Men's Soccer to Host Pair of Contests at Columbia Soccer Stadium This Weekend
9/17/2009 2:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK -- The Columbia University men's soccer team will play their first contests at Columbia Soccer Stadium this weekend as they host Saint Peter's and nationally-ranked Boston University. The pair of matches will begin a stretch of six straight in which Columbia will play on its home pitch over the next month. The tilt with the Peacocks on Friday, Sept. 18, will begin at 7 p.m., while the Lions and Terriers will go at it at 2 p.m. as part of a soccer doubleheader with the Columbia women's team. The women's squad will host St. John's at 7 p.m.
Scouting the Peacocks
Saint Peter's won its first contest of the season on Wednesday after beginning the year with three consecutive defeats. The Peacocks defeated NJIT, 1-0, behind junior midfielder Rumen Kerekov's goal early in the 54th minute. The tally was also the first by any St. Peter's player this season, breaking a 323:09 scoreless streak. Freshman goalkeeper Carlos Suarez recorded the first shutout of his career in the victory.
Scouting the Terriers
Fresh off an upset of the No. 1 team in the nation last weekend, Boston University is ranked No. 14 in the nation by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America. The Terriers defeated then-top ranked St. John's, 1-0, last Sunday as Stephen Knox scored the game-winner in the 34th minute of action. BU has also defeated then-No. 12 UConn, 3-0, and is led by a stout defense that has allowed just two goals all season. The only blemish on their record thus far came in a 1-0 defeat at Harvard on Sept. 11.
Good Will Hunting For Goals
In the third match of his collegiate career, first-year forward Will Stamatis was able to find the back of the net and help give the Lions a 2-0 lead in the first half against Long Island. The marker proved to be the game-winner as LIU would cut the deficit in half early in the second half. Stamatis leads the team with 11 shots.
Great Scott!
First-year Nick Scott was one of three newcomers to find the back of the net against the Blackbirds last Saturday. Scott was the third Lion to score, as he found the netting in the 56th minute from 10 yards out on the left side. The score was not the first in the collegiate career of Scott, but it was the first one to count officially. The left-footed player scored in the 86th minute in an exhibition against Sacred Heart.
The Prince of the Pitch
Senior James Prince played in his first career match at Columbia against Duke and came away with his first assist as a Lion, as his half-volley shot attempt deflected right to teammate Bayo Adafin who finished for a goal and put Columbia on top 1-0 in the first half. Prince was also the catalyst for the Lions in the victory over Long Island, as his goal in the 21st minute sparked the team to a 3-1 victory. Prince also added an assist on Columbia's third and final goal.
