Bronx, N.Y. – (August 24, 2022) – The Fordham males’s soccer season will get underway this week with a pair of matches in opposition to prime 25 opponents, starting on Thursday evening at Hofstra, adopted by the staff’s dwelling opener on Sunday afternoon in opposition to Windfall.
Fordham enters the 2022 season beneath the course of head coach Carlo Acquista, who enters his fourth season at Rose Hill. The Rams have made the convention semifinals in every of his first three seasons, profitable the convention championship for the 2020-21 season. Final season, the Rams took Saint Louis to the brink, enjoying to a scoreless draw within the A-10 Championship semifinals, however falling in penalty kicks to the Billikens.
The Rams bounce proper into the season in opposition to Hofstra, who’s ranked #17 within the preliminary United Soccer Coaches ballot. The Satisfaction had been 18-2-2 in 2021, profitable the CAA Championship and advancing to the third spherical of the NCAA Championship. Hofstra brings again a number of key gamers, together with All-American Hendrik Hebbeker, who was tabbed the preseason CAA Participant of the 12 months, and NCAA scoring chief Ryan Carmichael, who had 39 factors in 22 matches.
Windfall is one spot forward of Hofstra within the United Soccer Coaches preseason ballot at #16. The Friars had been 12-5-4 final season, incomes an at-large berth into the NCAA Championship and advancing to the third spherical. Windfall was tabbed because the preseason favourite within the BIG EAST Convention in 2022, and return three All-BIG EAST choice, together with First Staff All-BIG EAST choice and Preseason Co-Defensive Participant of the 12 months Ramzi Qawasmy.
GAME COVERAGE:
Thursday – Fordham at #17 Hofstra – 7:00 PM – Stay Video (FloFC) | Stay Stats | Observe on social media – @FordhamSoccer
Sunday – #16 Windfall at Fordham – 1:00 PM – Stay Video (ESPN+) | Stay Stats | Observe on social media – @FordhamSoccer
SERIES HISTORY: Within the season opener, this would be the 17th all-time assembly between Fordham and Hofstra with the Satisfaction holding a 10-5-1 edge within the collection. The groups final met within the 2019 season opener, the place Hofstra got here away with a 1-0 choice.
Will probably be the fourth all-time assembly between Fordham and Windfall with the Friars having gained two of the three matches. The primary assembly was in 1972, a 1-0 Fordham win, whereas the second was a 2-0 Windfall win in 1993. The groups then met final yr at Windfall with the Friars taking a 3-0 win.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Ensure to comply with the Fordham Rams all season lengthy on their social media channels on Fb, Twitter, & Instagram – @FordhamSoccer
PRESEASON POLLS: The Atlantic 10 Convention launched its annual preseason coaches’ ballot for the upcoming 2022 season on Wednesday with Fordham predicted to complete fourth within the 14-team league.
Reigning Atlantic 10 champion Saint Louis earned recognition because the preseason front-runner getting into the 2022 marketing campaign, adopted by Rhode Island, VCU, Fordham, and newcomer Loyola Chicago rounding out the highest 5.
TEAM CAPTAINS: The Fordham males’s soccer staff made its choices for staff captains for the 2022 season, as Jack Sluys, Conrado Duhour, and Daniel Espeleta will put on the captain armbands this yr.
Sluys begins his fifth season at Rose Hill, the place he has been a staple within the Rams’ beginning lineup since 2018. He has began 63 of 66 video games for Fordham, totally on the Rams’ backline, whereas chipping in three objectives and 9 assists over that point. He has additionally been part of 21 shutouts and was chosen as staff MVP final season. Within the classroom, Sluys has been stellar, being a four-year member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll and a 2020-21 CoSIDA Educational All-District choice.
Duhour is one other contributor to the Rams’ backfield, showing in 32 profession video games and making 17 begins. Final season, he set career-best marks with 18 video games performed, 13 begins, and over 1,250 minutes performed. Total, he has been part of 9 shutouts and is a two-year member of the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.
Espeleta joined the staff final spring as a graduate switch scholar, coming from Creighton College, the place he helped the Bluejays to the second spherical of the 2021 NCAA Championship. He appeared in 62 profession video games for Creighton, recording 5 objectives and three assists, and was a CoSIDA Educational All-District choice in every of the final three seasons.
NEW FACES: Ram followers will want a recreation program for the 2022 season, because the Rams have added 15 gamers to the roster, who weren’t on the ending roster for the 2021 marketing campaign. Fordham introduced a mixture of veteran gamers and underclassmen, together with graduate scholar transfers Timo Hummrich (SMU), Ben Shepherd (UMass), Daniel Espeleta (Creighton), and Demetri Skoumbakis (LIU).
RAMSES CHALLENGE: As part of a brand new fundraising problem this season, followers can pledge help for the staff within the Ramses Problem for every objective the lads’s soccer staff scores this season. Be part of the problem by clicking right here.
WHO’S NEXT: The Rams are in motion on Friday, September 2nd, when the staff travels to LIU for a 4:00 PM match.
