Last Two Regular Season Conference Games on Tap for UAlbany This Week
Hartford: Live Stats • Live Stream
ALBANY, N.Y. - The University at Albany men's soccer team will play two
matches this week to complete their regular season schedule against America
East opponents. On Wednesday, Oct. 24, UAlbany (5-10, 2-3 AE) hosts
the University of Vermont at the Christian Plumeri Sports Complex before
traveling to the University of Hartford on Sunday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm
and 7:00 pm, respectively. Wednesday will be UAlbany's senior day game.
LAST MATCH
An early goal by Boston University's Parker Powell proved to be the
difference as the Terriers defeated UAlbany, 2-0. The Great Danes came up empty
on two goal-scoring opportunities, including an early shot by sophomore forward
Brandon Wilson that would have given UAlbany an early 1-0 lead.
Great Dane goalkeeper Tim Allen recorded four saves on six shots.
THIS WEEK'S OPPONENTS
Vermont (6-4-5, 3-0-2 AE) has yet to lose a game in conference play and
currently holds the top seed in the America East. The Catamounts have
been led by their defense who own the top goals against average (.92) and most
shutouts (six) in the conference. They have not allowed a goal in their last
three matches, all of which went into double overtime. The Catamounts were 1-0-2
over the most recent stretch.
Hartford (7-7-1, 1-3-1 AE) has the third best overall record in the
America East but struggled in-conference with just one win. They are coming off
a 1-0 win at Binghamton University, dropping their previous three contests to
Stony Brook University, the University of New Hampshire and Vermont. They are
led by freshman forward Javoni Simms who has eight goals on the season.
BATTLE FOR TOURNAMENT SEEDING
UAlbany currently sits sixth in the America East. Their 2-3
conference play record puts them one game behind UMBC (8-4-4, 2-2-1 AE) who
holds the No. 4 position. The Great Danes will look to clinch a
postseason berth by the end of the weekend.
WEDNESDAY IS SENIOR DAY
UAlbany will honor its senior class on Wednesday prior to the match. Four
Great Danes will be featured including defender Arsenio Elliot, forward Quintel
Gates, midfielder Jeff Pierre and goalkeeper Scott Kessler.
A GREAT DANE GAME-WINNER
Sophomore forward Brandon Wilson has scored a team-high three game-winning
goals this season to lead the Great Danes 2012 campaign. Most recently, Wilson
scored in the 71st minute with a one-touch shot inside the far
post against Hartwick College. The goal gave the Great Danes the 2-1 road
victory.
MANNING THE MIDDLE
Pomare Te Anau has found much success roaming the midfield since joining
the team in 2011. Te Anau has tallied eight assists in his career at UAlbany.
His most recent assist was off a pass sent to teammate Brandon Wilson
against Hartwick on Oct. 17.
A LAND OF HIS OWN
Australian goalkeeper Tim Allen, in his first collegiate soccer season,
has played well between the pipes. He has tallied 84 saves and one shutout in
15 games this season.
CONFERENCE ACCOLADES
Freshman midfielder Anthony Rozzano grabbed the first accolade of the
season for the Great Danes and the first of his career. His performance of two
goals and one assist from Aug. 27 thru Sept.3 garnered him America East
Conference Rookie of the Week.
Kit Alexieff was also named America East Conference Rookie of the
Week after recording two game-winning goals UMBC and New Hampshire in the
second week of October. His goals pushed UAlbany up from sixth place
to a tie with Binghamton for third place in the conference standings.
ARMBAND WORTHY
Dominic McGarr and Jeff Pierre were honored as the 2012 UAlbany men's soccer
captains this season. Both McGarr and Pierre played in all of the team's 19
games last season. McGarr will man the well-experienced back line this season
and Pierre will look to lead the midfielders after the departure of senior
captains Anthony DeSalvo and David Pinto
BACK LINE EXPERIENCE
UAlbany brings back all four starters from last season. 2012 co-captain middle
back Dominic McGarr comes back as the lone starter from last season having
played every game last season. Both Thomas Manz (middle back) and Christoffer
Nisser (right back) played 18 of the teams 19 games and Arsenio Elliott (left
back) started in 16 of 17 games.
The four returners helped hoist a team total four shutouts last season,
including a regular-season 0-0 tie with defending conference tournament winner
Stony Brook.
OFFENSIVE FIREPOWER RETURNING
The 2012 Great Danes return 19 of its 24 goals in 2011 and in total, UAlbany
only loses 11 of its 61 points from last season.
Senior forward Quintel Gates returns after leading the squad with seven
goals last season, including a team-leading three game-winners. Midfielder
Pomare Te Anau led the team with five assists and second in points with 13 and
goals with four. Brandon Wilson tallied three goals and an assist, Jeff Pierre
put two in the net along with two assists. Defender Thomas Manz tallied a lone
goal.
GREAT DANES ARE 2012 UNDERDOGS
UAlbany was chosen to finish tied for sixth in the America East with the
Binghamton Bearcats.
Second year head coach Trevor Gorman and the Great Danes are in familiar
territory having been chosen to finish eighth last season. But being picked
eighth last season didn't stop the Danes from an America East Semifinal
appearance.
