Emma Varallo

Men's Soccer Hosts First Games at Royal Park

9/11/2025 3:54:00 PM

By: CONTACT: Connor Griffin, Assistant Director of Athletics Communications | cgriffin@daemen.edu

TAKING HOME TURF
The Daemen University men's soccer team plays its home opener and first game at Royal Park Friday, hosting St. Anselm at 5:30 p.m.The Wildcats then welcome Goldey-Beacome at 11 a.m. Sunday.

LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats fell 7-0 to Saint Michael's on the road Wednesday. Daemen defeated Malone University 3-1 last Saturday, securing their first win of the season. Larry Noel (Nassau, Bahamas) scored the game-winning goal for Daemen in the 62nd minute, giving the Wildcats a 2-1 lead. Freshman Thomas Wikan (Inderøy, Norway) made it 3-1 with a penalty kick goal in the 74th minute. Tim Florek (Marburg, Germany) also found the back of the net in the 30th minute to level the match at 1-1. Freshman goalie Dylan Delaney (Lockport, N.Y.) finished with three saves. Fellow freshman Stevie Varallo (Wilson, N.Y.) logged the Wildcats' first multi-assist game of the season with two helpers. Daemen fell 5-1 at Walsh in its season opener last Thursday, with Selim Ozleplebici (Thousand Oaks, Calif.) scoring the visitors' lone goal.

PRIME PERFORMER
Noel was named a Prime Performer of the Week by the East Coast Conference on Monday after scoring the game-winner against Malone. He received a pass in the box and danced around before firing a low shot into the back of the net. The senior played 45 minutes in the contest and converted his lone shot attempt. It was the forward's first career game-winning goal.

CAREER FIRSTS
Several Wildcats recorded career firsts last weekend. During Saturday's victory, Wikan and Florek both notched their first career goals. Varallo notched his first collegiate point with the first of his two helpers. Jonathan Lopez-Leblanc (Centennial, Colo.) also added his first point with an assist. Additionally, Delaney earned his first collegiate win between the pipes. Ozleplebici's goal last Thursday also marked the first of the sophomore's career.

SCOUTING SAINT ANSELM (1-0-2)
The Hawks picked up their first win Tuesday, defeating Staten Island, 1-0. St. Anselm opened the season with back-to-back draws, tying Malone 0-0 and Queens. Chance Pouty leads the squad with three points (1G, 1A). Jake McCabe has also found the back of the net. David Hood has started all three matches between the pipes, posting a .947 save percentage and a 0.33 goals-against average.

SERIES HISTORY
Last season, the teams met for the first time, with the Hawks taking a 2-0 win on their home field.

SCOUTING GOLDEY-BEACOM (0-3)
The Lightning have yet to win a game, having fallen to Pace (1-6), District of Columbia (1-3), and Pittsburgh-Johnstown (1-3). Emanuel Bustos, Johs Herden, and Aaron Nelson have found the back of the net. Jamel Yasin has started three games in goal, logging a 3.60 goals-against average and a .550 save percentage. Pedro Montanes has also seen 45 minutes between the pipes, recording a 6.00 goals-against average and a .571 save percentage.

SERIES HISTORY
Daemen traveled to Delaware last season for the first meeting between the programs, earning a 3-1 victory. Fifth-year Rayane Baitiche (Thionville, France) scored twice in the victory.

UP NEXT
The Wildcats are back on the road next Wednesday, facing off against nationally ranked Franklin Pierce at 12 p.m.

Daemen University features the premier NCAA Division II athletics program in the Buffalo-Niagara region, sponsoring 17 intercollegiate teams. For the latest information on Daemen Athletics, follow the Wildcats via social media on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram, or sign up to receive customizable news alerts, e-mail newsletters and weekly schedule alerts.

Follow the Daemen University men's soccer program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @DaemenMSOC.

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