conference performers in centerback Josh Jess and goalkeeper Jorge Becerra. Bardia Asefnia will take over in goal for the Minutemen with eight career matches under his belt in two seasons with the Minutemen.
A total of nine newcomers join the squad this season including a trio of transfers: Jack Fulton (Feather River College), Jamie Rosiello (Boston University), and Andronikos Keklikoglou (University of Portsmouth [U.K.]).
The opening portion of the schedule features a three-match home stand for UMass as part of 11 overall dates at Rudd Field.Â
The 2017 season also marks the 10th Anniversary of the 2007 College Cup Team which will be honored on Oct. 7 during the Duquesne match as part of Alumni Weekend. The 2007 season saw the Minutemen make one of the most magical runs in college soccer history to reach the NCAA semifinals for the first time in program history.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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The Minutemen were picked eighth in the 2017 Atlantic 10 Coaches Preseason Poll. UMass split a pair of preseason exhibition matches falling 2-0 at Northeastern before defeating Assumption 3-0 last Saturday at home.
Following Friday's contest, UMass will return home again on Sunday (3:30 PM) against Sacred Heart.
Massachusetts closed the 2016 schedule with a 4-2-2 record to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10 standings. Overall, UMass was 7-9-3 last season while going undefeated against A-10 teams at home (3-0-1). The Minutemen were the No. 1 defense in 2016 in A-10 matches conceding just four goals total in league play while pitching four shutouts at home.
Entering year three of the Fran O'Leary era, UMass will look to continue that momentum this upcoming season.
Offensively, the Minutemen return Alex DeSantis who was second on the team last year in points (10), goals (3), and assists (4). Defensively, UMass returns the bulk of the line-up but will look to replace all-conference performers in centerback Josh Jess and goalkeeper Jorge Becerra. Bardia Asefnia will take over in goal for the Minutemen with eight career matches under his belt in two seasons with the Minutemen.
A total of nine newcomers join the squad this season including a trio of transfers: Jack Fulton (Feather River College), Jamie Rosiello (Boston University), and Andronikos Keklikoglou (University of Portsmouth [U.K.]).
The opening portion of the schedule features a three-match home stand for UMass as part of 11 overall dates at Rudd Field.Â
The 2017 season also marks the 10th Anniversary of the 2007 College Cup Team which will be honored on Oct. 7 during the Duquesne match as part of Alumni Weekend. The 2007 season saw the Minutemen make one of the most magical runs in college soccer history to reach the NCAA semifinals for the first time in program history.
For complete coverage of the UMass men's soccer team, follow the Minutemen on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @UMassMSoccer and online at www.UMassAthletics.com.
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Players Mentioned
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