Men's Soccer Announces 2020 Schedule

By Marisa Lombardo (Assistant SID)

6/3/2020 3:40:00 PM

2020 Men's Soccer Schedule

Reading, Pa. (June 3, 2020) – Alvernia University Men’s Soccer announced on Tuesday its schedule for the upcoming 2020 season.

The Golden Wolves are coming off a 5-12-3 season last year. Alvernia was 4-3-1 in MAC Commonwealth play, and narrowly missed a MAC Commonwealth postseason berth.

“The men's soccer program is looking forward to the 2020 season. Holding true to our identity, we built the schedule to really challenge the team,” said Head Coach Casey Moore. “The schedule consists of regionally and nationally ranked opponents including multiple perennial NCAA powerhouses.”

Alvernia’s season is slated to get underway on Tuesday, September 1st against Marymount University.

Alvernia then plays in the Harrisburg/Lancaster Tournament on Friday, September 4th and Saturday, September 5th with games at PSU Harrisburg and Lancaster Bible College.

The Golden Wolves continue their road trip on September 9th with a 7:00 PM game against Rutgers-Camden.

Alvernia then cohosts the Alvernia/Penn State Berks Tournament on Saturday, September 12th and Sunday, September 13th. Alvernia will face Arcadia on Saturday at Penn State Berks. This will be the first time Alvernia faces Arcadia as a non-conference opponent since Alvernia joined the MAC Commonwealth in 2009. Arcadia joins the MAC Freedom with a MAC restructuring going into effect this year. On Sunday, Alvernia hosts Albright vs. Arcadia in a neutral site game before hosting Penn State Berks to close out the tournament at 4:00 PM.

Alvernia returns to the road on September 16th to face Elizabethtown before hosting Eastern Mennonite for the first time in program history on September 19th.

After heading to Selinsgrove, Pa. for a game against Susquehanna on September 23rd, Alvernia hosts Montclair State on Sunday, September 27th in another first-time matchup for the program. Montclair State is a powerhouse in the NJAC – winning the conference and making it to the NCAA Division III Elite 8 in 2019 before falling to Centre College in overtime.

On September 30th, Alvernia heads to Cabrini in its final non-conference game of the season before opening up its MAC Commonwealth schedule on Saturday, October 3rd at Hood.

After heading to Lebanon Valley on October 7th, Alvernia hosts defending MAC Commonwealth Champion Messiah College for Alvernia’s Homecoming and Family Weekend on October 10th.

The Golden Wolves then hosts crosstown rival Albright College on October 13th.

Alvernia then heads to York College for its first MAC Commonwealth game against the Spartans. York joins the MAC Commonwealth after leaving the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC). The Golden Wolves and the Spartans have faced each other six times in the past. Alvernia has never won against the Spartans, but they have tied them twice.

Four days later, Alvernia hosts Eastern University in another first time MAC Commonwealth matchup. The Eagles join the Commonwealth after leaving the MAC Freedom in the same restructuring that sent Arcadia to the Freedom along with Lycoming College. Eastern won the MAC Freedom Championship four of the last five years. The Golden Wolves and Eagles are very familiar with each other, facing off 24 times in program history. Eastern holds the advantage with 16 wins over Alvernia. They most recently met last year where the two teams played to a 1-1 tie.

On October 24th, Alvernia takes a break from MAC Commonwealth play and heads west to take on Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh.

Alvernia returns to its MAC Commonwealth schedule on Tuesday, October 27th at Widener University.

The Golden Wolves then close out their regular season schedule on Saturday, October 31st with a prime time game against Stevenson University.

“There isn't one true game that stands out on our schedule as a no holds bar, foaming at the mouth, take no prisoners type of hype,” said Coach Moore of the 2020 schedule. “We are truly just focused on one game at a time and preparing for each game as if it is a championship match. We do love to play at home in front of our families, supporters and the Wolf Pack. We are pumped to get conference play started up especially with the addition of two really strong teams to the MAC Commonwealth. We are excited for the challenges ahead.”

“This season we are really hoping to improve our efficiency in front of goal. This past season we did well with our build-up play and chance creation but we lacked a finishing touch,” added Coach Moore.

“There isn't one true game that stands out on our schedule as a no holds bar, foaming at the mouth, take no prisoners type of hype. We are truly just focused on one game at a time and preparing for each game as if it is a championship match.

- Head Coach Casey Moore

In 2019, Alvernia posted a 44% shot on goal percentage, a 9% drop from 2018.

“We will have a strong focus on improving our consistency, composure, and rate of finishing in the final third. We can't wait to feel that rush of us scoring some important goals this year,” said Moore.

The Golden Wolves graduated four seniors from the program in 2019, but are set to return 21 members of the 2019 team.

“A big factor for our success this year will be the maturity and mentality of our team. With a young group last season, we faced many hardships so this has become a major opportunity for us to grow and improve,” said Coach Moore.

Among the 21 returners are Alvernia’s top three leading scorers in All-MAC Commonwealth honoree Ryan Kuster (nine goals), All-MAC Commonwealth honoree Trent Rider (two goals, two assists), and Braden Kreider (two goals, two assists).

“We have a talented group of players that are trying to absorb and learn as much as they can and we feel their maturity levels and mentality can carry us to new heights. They are currently fortifying their mental toughness and resilience with the realities and restrictions of this pandemic. We are looking forward to seeing their growth firsthand,” said Moore. “We are eager for the fall to start up so we can be back together competing and having fun as a family. We are confident in the returning group and also excited about the new additions. We can't wait to take the field together soon!”

Stick with auwolves.com and Vern Athletics on social media for all of the latest information on the 2020 season.

# GOLDEN WOLVES #

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