After a tough, 3-2, overtime loss to Concordia College on Wednesday, the College of Staten Island Men’s Soccer unit will be looking to rebound against one of the nation’s best programs tonight, taking on No. 2 Adelphi University in Garden City, at 7:30 pm. It will be the first meeting ever between the two sides and perhaps the first of many more within the NCAA Division II landscape.
CSI VS. ADELPHI AT-A-GLANCE
Matchup: CSI (1-2) vs. #2 Adelphi University (2-0)
Where: Motomed Field – 1 South Ave, Garden City, NY
Live Video: https://portal.stretchinternet.com/adelphi/
Live Stats: https://aupanthers.com/sidearmstats/msoc/summary
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Players to Watch (CSI): One of the nation’s highest scoring teams last year, the Dolphins have scored a couple of goals in each of their last two games after being shutout in their opener. Philip Lefkowitz, Carlos Montesinos, Christian Puccio and Joe Bolella have all registered for the Dolphins and Lefkowitz has added an assist to tie the College’s all-time career assist record. He also leads the way with a total of nine shots, four on goal. Patrick Longo has been steady in the middle and defensively as well in his first season with the Dolphins, and is one of just two first year players, along with Puccio to have started every game so far. Jake Foeldes will handle the duties in net, boasting a .643 save percentage, making a team-best nine saves in almost 190 minutes of work.
Players to Watch (AU): Adelphi will funnel a lot of offense through Paolo Marciano, who has cast 10 shots this season through two games, posting a lone goal. Filippo Peri is the goal scoring leader with a pair on just four shots on net, while Stephen Megaloudis has been a playmaker with the side’s only two assists on the season. Mads Michaelsen and Ofek Pinto will be critical as they have not come off the pitch at all this season and will be asked to keep the CSI attack at bay. The same is true for keeper Matt Apicella, who have made seven stops through two games, sporting a 1.00 goals against and a .778 save percentage.
News & Notes: Today marks the first-ever meeting between the two sides in their history. Adelphi has registered two wins this season by scores of 2-1 and 3-2, respectively, over Post University and Molloy College. This will be their third-straight game at home to open the 2019 season. The Panthers were 10-2-1 last season on home turf and have now won their last five home games dating back to last season. CSI is 1-2 this season, dropping a heartbreaking overtime game to Concordia, 3-2, in overtime on Wednesday. It was their first game against a Division II opponent since entering the NCAA Division II landscape this summer.
What’s Next?: After today’s game CSI will be back in action against DII competition when they travel to take on future ECC-opponent St. Thomas Aquinas for a 3 pm showdown on Monday. Adelphi will travel after today to Georgian Court University on Tuesday, September 17, at 3:30 pm.
