Men’s Soccer Hosts Northeastern in Season Opener Tomorrow

University of Massachusetts Men's Soccer Game Notes & Information
Game 1	Massachusetts vs. Northeastern
Date \| Time	Thursday, August 26, 2021 at 1 p.m.
Location	Amherst, Mass. / Rudd Field
Live Statistics	Stats
Watch	ESPN+
Twitter	@UMassM Soccer
Instagram	U Mass Men's Soccer
Facebook	UMass M en's Soccer

Season Opener
UMass opens up its 2021 campaign at Rudd Field on Thursday before hitting the road for its next two matches the following week. The Minutemen have taken on Northeastern in season openers the last two years, picking up a pair of wins with the most recent being a 2-0 win on the road last year behind goals from Ben Shepherd and Filippo Begliardi Ghidini in the second half.

A-10 Preseason Poll
UMass was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10 preseason coaches poll with 124 points. A trio of Minutemen in Graham Brenner, Alec Hughes, and Begliardi Ghidini were named to preseason all-conference team.

Last Season
The Minutemen earned one of 14 at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament last season following a 7-1-3 finish to the regular season that included a 3-3 draw at No. 25-ranked Virginia Tech. The bid marked the second time in the last four seasons that UMass reached the national postseason and marked the second time in five years under Fran O'Leary.

Among National Leaders In 2020
In addition to having the top goal scorers and assist men in the Atlantic 10, several Minutemen ranked among the nation's leaders in various categories. Midfielders Yosuke Hanya and Shepherd each dished out seven assists on the year to rank ninth nationally in the category and 16th in the nation in assists per game. Forward Alec Hughes ranked 20th in the nation in goals with seven and led the league while Begliardi Ghidini finished second in the conference in goals. Goalkeeper Marvyn Dorchin ranked 11th nationally in saves with 50.

Award Winners
Hughes, Hanya, and Graham Brenner all earned Atlantic 10 First-Team selections last season while Shepherd earned the second-team nod. Hughes, the A-10 Rookie of the Year, along with Hanya were both named to the United Soccer Coaches All-Region First-Team.

Mark those ?? because it's GAME WEEK!

See you at #FortRudd ?? on Thursday!#Flagship ?? pic.twitter.com/k1Tk8sceLL
— UMass Men's Soccer (@UMassMSoccer) August 23, 2021

Media day ??#Flagship ?? pic.twitter.com/JeiPhAqzEt
— UMass Men's Soccer (@UMassMSoccer) August 25, 2021

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Players Mentioned

Filippo Begliardi Ghidini

Graham Brenner

Marvyn Dorchin

Yosuke Hanya

Alec Hughes

University of Massachusets Athletics