By: Dylan Nuzzo, Assistant Sports Information Director
ST. BONAVENTURE (1-0-1) vs. CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE (0-2-0)
Friday, Sept. 1 – 2:00 p.m.
St. Bonaventure, N.Y. – Marra Athletics Complex
TV: ESPN+
The St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team is set to make its 2023 home debut Friday, Sept. 1 when Central Connecticut State visits the Marra Athletics Complex. Kickoff is slated for 2:00 p.m.
OPENING WEEK LOOKBACK
The Bonnies started the 2023 season in convincing fashion, defeating Houston Christian 2-0 last Thursday evening behind goals from juniors Umechi Akuazaoku and Rashid Aroza. Akuazaoku punched home the first Bonnies goal of the season in the 39th minute and Aroza made it a two-goal game in the 69th minute. Senior goalkeeper Jules Dechert was stout in net, making five saves en route to the second shutout of his career.
In the second contest in Texas against Incarnate Word, it was the Bonnies who struck first once again. Junior Andres Javitt put the Bonnies ahead midway through the second half in the 68th minute. The Cardinals, however, were able to net the equalizer just a minute later. UIW looked to get a late game-winning goal in the 79th minute, but Dechert was able to make a diving save to his left, helping the Bonnies secure the draw.
ATLANTIC 10 HONORS
Goalkeeper Jules Dechert was selected as the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Week Monday afternoon after his opening week performance. The senior from Paris, France stopped 11 shots over the Bonnies first two games, making five saves against HCU and then turning away six shots Sunday against Incarnate Word. He has registered a 0.50 goals against average and a 91.7 save percentage this season.
Dechert started 10 games in 2022 during his first season with the Bonnies, making 51 total saves.
MAKING AN IMPACT
Bona newcomers Rashid Aroza, Andres Javitt, Mo Tall and Kenzo Brito wasted no time making an impact during their first two games donning the Brown and White.
In addition to Aroza's and Javitt's scores, Tall and Brito each registered their first assist with the Bonnies against Houston Christian.
All four players joined the men's soccer program as transfers. Aroza transferred in from Dayton, Tall joined the squad from Bucknell and Brito from Marshall. Javitt spent his first two season of collegiate soccer at Montgomery.
WITH A WIN
The Bonnies look to improve to 2-0-1 on the season Friday afternoon. The last time the Bonnies started 2-0-1 through the first three games since the 2017 season. The Bonnies defeated Bucknell and Robert Morris on the road while drawing against UTRGV.
Bona's went on to finish the 2017 season 8-9-2 and a berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament.
ABOUT CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE
Central Connecticut State enters Friday's contest 0-2 to start the season, falling 1-0 to both Bryant and UMass. The Blue Devils finished 2022 with a 3-11-1 record overall and 1-6-1 in Northeast Conference play. CCSU was picked to finish sixth in the NEC Preseason Poll.
CCSU's leading scorer from a season ago, Birk Martinsen returns to the Blue Devils after netting three goals for six points in 2022. Also returning for CCSU is midfielder Kyle Halehale who started all 15 games during the 2022 campaign.
In net this season, Daniel Wilmore and Mick Sipples have each started a game apiece. Sipples stopped six shots in the contest against UMass while Wilmore made three saves vs. Bryant.
UP NEXT
The Bonnies head back out on the road for a matchup with Binghamton Tuesday, Sept. 5. Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m.
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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.
