By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (4-4-2, 1-2-0 A-10) vs. MASSACHUSETTS (4-4-3, 1-2-0 A-10)
Wednesday, Oct. 4 – 4:00 p.m.
St. Bonaventure N.Y. – Marra Athletics Complex
TV: ESPN+
ST. BONAVENTURE at GEORGE WASHINGTON (2-6-3, 0-3-0 A-10)
Saturday, Oct. 7 – 3:00 p.m.
Washington, D.C. – GW Soccer Field
TV: ESPN+
The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer teams returns to the field with a pair of Atlantic 10 matches Wednesday and Saturday this week. The Bonnies kick the week off Wednesday, Oct. 4 on home turf when they host Massachusetts at 4:00 p.m. Bona's then travels to the nation's capital for a matchup with George Washington Saturday, Oct. 7 with kickoff slated for 3:00 p.m.
BONNIES LOOK BACK
The Bonnies went 0-1-1 in a pair of road contests last week, drawing at Robert Morris, 1-1, but falling to Dayton, 1-0, in the second of the two matches.
After falling behind in the 56th minute against the Colonials last Tuesday, Keegan Dawson was able to find Umechi Akuazaoku in the box and the junior forward was able to settle the pass and punch home his third goal of the season. Nicolas Pucci was in net for the Bonnies, matching his career-high with six saves.
In Saturday's action at Dayton, the Bonnies went down 1-0 just out of halftime in the 50th minute. Jules Dechert earned the start for the Bonnies in net, making a career-high nine saves.
BETWEEN THE PIPES
Senior goalkeeper Jules Dechert has made eight starts in net this season for the Brown and White. In over 690 minutes played, Dechert has made 47 saves which ranks first in the Atlantic 10 and ninth in the NCAA. The Paris, France native is stopping 5.88 shots per game, ranking first among A-10 goalkeepers and is fourth in the NCAA.
Dechert also sits second in the A-10 in save percentage (.810) and third in shutouts (3).
During his St. Bonaventure career, Dechert has made 98 saves while touting a career save percentage of .766. He has stopped five or more shots 13 times in 18 career games played.
UMASS NOTES
Massachusetts enters Wednesday's contest 4-4-3 overall and 1-2-0 in Atlantic 10 play, earning its first conference victory of the season, 3-0, over George Washington last Saturday. The Minutemen also have wins over Central Connecticut State, Yale and Providence this season. UMass was picked to finish seventh in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll.
Alec Hughes currently leads the Minutemen and the Atlantic 10 in goals (9) and points (18), sitting third and sixth in the, respectively, in the NCAA. Nick Zielonka leads the A-10 and is 11th in the NCAA with six assists. Matt Zambetti has started 10 games in goal for UMass, making 33 saves.
ABOUT GEORGE WASHINGTON
George Washington begins the week 2-6-3 overall and is 0-3-0 in conference play. The Revolutionaries have earned victories over Iona (1-0) and Stony Brook (3-1) this season. GW was picked to finish 11th in the Atlantic 10 preseason poll.
William Turner paces GW offensively with seven points on two goals and three assists. Ben Hissrich has registered six points this season on a team-high three goals. Nacho Alastuey has also tallied two goals for the Revolutionaries.
Tom Macauley and Duncan Wegner have split time in net for GW. Macauley has played in eight games, making 27 saves while Wegner has stopped 15 shots in five games played.
George Washington announced Revolutionaries as its new nickname in May of 2023, replacing the old moniker of Colonials.
UP NEXT
The Bonnies return home to host Duquesne Wednesday, Oct. 11 at the Marra Athletics Complex. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.
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