RADFORD HOSTS PC WEDNESDAY FOR BIG SOUTH SEMIFINALS

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MATCH INFORMATION

Date: November 8, 2017
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Cupp Stadium (Radford, Va.)
Live Video
Live Stats
Tickets
Gates open at 5:45 p.m.

SETTING THE STAGE

Radford and Presbyterian meet for the fourth time in the last two years, including in the Big South Tournament semifinals for the second straight year.
The only difference in this year's matchup is the Highlanders are No. 2 seed and the Blue Hose enter as the No. 6 seed.
The 2016 semifinal meeting went to a shootout after both teams scored goals in the final 10 minutes to go to overtime locked at 1-1. Overtime saw five combined shots.
Presbyterian missed its first two attempts, while Radford took a 3-2 edge on makes by Kieran Roberts, Jo Vetle Rimstad and Jakob Strandsäter. Fraser Colmer finished it off, sealing the Radford win with a 4-2 edge in shootouts.
In the 2017 regular season matchup, Radford and Presbyterian finished with a 1-1 draw on Oct. 4 in Clinton, S.C.
Sergio Pinto gave the Blue Hose a 1-0 lead just before halftime, but Sivert Daehlie knotted the match eight minutes into the second half.
Radford outshot Presbyterian 14-6 in the second half, including nine shots on goal.
The Highlanders lead the all-time series 13-4-4,

HIGHLANDER HIGHLIGHTS

Record: 10-4-3 (5-1-2 Big South)
Radford secured the No. 2 seed in the tournament with a dominating 4-2 victory over in-state rival Liberty on Nov. 1 that saw four first-half Highlander goals.
The Highlanders outshot the Flames 21-13 in the match, including 11 attempts on frame.
Jakob Strandsäter tallied two goals and an assist in the win. Victor Valls assisted on both of Strandsäter's goals for his second multi-assist match on the season.
Evan Szklennik found the back of the net for the first time on the season, while Sivert Daehlie collected his six Big South goal on the season.
The offensive showing increased Radford's season goal total to 38, which finished the regular season ranked 13 nationally.
In 17 games, Radford was only held without two-plus goals in only eight matches.
The Highlanders' 2.24 goals per match clip ranks ninth best in the country.
Totaling 38 goals, Radford's 37 assists rank 11^th in the nation and 11^th with 2.18 per match. Only five goals have been unassisted on.
With 38 goals and 38 assists, Radford ranks ninth with 113 points.
The Highlander offense is averaging 15.76 shots per game and 6.53 shots on goal, ranking inside the Top 20 nationally in both categories.
Radford defense ranks 71^st nationally with a 1.063 goals against average. The Highlanders have limited opponents to 19 goals and only 81 shots on frame in 182 attempts.
Nicolas Mertzokat has recorded four-plus saves in eight matches for 59 on the season, which ranks 69^th nationally.
With seven assists each, Daehlie, Szklennik and Valls rank second in the conference, while tied for 38^th nationally.
The trio is responsible for 21 of Radford's 38 assists.
Fraser Colmer and Neil Martorana follow the trio with five assists each.
Responsible for 27 of Radford's 38 goals, Kieran Roberts and Daehlie has combined for more goals than 181 NCAA Division I schools.
Radford is the only school in the country with two players inside the Top 15 in goals scored.
Roberts trails the nation's lead in goal by one (15) and ranks third in goals per game (0.88). The redshirt junior leads the country with 5.29 shots per game and 2.76 shots on goal per match. He also ranks seventh with 30 points and ninth with 1.82 points per game.
Daehlie ranks 13^th nationally with 12 goals, while chipping in 31 points for seventh.
The Highlanders had seven players earn Big South honors a week ago as Roberts was named the conference's attacking player of the year and Colmer was named co-defensive player of the year, marking the first time in program history that Radford swept the awards.
Colmer was tabbed the Big South Men's Soccer Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second straight year.
Daehlie and Valls joined the duo on the All-Big South First Team.
Max Edwards and Szklennik earned second honors.
Noy Daabul and Edwards were named to the all-freshmen team.

SCOUTING PRESBYTERIAN

Record: 6-8-3 (3-3-2 Big South)
Presbyterian advanced to the semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Campbell on Nov. 5.
The Blue Hose wasted little time getting things going as Ricardo Hernandez found the back of the net in the sixth minute and Kellan O'Hara extended the lead in the 38^th minute.
The goals were the first of their collegiate careers.
With the win, Presbyterian improves to 2-1-1 in the Big South Tournament.
Despite taking 15 shots, Campbell's lone goal came in the 85^th minute.
Presbyterian holds a 23-21 edge in goals scored through 17 matches.
Thirteen different players have scored this season for the Blue Hose.
Clement Vannier leads the team with five goals on 15 shots on frame.
Sergio Pinto and Andrew Miller-Bell follow with three goals each. Pinto leads the team with four assists.
Of Presbyterian's 195 shots, 76 have been on frame for a .390 percentage.
Averaging 11.5 shots per match, Presbyterian ranks sixth in the Big South.
Between the pipes, Connor Behrend has recorded 57 saves for a .770 percentage. Allowing 17 goals, Behrend's 1.08 goals against average ranks fourth in the league.

UP NEXT

The winner of Radford/Presbyterian will face either No. 1 High Point or No. 4 Liberty in the Big South Championship game on Sunday, Nov. 12. The match is slated for a 2 p.m., start.
If Radford wins and High Point loses, Radford will serve as the championship site.

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Players Mentioned

#3 Fraser Colmer: D; 6' 0"; Senior; Brookfield Community

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

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

#1 Nicolas Mertzokat: GK; 6' 3"; Senior

#7 Kieran Roberts: F; 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior

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

#8 Evan Szklennik: F; 6' 1"; Senior

#5 Victor Valls: MF; 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore

#2 Max Edwards: D; 6' 1"; Freshman

#4 Noy Daabul: D; 6' 1"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#3 Fraser Colmer
: 6' 0"; Senior; Brookfield Community
: D

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

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

#1 Nicolas Mertzokat
: 6' 3"; Senior
: GK

#7 Kieran Roberts
: 6' 0"; Redshirt Junior
: F

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

#8 Evan Szklennik
: 6' 1"; Senior
: F

#5 Victor Valls
: 5' 9"; Redshirt Sophomore
: MF

#2 Max Edwards
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: D

#4 Noy Daabul
: 6' 1"; Freshman
: D