FC Tucson News Release -- www.fctucson.com
Monday, September 2, 2013
TUCSON, Ariz. — NCAA Men’s Soccer officially kicked off this weekend and the 11 schools who dress 20 of FC Tucson’s players did well to open the year. The schools’ total record was 9-5 over the weekend. Four different players scored goals (Ryan Felix, Aaron Long, Carlos Montes and Ricardo Velazco) while one player, Ivan Garcia, notched an assist.
For a full run down on all the weekend’s action, check out the capsules below.
Louisville
Ricardo Velazco wasted no time notching his first points for the 10th-ranked Cardinals. In the 22nd minute of Louisville’s 2-1 win over No. 20 Virginia, Velazco scored the match’s first goal. Velazco started the match and tallied three shots on the night.
Virginia Tech
David Clemens started both of his team’s matches over the weekend and notched six total shots but he couldn’t get on the score sheet. (He almost connected on a bicycle kick against Binghamton, but missed wide.) The Hokies split their opening two matches in the James Madison University Tournament, beating Binghamton 1-0 on Friday and then falling to Fordham 2-1 on Sunday. Despite not scoring, Clemens played well enough to be named to the All-Tournament team.
California-Riverside
On Friday the Highlanders opened the season with a 1-0 win over Iona and Ivan Garcia had a helping hand in the match’s lone goal. Garcia’s give-and-go with teammate Romario Lomeli broke the freshman free to score. Garcia came off the bench and played 59 minutes. Aaron Long started the match and logged 81 minutes.
Riverside played again on Sunday and the team notched its second consecutive shutout in a 2-0 win over Marist. Long, who started and played 68 minutes, scored the Highlanders’ first goal. Garcia also started the match and played 62 minutes.
Gonzaga
The Bulldogs lost their lone match of the weekend, dropping a tough 1-0 decision to No. 21 Washington. Conner Bevans and Greg Carter started the match and both nearly scored. Early in the match, Bevans hit the far left post on a lob shot. Then late in the match, Bevans perfectly served his former FC Tucson teammate in the box, but Carter’s header just sailed over the bar.
Liberty
Tim Harbison started the season opener at midfield and took two shots during the match but couldn’t get on the score sheet. Liberty opened their season with a 1-0 win over Georgia State.
Loyola Marymount
The Lions opened the year with a 2-1 win over visiting Florida International. Ryan Felix opened his team’s scoring by converting a penalty kick just four minutes before halftime. Felix started the match and played a full 90 minutes.
Sacramento State
The Hornets opened their season with a 1-0 overtime win over San Jose State. Isaac Ikyurav and Gabe Silveira did not play.
San Diego
Beginning a season against a rival is never easy. The Toreros found that out the hard way in a 5-0 loss to open the year against San Diego State. No FC Tucson player got on the score sheet, but Connor Brandt and El Galbraith-Knapp started the match for San Diego. Brandt notched two shots.
San Francisco
The Dons notched back-to-back shutouts in their opening two matches, both 2-0 wins. On Friday night, San Francisco shut out Long Island University-Brooklyn. Then on Sunday, the Dons shut down Air Force. Kevin Gould started both matches along the back line and notched two shots in both matches.
Santa Clara
The Broncos dropped their home opener in double overtime to SIUE, 2-1. Carlos Montes, James Huffer, Max Ornstil and Matt Escobar all started the match. Montes led all offensive players with four total shots, three shots on goal and the team’s lone goal of the match. Huffer played his fist minutes ever for Santa Clara. He redshirt his freshman season in 2012.
South Florida
The Bulls took a 2-1 lead over Florida Gulf Coast three minute into the second half, but they couldn’t hold on to the lead and settled for a 2-2 draw. Dallas Jaye got the start for South Florida and allowed both goals. He also had two saves.