Sept. 29, 2011
Men's Soccer Gameday
Game #11: Stony Brook Seawolves (4-4-2) vs. New Hampshire Wildcats (4-4-0)
Fri., Sept. 30 • Lewis Fields • Durham, N.H. • 3:30 p.m.
LIVE: STATS | VIDEO
Stony Brook Seawolves (4-4-2, 0-0 America East)
Head Coach: Ryan Anatol, first season
Career Record: 4-4-2
Record at SBU: same
New Hampshire Wildcats (4-4-0, 0-0-0 America East)
Head Coach: Rob Thompson, 17th season
Career Record: 128-123-48
Record at UNH: same
The Scene: Stony Brook completed its non-conference schedule with a .500 record and now begins its quest for an America East Championship as it opens conference play at New Hampshire. The Seawolves are looking to capture their third America East Championship while the Wildcats are in search of their first title. This is the 12th all-time meeting between these two teams, and UNH leads the series 4-2-5. Stony Brook has tied two America East teams at least five times in its history, Hartford being the other. Each of the last three meetings have resulted in ties, including last year's scoreless draw at LaValle Stadium. Stony Brook has not won at UNH since 2005 when the Seawolves won 2-0 en route to the regular season and tournament titles.
Last Time Out: After taking a 1-0 lead on Temple, the Seawolves gave up three goals to the Owls to fall behind 3-1 early in the second half. However, Stony Brook was resolved to win and came back with three goals in the final 40 minutes of action to come away with a 4-3 victory. Junior Leonardo Fernandes scored twice in the second half to help tie the match and then junior Kyle Schlesinger put home the game-winning goal with six minutes remaining in regulation to stun Temple. Junior Antonio Crespi also scored for the Seawolves, who recorded their third consecutive comeback victory.
Scouting New Hampshire: The Wildcats are an even 4-4-0 to start the season and are playing their typical tight defense of late. UNH has allowed only nine goals in eight matches this season and has won three consecutive matches via a 1-0 shutout. Last season, UNH allowed only 0.55 goals per game. New Hampshire is led on offense by senior Brad Hilton, who has two goals this season and led the team in goals last season with three. Star keeper Colin O'Donnell has graduated, leaving duties to freshman Travis Worra, who has saved 24 of 32 shots on goal so far this season.
The Comeback Kids: Stony Brook has fallen behind its opponent in each of its last four matches and has gone 3-1-0 in those games. The three comeback victories this season already surpasses the team's total comeback wins from 2010. The comeback from a two-goal deficit at Temple on Sept. 25 matches a two-goal comeback Stony Brook had against Quinnipiac on Sept. 26, 2010, nearly a year to the day of the two events.
Player of the Week Honors: Junior Leonardo Fernandes was named the America East Player of the Week and the ECAC Player of the Week for his five-point effort in three matches the week of Sept. 19-25. Fernandes assisted on a goal in SBU's 4-1 win over Fairfield and then provided two goals in Stony Brook's comeback win at Temple, including the game-tying goal.
Four Times the Charm: After scoring four goals on Sept. 20 vs. Fairfield and again on Sept. 25 at Temple, the Seawolves have now reached four goals in a game in each of the last two seasons. SBU defeated Central Connecticut State 4-2 during the 2010 season.
The High Point of the Weekend: The Seawolves topped High Point 3-1 on Sept. 9 on the strength of goals by juniors Raphael Abreu, Kyle Schlesinger and Leonardo Fernandes. The win helped Stony Brook finish second at the four-team Flash Gordon Invitational, hosted by High Point University. The victory was the first in the career of head coach Ryan Anatol.
First Goal: Senior Steven Medwinter notched both the team's first goal of 2011 and his first career goal in a Stony Brook uniform. The goal came in the second half against Duquesne on Sept. 4 and helped the Seawolves to a 1-1 tie.
Main Manz: With a 0-0 tie against Lehigh in the regular season opener, junior goalkeeper Stefan Manz recorded his 10th career shutout. He had eight during the 2010 season.
Preseason Poll: The Seawolves were picked to finish fourth in the America East preseason poll, according to the league's eight head coaches. Stony Brook is behind defending champion UMBC, Boston University and New Hampshire.
Strong Incumbents: Stony Brook returns 18 letterwinners from last season's team that finish 10-7-3 and advanced to the America East Championship semifinals. Among the returnees are America East Midfielder of the Year Leonardo Fernandes and second-team All-America East forward Raphael Abreu. The team returns 92 percent of its goal scoring offense, and Fernandes, Abreu and Berian Gobeil Cruz combined to score 19 goals.
Going for the Title: The Seawolves previously have captured two America East Championships, winning titles in 2005 and 2009. The team will look to win its third championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament, where it previously has won with a 2005 victory over Yale.
