By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (6-6-4, 2-4-1 A-10) at VCU (4-5-5, 4-1-2 A-10)
Saturday, Oct. 28 – 7:00 p.m.
Richmond, Va. – Sports Backers Stadium
TV: ESPN+
The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team wraps up the 2023 season Saturday, Oct. 28 on the road at VCU. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 p.m. in Richmond.
LAST TIME OUT
The Bonnies went 0-1-1 in a pair of contests last week, traveling to take on Bucknell before returning home to host Saint Joseph's.
Bona's and Bucknell battled back-and-forth to a 0-0 draw in the non-conference finale. Jules Dechert registered his fifth shutout of the season, stopping seven shots in the contest.
In the Bonnies home finale last Saturday, the Hawks were able to come away with three points in a 2-1 decision. The Hawks scored the game's opening goal in the 14th minute off a corner kick. The Bonnies, however, were able to tie the contest at 1-1 in the 34th minute when Kenzo Brito linked up with Rafael Pereira. Saint Joseph's pulled ahead for good when the Bonnies conceded an own goal off a corner kick in the 73rd minute.
LEADERS OF THE PACK
Four different Bonnies have registered 10 or more points this season. Junior Kenzo Brito leads the Bonnies with 14 points on four goals and six assists while Umechi Akuazaoku. Fellow junior Andres Javitt has chipped in 12 points on five goals and a pair of assists in his first season with the Bonnies while senior Rafael Pereira leads the team with six assists, adding a pair of scores for 10 points.
Pereira and Brito are currently tied for third in the Atlantic 10 in assists.
It marks the first time the Bonnies have had four players with double-digit points since the 2013 season. Emmett O'Connor (21 points), Nicholas Perillo (17 points), Brad Vanino (16 points) and Brad Beaumont (10 points) helped the Bonnies to an 8-9-2 record that season.
VCU NOTES
VCU enters Saturday's contest with an overall record of 4-5-5 and is 4-1-2 in Atlantic 10 play. The Rams have scored A-10 victories over Massachusetts (1-0), Loyola Chicago (2-1), Rhode Island (3-1) and George Mason (2-1) this season. VCU was picked to finish fourth in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll.
The Bonnies will look to play the role of spoilers against the Rams as with a win and a Davidson loss or draw, VCU can claim at least a share of the Atlantic 10 regular season championship.
The Rams are led offensively by Damian Gallegos with seven points on three goals and an assist while William Hitchcock has tallied six points on two goals and two assists. In net, Jon Ermini has appeared in all 14 games, making 44 saves and posting two shutouts.
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For the latest news on St. Bonaventure athletics, stay connected on social media. Follow the Bonnies on Twitter @GoBonnies and get men's soccer updates @BonniesMSoccer. Keep up with the Bonnies on Facebook /GoBonnies and on Instagram @GoBonnies.
