Game #6
Daemen Wildcats (2-3-0, 1-0-0 ECC) vs University of District Columbia Firebirds (2-4-0, 1-0-0 ECC)
DATE: SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
TIME: 2 p.m.
LOCATION: Washington D.C. / UDC Field
LIVE STREAM: Via ECC Sports Network
LIVE STATS: Via UDC Athletics
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. BACK IN ACTION
Daemen continues their 2021 campaign when they visit our nation's capital to face the University of District Columbia Firebirds at 2 p.m. at UDC Field in Washington, D.C. Saturday is the eighth all-time meeting between the programs. The Firebirds won the last matchup to date, 3-0, on Nov. 2, 2019 at Williamsville South High School. UDC leads the all-time series, 6-0-1. This will be Daemen's first contest since a 4-1 non-conference loss versus Mercyhurst on Sept. 22.
Pontus Lundin (Asmundtorp, Sweden) scored for Daemen via the penalty kick in the 13th minute before the Lakers responded with four unanswered goals, three of which came in the second half. The Wildcats were outshot by the Lakers, 15-9, and out-edged in corner kicks, 10-1, in this contest. Senior goaltender
Marcos Lerma Escobar (Zaragoza, Spain) was in net for a fifth consecutive start for the Wildcats and recorded five saves in the loss. Wednesday was the first time Lundin scored in a contest since his last penalty kick goal against Gannon on Oct. 7, 2019. All four of his career goals are via the penalty kick. This was Daemen's first penalty kick goal as a program since
Craig Buchanan did so in a 4-2 loss against Bloomsfield on Oct. 29, 2019 at Karrer Field. The Wildcats are 12 for their last 12 penalty kick opportunities. Their last missed penalty kick attempt came against Gannon on Sept. 13, 2016. Wednesday was also the Daemen allowed four goals in a contest as a program since a 4-2 loss to Roberts Wesleyan on March 27, 2021. This is also the second time Daemen has allowed multiple goals in a contest this season (2-1 loss at Walsh on Sept. 2.) With the loss, Daemen has now won five of their last eight contests dating back to rattling off three straight victories to conclude their COVID-19 abbreviated slate in spring 2021.
2. BALANCED SCORING
Through the team's first five 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, 15-10.
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 Sept. 23, Mercy, Daemen, Molloy, Bridgeport and Dist. Columbia are currently in a five-way tie for first place after winning their conference openers this past weekend. 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 their long-time rival, the Roberts Wesleyan Redhawks, in an East Coast Conference matchup on Wednesday, Sept. 29 at 3:30 PM at Karrer Field.
UNIVERSITY OF DISTRICT COLUMBIA SCOUTING REPORT
UDC is a member of the East Coast Conference. The Firebirds saw their 2020 season canceled due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Their season-opening 3-2 loss to Seton Hill on Sept. 3 was the first contest for the Firebirds in 664 days. The Firebirds enter Saturday's contest with a 2-4-0 overall record and seek their third consecutive win following victories against Slippery Rock (3-2 in overtime on Sept. 15) and ECC opponent St. Thomas Aquinas (4-1 on Sept. 18.) UDC is led by 10-year head coach Matt Thompson. In their last full season back in 2019, Thompson and the Firebirds finished 7-11-0 and 4-4-0 in ECC play and just missed qualifying for the ECC Tournament following a 3-1 loss to Mercy on Nov. 9, 2019. Before this, Thompson and the Firebirds most notably finished 15-7-0 in 2017 and a 9-7-1 finish in 2014. Prior to taking over the program ahead of the 2011 season, Thompson spent one season at Lees-McRae College and led the Bobcats to a 13-5-3, winning winning the 2010 Conference Carolinas Regular Season and Conference Tournament Championships as well as a 2010 NCAA Championship berth. He also spent eight seasons coaching at his alma mater, Slippery Rock ('98), compiling an 85-68-11 record and was a three-coach PSAC Coach of the Year winner and three NCAA tournament appearances (2005, 2008, 2009.) Overall, Thompson enters Saturday with a lifetime record of 168-154-27. The Firebirds return 13 players who were also on the 2019 team. Senior Vitor Gomes leads the Firebirds in goals scored (6) and total points (13.) Junior forward Joseluiz Avalos and freshman forward Ignacio Pericet have tallied three goals apiece. Senior Javier Abadia Torres has started in all six of UDC's contests this season and has a posted a 2-4-0 record, a 2.84 GAA and a .600 save percentage.
ALL-TIME SERIES: DAEMEN VS. UDC
Series Record: UDC 6-0-1
At UDC: UDC 3-0-0
Last Meeting: UDC 3, Daemen 0 | November 2, 2019 | at Williamsville, NY
