Men's Soccer Set to Host SNHU in Conference Tournament
RINDGE, N.H. (October 31, 2016) – The Franklin Pierce men's soccer team will host Southern New Hampshire University in the Northeast-10 Conference Quarterfinals tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.
The Ravens make their first tournament appearance since the 2014 season and the playoffs return to Sodexo Field for the first time since the 2011 campaign which saw the Crimson and Grey win the conference title 1-0 over the Penmen and make a lengthy run in the NCAA Division II Tournament.
SNHU is the four-time defending conference champions after winning the league title four consecutive seasons (2012-2015). Last year, the Penmen defeated Adelphi 1-0 with Sebastian Stezewski scoring the lone goal in the 18th minute.
SCOUTING THE RAVENS
The Ravens, earned the no. 4 seed in the tourney and finished the year at 11-4-0, 9-4-0 NE-10. FPU is led by the duo of Marius Preber (Jessheim, Norway) and Jacob Blixt (Borrby, Sweden), a three-time NE-10 Rookie of the Week selection. Preber finished his graduate campaign as the league leader in goals (13) and points (28), while Blixt ranked second in assists (9), shots (59) and fourth in points (27).
As a team, the Crimson and Grey have one of the top offensive attacks in the conference, they rank third in goals (34), assists (24), and points (92). The team leads all NE-10 squads in goals-for average with 2.27 markers per game. The Ravens also sport one of the top defensive units in the league with only 18 goals allowed which is good for a 1.18 goals-against average.
SCOUTING THE PENMEN
The Penmen, earned the no. 5 seed after going 11-3-2, 8-3-2 NE-10 over the season. SNHU is led by Rayane Boukemia, a three-time NE-10 Player of the Week and Nick Zucco, last week's Goalkeeper of the Week selection. Boukemia is tied with Preber in total points (28) and ranks third in goals (12) while Zucco ranks third in save percentage (.814), fourth in goals-against average (0.73) and fifth in goals against (11).
Altogether, SNHU sports one of the top offensive and defensive teams in the league. Offensively, they lead the conference in goals (36) and points (100) while ranking second in goals-for average (2.25) and assists (28). On the defensive side, the Penmen are second in goals allowed (11) and goals-against average (0.66).
EARLIER THIS SEASON
Both squads met earlier this year on Wednesday, September 28th as the previously no. 2 nationally-ranked Penmen headed to Rindge. In a tightly contested contest, the Ravens came away with a shocking 1-0 win as Marius Preber tallied the game-winning score in the 88th minute to dethrone the Penmen from the national rankings.
HEADING TO THE GAME?
If you're planning on heading to the game here are the directions to the Franklin Pierce University campus.
You will be required to pay a small gate fee to enter Sodexo Field. The prices are...
Adults.....$6.00
Children, Students & Seniors.....$4.00
Northeast-10 Conference Students w/Identification.....$1.00
First 150 Franklin Pierce University Students w/Identification.....Free
WHERE TO WATCH
Can't make it to the game? The Northeast-10 and Franklin Pierce University have you covered with live stats and pay per view video. Click the links below to access the live stats and video.
You can also view the Northeast-10 Conference 2016 Men's Soccer Championship page by clicking here.
WHATS NEXT?
The winner of this contest will square off against the winner of the no. 8 Southern Connecticut State/no. 1 Adelphi game at the higher seeded team's home field.
For more information on Franklin Pierce Athletics, please visit the official website of Franklin Pierce Athletics (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu). Also be sure to follow the Ravens through the Department of Athletics' official Facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/FranklinPierceRavens), its YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/franklinpiercesports) and its Twitter feed (http://twitter.com/FPUathletics). Fans wishing to purchase Franklin Pierce athletic apparel can do so at the Department of Athletics' online store (http://athletics.franklinpierce.edu/store).