Men’s Soccer Set to Host Third Annual Gary Smith Invitational This Weekend
Patchogue, NY| For the third-straight season, the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's soccer team will host the Gary Smith Invitational tournament this weekend at Danzi Stadium in Patchogue, NY. The games will be played at 12:00 PM and 2:0 PM on Saturday, September 12 and Sunday, September 13. The Golden Eagles will play the opener against Randolph-Macon College on Saturday and the closer against Stevenson University on Sunday.
Stevenson is set to face FDU-Florham—who has participated in the event every year—at 2:00 PM on Saturday. FDU will also play Randolph-Macon at 12:00 PM on Sunday.
Meet the Teams
St. Joseph's College
Mascot: Golden Eagles
Location: Patchogue, NY
Conference: Skyline
Record: 0-3 (0-0)
The Golden Eagles enter the Invitational having never won a game in any of the previous incarnations. After dropping their first two games of the 2015 season against Emory and Oglethorpe on a preseason trip to Atlanta, the Golden Eagles returned home for their home opener on Wednesday night, but were topped 5-1 by Kean.
Player to Watch: #19 Alex Guadagno
The senior forward is healthy and has been strong on the ball early this season. The Suffolk County CC transfer netted four goals in 14 games last season and has tallied one of St. Joseph's two goals so far this season.
FDU-Florham
Mascot: Devils
Location: Madison, NJ
Conference: MAC
Record: 2-1 (0-0)
Competing in the Invitational for the third time, FDU-Florham—who claimed the title in 2013—enters 2015 after a first-round exit in the MAC Freedom Tournament in 2014. So far this year they earned victories over Berkeley College (NY) and Old Westbury, but were downed by Drew University on Wednesday evening.
Player to Watch: #7 Jose Guardado
After being held off the scoresheet in his collegiate debut against Berkeley on September 1, the freshman forward tallied one goal and two assists in a win over Old Westbury and a goal in a loss to Drew on Wednesday.
Randolph-Macon College
Mascot: Yellow Jackets
Location: Ashland, VA
Conference: ODAC
Record: 1-1 (0-0)
A first-time Invitational competitor, Randolph-Macon looks to improve off of a 4-13 (2-9 ODAC) season in 2014. They enter the tournament fresh off of a 2-0 win at Marymount on Wednesday evening. At 1-1 on the season, the Yellow Jackets will seek to build momentum before they begin conference play on September 23.
Player to Watch: #15 Tyler Slayton
After leading his side in goals last season (4) in only 11 starts as a freshman, Slayton will hope to add to his total in 2015. The forward has only appeared in one match this season and was held scoreless.
Mascot: Mustangs
Location: Owings Mills, MD
Conference: MAC
Record: 1-3 (0-0)
Despite posting a 10-8-2 overall record in 2014, Stevenson struggled in conference play, going 1-5-2 in eight games. The Mustangs graduated their captain and leading scorer following the season, and have posted a 1-3 record so far in 2015, having most recently been defeated by Lancaster Bible on Tuesday.
Player to Watch: #18 Reid Hawkins
The senior midfielder has been credited with three of the Mustangs' eight goals in 2015 and has already equaled his 2014 total. He potted two goals in the side's 3-2 loss to Lancaster Bible and will be leaned on to continue contributing on the offensive side of the ball.
