Men's Soccer 8/25/2018 10:00:00 AM

SUNDAY SHOWDOWN WITH VCU UP NEXT FOR MEN'S SOCCER

RADFORD, Va. – After dropping a tough 1-0 decision at Old Dominion on Friday, the Radford men's soccer team will be looking to secure its first win of the season at VCU Sunday evening.

SETTING THE STAGE
Opponent: VCU Rams
Location: Richmond, Va. (SportsBackers Stadium)
Date: Sunday, August 26
Time: 5 p.m.
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ABOUT THE MATCH-UP
The Highlanders' all-time series record with the Rams currently stands at 4-7-1 through 12 meetings. The two clubs first met in 1985 and most recently came together in 2016. In that match, which was also played at SportsBackers Stadium, Radford came away with a huge 4-2 victory. Some names you may remember well - Fraser Colmer, Evan Szklennik and Neil Martorana (2) - each found the back of the net.

LAST TIME OUT
Radford opened the 2018 season with a 1-0 defeat at Old Dominion on Friday. Redshirt senior Kieran Roberts and freshman Amadou Macky Diop created some chances with two shots each while junior goalkeeper Robbie Johnson picked up two saves. A 20th-minute header proved to be the difference for the Monarchs.

ROSTER MAKEUP
Head Coach Bryheem Hancock and Assistant Coach Brian Cronin have a deep roster with a good mix of veterans and newcomers to work with in 2018. Fifteen players have reached junior or senior status while 18 players will be on the pitch as either freshmen or sophomores.

RETURNERS AND NEWCOMERS
Redshirt senior forward Kieran Roberts will be tasked with leading the team offensively after winning Big South Attacking Player of the Year a season ago and then being named Preseason Co-Attacking Player of the Year earlier this month. Other All-Big South honorees – midfielder Victor Valls and defender Max Edwards – also return. Meanwhile, the Highlanders will be counting on a number of newcomers including Robbie Johnson, Pape Oumar Gueye, Gonzalo Rodriguez, Thure Ilgner, Khori Bennett and more.

2018 EXPECTATIONS
Following a 10-4-4 campaign in 2017 that came to an end in the Big South Semifinals, Radford was picked to finish second in the 2018 Big South Preseason Poll. The Highlanders garnered 69 points, but did not receive any first-place votes. While being picked second is certainly a positive, there is no doubt that Coach Hancock and his squad will be looking to beat those expectations and come home with a conference championship.

SCOUTING THE RAMS
VCU enters Sunday's also standing at 0-1 on the season following a 2-0 loss to Georgia Southern on Friday night. Goalkeeper Mario Sequira made three saves, but two shots managed to get past him and only two of the Rams' eight shots were on goal. Eighteen players from the 2017 squad that finished 12-7, reached the A-10 Championship and earned a No. 16 seed in the NCAA Tournament return for 2018. With 149 points and four first-place votes, VCU was picked to finish second in the A-10 Preseason Poll despite losing 2017 A-10 Player of the Year Rafeal Andrade Santos.

HOME OPENER
The Highlanders will begin the season with five straight road matches before finally returning to Cupp Stadium. On Sept. 22, Radford will host Campbell at 7 pm. Admission is free for all spectators.

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For more information on the Radford men's soccer team visit RadfordAthletics.com, follow @RadfordMSoccer on Twitter, 'radfordmsoccer' Instagram or Radford Men's Soccer on Facebook.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#3 Pape Oumar Gueye: MF; 6' 1"; Sophomore

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

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

#10 Khori Bennett: M; 6' 0"; Senior

#8 Thure Ilgner: D; 6' 5"; Freshman

#4 Gonzalo Rodriguez: MF; 6' 0"; Senior

#12 Amadou Macky Diop: F; 6' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

#3 Pape Oumar Gueye
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: MF

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

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

#10 Khori Bennett
: 6' 0"; Senior
: M

#8 Thure Ilgner
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: D

#4 Gonzalo Rodriguez
: 6' 0"; Senior
: MF

#12 Amadou Macky Diop
: 6' 3"; Freshman
: F