Aug. 27, 2012
2012 Stony Brook Men's Soccer
Game #2: Stony Brook Seawolves (1-0-0) vs. Villanova Wildcats (1-0-0)
Tue., Aug. 28 • Villanova Soccer Complex • Villanova, Pa. • 4 p.m.
LIVE: STATS | VIDEO
Stony Brook Seawolves (1-0-0)
Head Coach: Ryan Anatol, second season
Career Record: 11-6-4
Record at SBU: same
Villanova Wildcats (1-0-0)
Head Coach: Tom Carlin, fifth season
Career Record: 132-58-20
Record at Nova: 33-35-11
The Matchup: Stony Brook seeks its first 2-0-0 start since the 2004 season when it faces Villanova of the BIG EAST on the road. This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams despite the relative proximity to one another in the Northeast Region (160 miles). The Wildcats are also seeking a 2-0-0 start to their 2012 season.
The Opponent: Villanova is coming off an 8-9-4 season in 2011, but the Wildcats gelled late in the season enough to put together a run to the BIG EAST semifinals. They return 10 starters from last season's team, including talented goalkeepers John Fogarty and Chris Bresnahan. The Nova defense allowed only 21 goals last season, recording a school-record nine clean sheets. The team will be looking towards junior Dylan Renna, last season's leading scorer, to provide offense. He assisted on a goal in Villanova's season-opening 5-1 win at Manhattan. The Wildcats were picked to finish fifth in the BIG EAST Red Division, which also includes nationally ranked St. John's, South Florida and Louisville.
Last Time Out: Stony Brook scored in the seventh minute of its season opener at Fairleigh Dickinson and never looked back, cruising to a 5-0 win over the Knights. Alejandro Fritz put his first collegiate shot past the goalkeeper for a goal at the 6:07 mark of the first half. Berian Gobeil Cruz followed with a 40th minute goal, and Antonio Crespi notched a goal in the 57th minute. The Seawolves defense helped create the next two goals, which were FDU own goals, allowing SB to match its Div. I program high for goals in a game.
What a Start: Freshman Alejandro Fritz scored a goal on his first collegiate shot, and it represented the game-winner in a 5-0 win over Fairleigh Dickinson. The effort netted Fritz America East Rookie of the Week honors.
Leo the Lion: Leonardo Fernandes has firmly placed himself in the upper echelon of collegiate soccer. A two-time America East Midfielder of the Year, Fernandes was named to the Hermann Trophy Watch List and was named a third-team preseason All-American by College Soccer News. Fernandes has 22 goals and 11 assists in his 57-game career with the Seawolves.
Strong Offense: Stony Brook led America East with 31 goals scored last season and should continue its strong offensive ways. The team returns 94 percent of its goal scoring from last season.
Preseason Pick: Stony Brook goes into 2012 as the favorite to repeat as America East champion. The Seawolves were picked first in the preseason coaches poll, receiving six out of a possible seven first-place votes.
Tough Schedule: Stony Brook has a tough 17-game schedule that includes nine matches against teams that finished in the top 100 in RPI last season.
Openers: Friday's win over Fairleigh Dickinson represented the earliest regular season game in Stony Brook history. SB improved to 22-23-5 all-time in season openers.
Up Next: Stony Brook opens its home schedule Friday night against Lehigh at LaValle Stadium at 7 p.m.
