Men's Soccer Preview: Drexel

Saturday, September 24

Newark, DE

1:00 PM

University of Delaware

UNCW

Photo by: Tyler Gallo

10/6/2022 4:06:00 PM | Men's Soccer

NEWARK, Del. – The University of Delaware men's soccer team will return home for a four-game homestand starting on Oct. 8 against Drexel at 4:00 p.m.

PARKING INFORMATION:
In addition to Delaware's men's soccer match, UD is also hosting Bands of America in Delaware Stadium. With that being said, men's soccer fans will still be able to park in lot 106 (parking lot behind the BCC), but they must enter the lot off Sincock Lane. Guests must turn off Route 4 onto Sincock Lane and then turn left into 106. Soccer guests cannot enter south campus through the front (off of 896). Because of Bands of America, traffic around the area will increase as well.

What You Need to Know:

Delaware opened its season with a 2-0 win over Mount St. Mary's on Thursday, August 25, giving head coach Tommy McMenemy his first career victory. The Blue Hens also defeated George Washington on Sept. 13 behind two goals by Sam Donnellan. Delaware played Saint Joseph's to a 1-1 draw on Sept. 6 and UNCW to a 2-2 draw on Sept. 24.
Donnellan was named CAA Rookie of the Week on Sept. 19 and Sept. 26. He is the first CAA freshman to win two Rookie of the Week honors so far this season, and is the first Delaware player to receive back-to-back Rookie of the Weeks since Roberto Giménez in September 2011.
Donnellan has scored five goals in his first 10 career games, the fastest Blue Hen player to score five career goals since former All-American Guillermo Delgado did so in his first four games. Donnellan's five goals are already the most by a Delaware freshman since Fede Prieto had seven in 2016. He is tied for third in the CAA in goals scored, trailing Elliot Goldthorp (nine) of Hofstra and Chris Elliot (seven) of Charleston. Harrison Coron of Drexel also has five goals this season. Donnellan is one of 13 freshmen this season to score at least five goals so far, and he and Elliot are the only freshman to score at least five goals among CAA players.
Seidu Shamsudeen has scored a pair of goals for the Blue Hens, while Brandon Sengphachanh and Orri Thorhallsson have scored one goal. Florian Phlepsen (two), Jordan Miller, Aron Adalsteinsson, Alonso Rodriguez, Petros Fokas, and Carlos Fernandez each have recorded an assist.
Adam Vik has recorded 43 saves through the first 10 games of the season to lead the CAA, including a career-high eight against Hofstra. He has recorded shutouts against Mount St. Mary's in his collegiate debut on August 25 and George Washington on Sept. 13.
Delaware has 24 wins all-time against Drexel in a series that dates back from 1947. Since 2009, Delaware is 8-4-2 against Drexel, including 5-1-1 in Newark. Drexel has won the last two meetings against the Blue Hens, both on their home field, 2-1 in double overtime and 4-1. The last matchup between both squads in Newark finished in a 2-2 draw on March 21, 2021.

The Opponent:

Drexel is 4-3-3 and 2-2-1 so far on the season, but is coming off a 3-0 loss on the road to Elon. Drexel is also winless on the road this season, also losing to UNCW 2-0 and playing Northeastern to a 1-1 tie.
The Dragons were tabbed to finish in fifth place in the preseason CAA poll, while Daniel Nesseler and Youri Senden earned a Preseason All-Conference selection.
Head coach Michael Marchiano is in his third season with Drexel, and enters the game with a career record of 18-14-6. He has led the Dragons to back-to-back CAA Tournament appearances for the first time since 2012-2013.

How to Follow: Live Stats I Live Video
Live stats and live video will be available for the match on bluehens.com.

Up Next: Delaware plays the second game of their four-game homestand when they host UMBC on Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 7:00 p.m.

Follow Us on Social Media: For the latest on the Delaware men's soccer program, follow the Blue Hens on Twitter @DelawareMSOC and Instagram @DelawareMSOC and like "Delaware Men's Soccer" on Facebook.