HIGH POINT, N.C – Coming off back-to-back shutout victories last weekend in Virginia, the men's soccer team will look to duplicate that performance this weekend as it heads to the Flash Gordon Motors Invitational hosted by High Point University.
The Bonnies will open play on Friday at 4 p.m. against Radford University out of the Big South Conference. They will conclude the trip with a 3 p.m. Sunday meeting against the host Panthers.
Radford enters the contest with a 1-2 mark following two losses last weekend against difficult competition. The Highlanders fell 2-0 to Georgetown on Friday before dropping a 2-1 decision to No. 4 Maryland on Sunday. The club opened its season with a 1-0 overtime victory over Appalachian State.
All four of the goals scored against Radford this season have been tallied in the opening half of action. Following the season's opening weekend, sophomore Luis Grande was named the Big South Attacking Player of the Week. This will be the first-ever meeting between the Bonnies and Highlanders.
Following Friday's first-ever meeting, Bonaventure will meet another team for the first time when it takes on High Point. The Panthers – also out of the Big South – will face Stony Brook on Friday before hosting the Bonnies. Entering this weekend, HPU carries a 1-0-1 record, coming off a 3-1 win over Lipscomb on Sept. 1.
High Point has been one of the best defensive teams in the Big South through the first two weeks of the season, posting one double-overtime shutout and allowing just one own goal through 200 minutes of action so far this season. Senior Michael Chesler has been named Big South Defensive Player of the Week for each of the first two weeks. The goalkeeper has made 10 saves and currently has a 0.45 goals-against average and .909 save percentage.
St. Bonaventure has gotten a similar stellar effort from its defense and goaltending in the past few games. After allowing six goals in its first two contests, the Bonnies and keeper Mitchell Mack pitched consecutive shutouts last weekend over UNC Asheville (1-0) and Florida Atlantic (2-0) at the James Madison University tournament.
The sophomore class led the attack throughout the pitch for Bona as Daniel Iannacito, Brad Vanino and James Reed each finished with a goal and assist last weekend, while Mack stopped 11 total shots.
Following a long return trip to St. Bonaventure, the club will host its second home match of the season next Friday, Sept. 16, against Little Three rival Canisius. Kickoff against the Griffs is slated for 4 p.m. from McGraw-Jennings Field.
