Men's Soccer Opens Season with Trip to Ohio

9/3/2025 3:00:00 PM

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

A NEW SEASON
The Daemen University men's soccer team opens its 2025 campaign with a trip to Ohio, heading to Walsh for a 7:30 p.m. contest Thursday before battling Malone Saturday at 1 p.m. Daemen began the 2024 season with the same two opponents, falling 2-0 to Malone then defeating Walsh 2-1 in home contests. The Wildcats finished 2024 with a 3-10-2 record, including a 0-7-1 mark in East Coast Conference action. Malone held a 5-9-3 (2-9-3 Great Midwest) mark, while Walsh posted a 4-11-3 record (3-9-2 Great Midwest).

KEY RETURNERS
The Wildcats bring back 17 players from last year, including 11 players who started at least one contest. Fifth-year midfielder/forward Rayane Baitiche (Thionville, France) finished second on the squad in points (7) and goals (3). Jean Tilo (Port-au-Prince, Haiti) helped lead Daemen's backline, starting all 11 matches he played, along with Sujan Rajamohan, who started 14 of his 15 games. Forward Larry Noel (Nassau, Bahamas) found the back of the net once last season, and midfielder Joshua Choi (Upland, Calif.) started all 13 contests he played.

NEW GROUNDS
The Wildcats will play all eight home games at Daemen's new home soccer and lacrosse stadium, Royal Park Sports Complex. The squad's first home game is Friday, Sept. 12, at 5:30 p.m. against St. Anselm. Four of those contests will be ECC matches, beginning with a tilt against St. Thomas Aquinas Saturday, Sept. 20, at 2:30 p.m.

FRESH FACES
Seventh-year head coach Bediako Swan welcomed 14 newcomers this year, who look to make an immediate impact. Seven of the new faces are freshmen, and seven are transfers.

SCOUTING WALSH
Gabe Anderson is the Cavaliers' top returning scorer after netting two goals last season. Evan Napier registered a goal and an assist, while Elis Williams also logged a goal. Nick Bertolini started 14 games between the pipes, posting a 1.73 goals-against average and a .671 save percentage. He also recorded four clean sheets.

SERIES HISTORY:
Walsh leads the all-time series, which dates back to 2011, with a 6-2-1 record. The Wildcats' 2-1 victory last season snapped a five-game winless streak against the Cavaliers.

SCOUTING MALONE:
Christian Piccolotto led the Pioneers in goals (4), assists (4), and points (12) last season, starting all 17 of Malone's games. Junior Dylan DiPiero landed second on the squad in points with six (2G, 2A), while sophomore Caleb Redding found the back of the net three times during his rookie season. Malone will have a new face in goal this season, with no returners from last year's team who have seen action.

SERIES HISTORY:
The series, which dates back to 2009, is tied 4-4. Daemen had won four straight contests before falling 2-0 to the Pioneers in last season's opener. The Wildcats are 3-1 on the road against Malone.

UP NEXT:
Daemen is back on the road Wednesday, Sept. 10, heading to St. Michael's for a 3 p.m. contest. The Wildcats play St. Anselm Friday, Sept. 12, for their home opener and inaugural game at the brand-new Royal Park Sports Complex.

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 men's soccer program on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @DaemenMSOC.

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