CAA MEN'S SOCCER SEASON KICKS OFF ON WEDNESDAY
Men’s soccer season in the CAA kicks off on Wednesday with five teams in action.
George Mason meets George Washington at American University for the opening game of the D.C. College Cup. The Patriots are looking to post double-digit victories for the third year in a row, a feat they haven’t accomplished since 1995-98.
Drexel hosts Canisius in the first game under new head coach Doug Hess. The Dragons welcome back All-CAA midfielder Anthony Bafile, whose 2009 campaign was cut short by injury.
Georgia State travels to Gardner-Webb in the debut of head coach Brett Surrency, who previously served as an assistant at GSU. The Panthers feature six sophomores in the starting lineup, including top returning scorer Gimel Gordon and goalkeeper Vincent Foermer.
Towson makes the short trip to Mount St. Mary’s for the first of two season-opening road matches. The Tigers will rely heavily on three returning all-conference performers in forward Liam Maloney, midfielder Marco Mangione and defender Scott Horta.
Hofstra opens its season at home against local rival Stony Brook. Two of the key figures in the Pride’s 1-0 victory over the Seawolves a year ago are back. Sophomore Stephan Barea netted the game-winning and junior keeper Greg Cumpstone made seven saves to post the shutout.
Eleven of the 12 CAA men’s soccer teams will be in action before the end of the weekend.
Delaware is at home against Canisius on Friday afternoon, while nationally ranked UNC Wilmington travels to West Virginia on Friday where it will meet Binghamton in the first game of the WVU/Nike Classic.
On Saturday, Old Dominion takes on Coastal Carolina and VCU meets Florida Gulf Coast in the first round of the Richmond Marriott Classic and James Madison entertains Rider in the first round of the JMU/Comfort Inn Invitational.
On Sunday, Northeastern visits Maryland at 1 p.m. William & Mary is the final CAA team to start the season, traveling to Loyola (Md.) on Sept. 7.