Men's Soccer 9/8/2016 3:00:00 PM

RADFORD TO FACE VCU AND OLD DOMINION FOR FIRST TIME IN 17 YEARS

Follow @RadfordMSOC

SETTING THE STAGE

Radford will play its final Friday/Sunday matches of the regular season as the Highlanders take on a pair of Commonwealth foes for the first time in nearly 17 years. RU will travel to VCU on Friday and Old Dominion on Sunday.
The Highlanders moved up to 18^th in this week's NSCAA Coaches' Poll. Old Dominion received two votes in the poll.
VCU holds a 7-3-1 edge in the all-time series as the two meet for the first time since 2000.
Old Dominion has won all four matchups as the Highlanders look for their first win over the Monarchs in the first meeting since 1999.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE/LINKS
Friday, Sept. 9
Radford at VCU, 7 p.m. (Live Stats) ($ Live Video)
Sunday, Sept. 11
Radford at Old Dominion, 2 p.m. (Live Stats) ($ Live Video)

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 3-0-0
RU has not started the season off 3-0-0 since 1994.
Two weekend wins would mean the Highlanders would start the season off with five straight wins, a first in program history.
Radford picked up its third consecutive shutout in a 2-0 victory over Davidson on Sept. 3.
In the win, RU received goals from Sivert Daehlie and Jakob Strandsäter. The first half goal from Daehlie was his second on the season, including his second game winning goal.
last time the Highlanders earned three shutout wins in a row came in 2014.
Aitor Pouseu Blanco has been credited with the three shutouts, giving him 18 in his career.
Pouseu Blanco's career goals against advantage average is down to 0.82, which currently ranks second in Big South history.
Garland Smith and Neil Martorana pace the Highlanders with eight shots each to start the season.
Martorana leads the way with four shots on goal.

SCOUTING VCU

Record: 0-3-0
The Rams dropped the first two matches of the season, 2-1, in overtime battles. VCU fell to Stetson in the season opener and UNLV in a double overtime heartbreaker.
VCU gave No. 3 North Carolina everything they wanted on Monday, going into halftime deadlocked at 2-2. The Tar Heels added a late goal in the 81^st minute for the 3-2 victory.
The Rams have shared the wealth when it comes to goals as Rafael Santos, Gerald Vargas, Lyndsey Moreland and Dakota Barnathan have found the back of the net.
Luc Fatton paces the Rams with nine shots, five coming on goal.
Despite the three losses, VCU holds a 40-36 shot advantage.

SCOUTING (RV) OLD DOMINION

Record: 2-0-1
The Monarchs have outscored opponents 6-3, collecting wins over UNLV (Aug. 26) and Loyola (Md.) (Sept. 2). The draw came on Aug. 28 against Stetson.
Old Dominion is averaging 18.7 shots per game, while holding opponents to 9.3 per contest.
Nik Klosterhalfen leads ODU with two goals through the first three matches of the season.
The two goals came in a 3-1 win over UNLV, earning Klosterhalfen the Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week award.
Cole Stinger, Jesse Miralrio, Tyler Edwards and Milan Devuyst round the rest of Old Dominion's six goals.
Assisting on three of the goals is Sebastian Hauret.

UP NEXT

Radford and Elon meet in a rematch of last year's thrilling 2-0 victory in which the Highlanders upset the No. 21 Phoenix.
The match is slated for a 7 p.m. start on Sept. 17.

For the latest on Radford Athletics, please subscribe to our weekly newsletter, Highlander Happenings.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#10 Sivert Daehlie: F; 6' 0"; Sophomore

#11 Neil Martorana: F; 5' 10"; Junior

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco: GK; 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior

#17 Garland Smith: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#14 Jakob Strandsäter: MF; 5' 10"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#10 Sivert Daehlie
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: F

#11 Neil Martorana
: 5' 10"; Junior
: F

#1 Aitor Pouseu Blanco
: 6' 3"; Redshirt Junior
: GK

#17 Garland Smith
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#14 Jakob Strandsäter
: 5' 10"; Sophomore
: MF