Friday, August 25
Mt. Pleasant, S.C.
7:30 PM
College of Charleston
vs
Furman
Cougars Begin 2017 Campaign, to Host Furman & Monmouth for Aaron Olitsky Memorial Soccer Classic
8/24/2017 9:40:00 AM | Men's Soccer
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston men's soccer program will look to build on a last year's standout campaign, as head coach Ralph Lundy and the Cougars will begin the 2017 season at this weekend's Aaron Olitsky Memorial Soccer Classic at Patriots Point.
The Cougars will host Furman on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for their annual Friday Night Futbol clash, and will follow that up against Monmouth at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Georgia Southern will also play matches at 5 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively on each day.
The first 400 CofC students to arrive will receive free t-shirts, and the first 100 CofC students will be given free Chick-fil-A. Season tickets are still available at a rate of $40 for adults and $20 for youth. Single day tickets for this weekend will cost $7 for adults and $5 for youth.
The Cougars will have the chance to start the season on a high note after last year's historic campaign that saw the College win its first-ever CAA Tournament game, a 2-1 road-upset over No. 3 seeded UNCW. All told, the Cougars finished the season 6-9-3 overall last year, finishing off an ultra-challenging slate that saw them play seven games against teams receiving love in the NSCAA national polls.
"I feel great about how we did last year," Lundy said. "We had a lot of injuries to some key players, but the boys responded as the season went on to finish real strong. They really grew from last year, and we've had a great spring."
Coach Lundy leads the Cougars into a season for the 31st time in his storied career, sporting an overall record of 308-249-45 (.549) in a CofC coaching career that dates back to 1987. Lundy ranks fourth in total victories among all active NCAA Division I coaches.
Working alongside Lundy to provide the Cougars with veteran leadership is an experienced roster featuring nine seniors. Among them, reigning First Team All-CAA defender Leland Archer and former First Team All-CAA goalkeeper Kevin Shields return to shore up the CofC defense. All told, the Cougars return 21 letterwinners from last season's squad.
"In this league, you have to be mature, and you really have to rely on your veteran players," Lundy said. "The CAA is so tough, and our seniors know what it takes to go into that atmosphere game in, game out."
Joining them are 13 newcomers to the CofC squad, including three junior transfers and ten freshmen. In the preseason, where the Cougars clocked three 2-2 ties against Wofford, Davidson and South Carolina, Matt Nozedar and Marcelo Malpartida stood out most on offense. Nozedar, a transfer from Pitt who plays the midfield, registered a whopping three goals for the Cougars, while Malpartida, a freshman from Lexington, S.C., notched two assists.
"We've got a great group of returning under-classmen, and we added a great group of freshmen," Lundy said. "Our competitive level so far this preseason has been tremendous, and a competitive environment like this makes everybody better, because these guys know they need to play their best every day."
The Cougars, who were picked to finish tied for sixth in the CAA in the conference preseason poll, will look to embark upon their quest to throw a wrench into that forecast on Friday night against Furman. Gates will open for Day One of the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Soccer Classic at 4 p.m., an hour before the opening game between Georgia Southern and Monmouth.
A video stream will be available for both games that the Cougars take part in on Friday and Sunday. Those wishing to attend the match in person can still purchase tickets by visiting CofCSports.com/Tickets, or by calling (843) 953-COFC.
The Cougars will host Furman on Friday at 7:30 p.m. for their annual Friday Night Futbol clash, and will follow that up against Monmouth at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday. Georgia Southern will also play matches at 5 p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively on each day.
The first 400 CofC students to arrive will receive free t-shirts, and the first 100 CofC students will be given free Chick-fil-A. Season tickets are still available at a rate of $40 for adults and $20 for youth. Single day tickets for this weekend will cost $7 for adults and $5 for youth.
The Cougars will have the chance to start the season on a high note after last year's historic campaign that saw the College win its first-ever CAA Tournament game, a 2-1 road-upset over No. 3 seeded UNCW. All told, the Cougars finished the season 6-9-3 overall last year, finishing off an ultra-challenging slate that saw them play seven games against teams receiving love in the NSCAA national polls.
"I feel great about how we did last year," Lundy said. "We had a lot of injuries to some key players, but the boys responded as the season went on to finish real strong. They really grew from last year, and we've had a great spring."
Coach Lundy leads the Cougars into a season for the 31st time in his storied career, sporting an overall record of 308-249-45 (.549) in a CofC coaching career that dates back to 1987. Lundy ranks fourth in total victories among all active NCAA Division I coaches.
Working alongside Lundy to provide the Cougars with veteran leadership is an experienced roster featuring nine seniors. Among them, reigning First Team All-CAA defender Leland Archer and former First Team All-CAA goalkeeper Kevin Shields return to shore up the CofC defense. All told, the Cougars return 21 letterwinners from last season's squad.
"In this league, you have to be mature, and you really have to rely on your veteran players," Lundy said. "The CAA is so tough, and our seniors know what it takes to go into that atmosphere game in, game out."
Joining them are 13 newcomers to the CofC squad, including three junior transfers and ten freshmen. In the preseason, where the Cougars clocked three 2-2 ties against Wofford, Davidson and South Carolina, Matt Nozedar and Marcelo Malpartida stood out most on offense. Nozedar, a transfer from Pitt who plays the midfield, registered a whopping three goals for the Cougars, while Malpartida, a freshman from Lexington, S.C., notched two assists.
"We've got a great group of returning under-classmen, and we added a great group of freshmen," Lundy said. "Our competitive level so far this preseason has been tremendous, and a competitive environment like this makes everybody better, because these guys know they need to play their best every day."
The Cougars, who were picked to finish tied for sixth in the CAA in the conference preseason poll, will look to embark upon their quest to throw a wrench into that forecast on Friday night against Furman. Gates will open for Day One of the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Soccer Classic at 4 p.m., an hour before the opening game between Georgia Southern and Monmouth.
A video stream will be available for both games that the Cougars take part in on Friday and Sunday. Those wishing to attend the match in person can still purchase tickets by visiting CofCSports.com/Tickets, or by calling (843) 953-COFC.
Players Mentioned
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/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
MF
/ Men's Soccer
GK
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