Game #8
Daemen Wildcats (2-5-0, 1-2-0 ECC) vs Molloy Lions (4-3-1, 3-0-0 ECC)
DATE: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2
TIME: 11 a.m.
LOCATION: Amherst, N.Y. / Karrer Field
LIVE STATS: Via Daemen Athletics
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. BACK IN ACTION
Daemen continues their 2021 campaign when they welcome the Molloy Lions at 11 a.m. at Karrer Field in Amherst, N.Y. Saturday is the eighth all-time meeting between the programs. Molloy won the last matchup to date, 4-0, on October 14, 2019. Molloy leads the all-time series, 5-2-0. This will be Daemen's first contest since a 2-0 loss in the Thruway Rivalry against long-time rival, Roberts Wesleyan, in the Thruway Rivalry, 2-0, on Sept. 29. After more than 78 minutes of scoreless play, the Daemen men's soccer team surrendered a pair of late goals, in the 78th minute and then again in the final 30 seconds of the contest. This marked Daemen's third consecutive loss since their 4-1 victory against D'Youville on Sept. 18. The Wildcats only recorded one shot on net in the contest. Senior goalkeeper
Marcos Lerma Escobar (Zaragoza, Spain) was in net for a seventh consecutive start and recorded two saves in the loss. Daemen also registered two team saves, both in the second half. Wednesday was the third time Daemen was held scoreless in a contest in 2021 (Slippery Rock on Sept. 11 and University of Dist. Columbia on Sept. 25.)
2. BALANCED SCORING
Through the team's first seven contests, six players have combined for Daemen's total of eight goals while nine different players have recorded at least one point (team total of 22.) Juniors
Trey Buscaglia (East Amherst, N.Y.) and
Christian Lewin (Bobenheim-Roxheim, Germany) currently lead the Wildcats with two goals each. Buscaglia also leads the team in overall points (5.) Fellow veterans
Derek Bartlo (Williamsville, N.Y.),
Anthony Cupello (Rochester, N.Y.),
Pontus Lundin (Asmundtorp, Sweden) and
Dennis Montero Guerrero (Weingarten, Germany) round out the scoring with one goal apiece. Freshman midfielder
Vincent Ranieri (Spencerport, N.Y.) has contributed two of Daemen's six assists so far in the young season. Since scoring in the 80th minute of a 4-2 loss to Roberts Wesleyan on March 27, 2021, Daemen has now outscored their opponents, 15-13.
3. RETURNING VETERANS
Expectations for Daemen men's soccer are high this fall as 26 players from their 2020-21 roster return, many of whom were key contributors for their 3-2-0 finish. Daemen had a balanced attack offensively as nine goals were scored by six different players – and all are returning this fall. Strikers
Dennis Montero Guerrero (Weingarten, Germany) and
Christian Lewin (Bobenheim-Roxheim, Germany) and defender/midfielder Michel Holscher (Hamminkeln, Germany) accounted for six of the team's nine goals. Midfielder
Anthony Cupello (Rochester, N.Y.) finished with a team-high three assists after missing the end of the 2018 season and all of the 2019 campaign while recovering from an injury. Rejoining the Daemen defensive unit is junior
Pontus Lundin (Asmundtorp, Sweden). The Swedish native made a combined 29 starts in 2018 and 2019, and led the team in goals (3) and points (6) during his sophomore campaign. Key veterans
Derek Mancuso (Friendship, N.Y.) and
Jarrett Lecceadone (Randolph, N.Y.) will both compete as graduate students this fall. Senior
Marcos Lerma Escobar (Zaragoza, Spain) joins Lecceadone as a returning goalkeeper. Lerma Escobar, who transferred from Medaille College in spring 2020, recorded his first victory with the blue-and-white when he recorded a career-high 12 saves in Daemen's 3-1 victory versus RWC on April 25.
4. CONFERENCE PLAY COMMENCES
For the first time in two years, all East Coast Conference members in men's soccer returned to conference play this fall. Daemen men's soccer has been picked to finish ninth in the East Coast Conference according to the league's preseason poll which was released on August 26. Daemen earned 24 total points following their abbreviated season. As of Oct. 1, Molloy and Dist. Columbia remain in a tie for first place after moving to 3-0-0 last weekend. St. Thomas Aquinas and Bridgeport are currently tied for third place at 2-1-0 and Mercy and Roberts Wesleyan are currently tied for fifth at 1-1-0 overall. Daemen is currently tied for seventh with Queens with a 1-2-0 record. The ECC Tournament will feature the top four teams in the final regular season standings with the No. 1 and 2 seeds hosting semifinal games on Wednesday, Nov. 10; the highest remaining seed hosts the tournament finals on Saturday, Nov. 13.
5. ON THE HORIZON
Daemen continues their 2021 campaign when they host the St. Thomas Aquinas Spartans in an East Coast Conference matchup on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 1:30 PM at Karrer Field. This is the third game of a season-best four-game homestand for Daemen men's soccer.
