Friday, August 25
Winston-Salem, N.C.
7:30 PM
Rutgers University
at
Wake Forest
Men's Soccer Opens 2017 Season in ACC Country
Aug 23 | Men's Soccer
Scarlet Knights To Face National Runner-Up Wake Forest on Friday and National Semifinalist UNC on Sunday
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Rutgers wastes no time jumping into the thick of things taking on the national runner-up and national semifinalist in the opening weekend. The 2017 Rutgers men's soccer season kicks off this weekend as the Scarlet Knights head down to ACC country to take on No. 2 Wake Forest and No. 4 North Carolina. Both games will be streamed live on ACC Network Extra.
Rutgers went 1-1 during preseason action picking up a 1-0 victory over No. 24 UConn and falling 0-1 down the road at in-state rival Monmouth.
The 2017 roster is a mix of youth and experience. Rutgers returning leading scorer, senior Dante Perez (5G, 1A), is among the 13 Scarlet Knight returning letterwinners. He is also joined by Big Ten All-Preseason selection and fellow classmate Niel Guzman (3G, 2A) and Big Ten All-Freshman honoree Tim McQuaid (2G, 1A). Meanwhile, 14 newcomers grace the roster, many who will factor into the upcoming season.
The Demon Deacons are coming off a national title game appearance where after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, they fell one PK short of the championship to Stanford. The reigning ACC regular season and tournament champions finished 2016 with a 19-3-3 overall record.
Wake Forest welcomes back junior midfielder Brad Dunwell. A member of the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, Dunwell has started all 47 games for the Demon Deacons thru his first two seasons and totaled 10 points (1G, 8A). Senior midfielder Jon Bankero, Wake Forest's second-leading scorer a year ago, returns (7G, 4A), as does sophomore midfielder Ema Twumasi (6G, 4A), who scored twice late against Virginia Tech to send his team to the College Cup, and senior Kevin Politz, a Third Team All-ACC pick who anchored the Demon Deacon backline to a 0.46 goals against average.
In preseason play, the Demon Deacons used 23 members of its lineup in a 1-0 loss at Furman and wrapped up exhibition action with a 2-2 draw versus UNCW. Against the Seahawks, Wake Forest had an unassisted goal by Ben Davidson and the equalizer knocked in by Luis Argudo.
Wake Forest was picked to win the ACC Atlantic Division in a vote by the league head coaches.
The Tar Heels' 2017 season gets underway Friday night, as well, with a contest against Providence on the campus of Elon before welcoming the Scarlet Knights.
Like Friday's opponent, North Carolina reached the College Cup and was halted by penalty kicks. The Tar Heels fell to eventual national champion, Stanford, after a scoreless regulation and two overtimes. The Cardinal advanced to the championship game on PKs, 10-9. UNC ended last season at 19-3-3 overall.
Among the returners for the Tar Heels is 2016 TopDrawerSoccer National Freshman of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List member, midfielder Cam Lindley. Lindley recorded seven assists as a rookie helping UNC to rank 10th nationally with 1.93 goals per game. Also returning for UNC is second-leading scorer, junior forward Nils Bruening (8G, 1A) and senior forward and Second Team All-ACC member Zach Wright (5G, 7A). The Tar Heels also welcome back all-region goalkeeper, redshirt junior James Pyle. Pyle posted a 0.45 goals against average last year, the third lowest mark in school history.
Preseason action saw UNC pick up a 3-1 win over Coastal Carolina and play South Carolina to a scoreless draw.
UNC was picked to win the ACC Coastal Division in a vote by the league head coaches.
Following this weekend's play, the Rutgers men's soccer team will remain on the road traveling to Oral Roberts on Sept. 1 and UMKC on Sept. 3.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUMensSoccer) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
Rutgers went 1-1 during preseason action picking up a 1-0 victory over No. 24 UConn and falling 0-1 down the road at in-state rival Monmouth.
The 2017 roster is a mix of youth and experience. Rutgers returning leading scorer, senior Dante Perez (5G, 1A), is among the 13 Scarlet Knight returning letterwinners. He is also joined by Big Ten All-Preseason selection and fellow classmate Niel Guzman (3G, 2A) and Big Ten All-Freshman honoree Tim McQuaid (2G, 1A). Meanwhile, 14 newcomers grace the roster, many who will factor into the upcoming season.
The Demon Deacons are coming off a national title game appearance where after 120 minutes of scoreless soccer, they fell one PK short of the championship to Stanford. The reigning ACC regular season and tournament champions finished 2016 with a 19-3-3 overall record.
Wake Forest welcomes back junior midfielder Brad Dunwell. A member of the MAC Hermann Trophy watch list, Dunwell has started all 47 games for the Demon Deacons thru his first two seasons and totaled 10 points (1G, 8A). Senior midfielder Jon Bankero, Wake Forest's second-leading scorer a year ago, returns (7G, 4A), as does sophomore midfielder Ema Twumasi (6G, 4A), who scored twice late against Virginia Tech to send his team to the College Cup, and senior Kevin Politz, a Third Team All-ACC pick who anchored the Demon Deacon backline to a 0.46 goals against average.
In preseason play, the Demon Deacons used 23 members of its lineup in a 1-0 loss at Furman and wrapped up exhibition action with a 2-2 draw versus UNCW. Against the Seahawks, Wake Forest had an unassisted goal by Ben Davidson and the equalizer knocked in by Luis Argudo.
Wake Forest was picked to win the ACC Atlantic Division in a vote by the league head coaches.
The Tar Heels' 2017 season gets underway Friday night, as well, with a contest against Providence on the campus of Elon before welcoming the Scarlet Knights.
Like Friday's opponent, North Carolina reached the College Cup and was halted by penalty kicks. The Tar Heels fell to eventual national champion, Stanford, after a scoreless regulation and two overtimes. The Cardinal advanced to the championship game on PKs, 10-9. UNC ended last season at 19-3-3 overall.
Among the returners for the Tar Heels is 2016 TopDrawerSoccer National Freshman of the Year and MAC Hermann Trophy Watch List member, midfielder Cam Lindley. Lindley recorded seven assists as a rookie helping UNC to rank 10th nationally with 1.93 goals per game. Also returning for UNC is second-leading scorer, junior forward Nils Bruening (8G, 1A) and senior forward and Second Team All-ACC member Zach Wright (5G, 7A). The Tar Heels also welcome back all-region goalkeeper, redshirt junior James Pyle. Pyle posted a 0.45 goals against average last year, the third lowest mark in school history.
Preseason action saw UNC pick up a 3-1 win over Coastal Carolina and play South Carolina to a scoreless draw.
UNC was picked to win the ACC Coastal Division in a vote by the league head coaches.
Following this weekend's play, the Rutgers men's soccer team will remain on the road traveling to Oral Roberts on Sept. 1 and UMKC on Sept. 3.
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersMensSoccer) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/RUMensSoccer) for all of the latest news and updates. Fans also receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on both social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.
-RU-
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