BOYDS, Md. – The American University men's soccer team opens up Patriot League play on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. against the League's preseason favorites, Loyola Maryland. The game will be American's Pride Celebration at the Maryland SoccerPlex.
QUICK INFO
When: Saturday, September 14; 1:00 p.m.
Where: Boyds, Md.
(Maryland SoccerPlex)
How to watch: ESPN+
INSIDE THE SERIES
- Loyola Maryland leads the all-time series, 30-17, with seven ties.
- American is 6-18 with one tie in home games against the Greyhounds.
- American has won just one out of the last five meetings.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT AMERICAN
- American is coming off a 1-1 tie at Vermont that saw the Eagles break through to score their first goal of the season (AU scored on an own goal against Hofstra).
- A free kick from Leo Palomo found the foot of a sliding Cooper Nunn who scored the opening goal, but the Catamounts answered in the closing minutes to level the game at 1-1.
- In its last home game, American played Temple to a 0-0 tie.
- For their efforts against Temple and Vermont, Nunn and junior goalkeeper Matthew Tibbetts were named Patriot League Men's Soccer Players of the Week.
- Tibbetts currently ranks second in the PL with two clean sheets through five games. He leads the League with five saves per game.
- Preseason All-Patriot League selection Zemi Rodriguez exited the opening game with an injury in just the 10th minute. Rodriguez has seven career goals and nine assists with the Eagles.
- Four Eagles were selected to the Preseason All-Patriot League team: Rodriguez, graduate student Ethan Boyle, Nunn and senior Sam Hershey, with Boyle being selected as the League's Preseason Offensive Player of the Year.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT LOYOLA MARYLAND
- Loyola enters the game also looking for its first win, after being selected to finish atop the Patriot League with 12 of the 20 available first-place votes in the League's preseason poll.
- The Greyhounds nearly swept the PL preseason major awards as well, as junior Sean McEvoy was named Preseason Midfielder of the Year, senior Jordy Luchies was named Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, and junior Dylan Van der Walt was named Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year.
- Sophomore defender Chris Ogor was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team in addition to McEvoy, Luchies, and Van der Walt.
- The Greyhounds' record and statistics might be misleading. Like American, Loyola prepared for Patriot League play with a tough non-conference slate, including two of the top five teams in the country.
- The Greyhounds suffered a 1-6 loss to No. 2-ranked Marshall, as well as a 0-6 loss to No. 5-ranked Clemson.
- On Sept. 24, Loyola will play No. 24-ranked Hofstra, whom American played in its second game this season.
- McEvoy and junior Charlie Herley are the two goalscorers for Loyola.
CONCESSIONS - FOOD TRUCK AT SATURDAY'S GAME
- The Money Muscle BBQ food truck will be on site at Saturday's match-up vs. Loyola, parked at the main entry gate to the SoccerPlex. Fans can enjoy delicious barbecue favorites, tasty sides and cold beverages.
KEEP UP WITH US
- For the latest on American University Men's Soccer, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Twitter (@AU_MSoccer) and Instagram (@au.msoccer).
