| Matchup |
Merrimack (12-5, 8-5 NE10) // American Int'l (7-8-2, 5-6-2 NE10) |
| Date/Time |
Friday, November 2, 2018 (5 p.m.) |
| Venue |
Martone-Mejail Field // North Andover, Mass. |
| Multimedia |
Watch // Live Stats // Twitter |
NORTH ANDOVER, Mass – The Merrimack College men's soccer team is set to host eighth-seeded American International in the Northeast-10 Conference Semifinals this Friday at 5 p.m. American International is coming into Friday fresh off of a major upset against top-seeded Le Moyne this past Tuesday, winning 2-1 on the road. The Warriors look for another strong performance to build off of its lat win over Assumption in the first round of playoffs.
Ticket Prices:
- Adults - $6.
- Children/Seniors - $4.
- Students (with valid NE-10 ID) - $1.
Inside the Series:
- The Warriors traveled to AIC back in September coming away with a 1-0 win, in which senior Goalkeeper of the Year Tyler Packett recorded his fourth shutout of the season while recording four saves.
- The loan goal in the previous matchup came in the 71st minute on a header by freshman Tola Showunmi off of a perfect assist from senior Lars Sund.
- Merrimack is 12-5-3 in 20 meetings with the Yellow Jackets dating back to 2000.
- This is the second postseason meeting between the two teams in the last three years. Last came in 2016 when Merrimack defeated AIC 2-0.
Five Things to Know:
- Five players were named to all-conference teams led by Tyler Packett, who received the NE10 Goalkeeper of the Year Award. Lars Sund and Junior Mirko Nufi were also named to First-Team All-Conference; sophomore Filippo Begliardi Ghidini earned Second-Team honors, and freshman Tola Showunmi was honored as part of the All-Rookie team.
- Merrimack will be heading into play looking to defend last season's NE10 title.
- Packett and the Warriors have not allowed a goal in 3 contests; the last coming in a 1-0 loss to Southern Connecticut.
- AIC and Merrimack rank fourth and fifth respectively in the NE10 in goals scored this season (29, 27).
- Merrimack's defense has held opponents to an NE10-low 13 goals this season. It shares the same goals-against average as SNHU (0.76), with one less match played.
Inside the Matchup:
| Merrimack (12-5, 8-5 NE10) |
Category |
American Int'l (7-8-2, 5-6-2 NE10) |
| 1.59 |
Scoring Offense |
1.71 |
| 0.76 |
Scoring Defense |
2.00 |
| Tola Showunmi (7-1—15) |
Leading Scorer |
Josip Validzic (8-1-17) |
| Showunmi (7) |
Goals Leader |
Validzic (8) |
| Lars Sund (5) |
Assists Leader |
Connor Hicks (5) |
| Tyler Packett (52) |
Saves Leader |
Ioannis Iatroudis (26) |
| Packett (0.77) |
GAA Leader |
2-Tied (1.50) |
| Packett (.800) |
Save Percentage Leader |
Iatroudis (.722) |
Up Next
The winner of Friday's contest will be traveling to the winner of the #2-#3 game between Southern New Hampshire and the hosts, Adelphi, for the NE10 Championship.
