Last Two Regular Season Conference Games on Tap for UAlbany This Week

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 71^st 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.