Following a non-conference season met with mixed results, the Golden Knights open up Liberty League play this weekend when the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team travels to take on the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers at 2:00 pm on Saturday while the Clarkson Women's Soccer team hosts RIT at 3:00 pm on Saturday at Hantz Turf Field.
On the men's side, the series is as even as it can get, with each team winning 20 times, as well at three ties. The Knights have outscored the Tigers 63-57 all time, but RIT has gotten the better of the last two games, winning both contests 1-0. The Tigers enter the game with a record of 3-3-1 and have outscored their opponents 12-10 on the year. John Kaddo has four goals and two assists to lead the offense while Mark Reeves has started all seven games in net, facing 89 shots, saving 24, and posting two shutouts.
The Green and Gold are coming off a victory Wednesday Night against the SUNY Canton Kangaroos that saw goalkeeper Michael King (Verona, NJ) record the first victory of his career in shutout fashion. Angelo DiFrancesco (Penfield, NY) assisted on two goals and Marco Parisi (Guilford, NY) regained the scoring lead on the season, netting his third goal of the year.
As for the women, RIT holds a significant edge in the series, going 20-5-2 against the Knights and outscoring them 56-28 all time. The Tigers have ridden their stingy defense to a 5-1-2 record, allowing only two goals all season. Amanda Murray has started five games in net for RIT, going 4-1-0 and recording four shutouts. She enters Saturday's game 7th in the nation in goals-against average, surrendering just .186 goals per game. Elizabeth May leads the offense with two goals and an assist, while two other Tigers have recorded two goals as well.
Clarkson Women's Soccer Program vs. RIT (PDF)
Looking for an offensive spark, the Golden Knights enter Saturday's home contest hoping to start league play on a positive note. The backline, guided by goalkeeper Kim Kenline (Akron, NY) has led the team thus far, allowing just over a goal per game this season. With RIT being another defensive-minded team, Clarkson will look to Nikki Carfi (Liverpool, NY) to lead the scoring attack. Notching a goal and two assists, Carfi leads the team with 18 shots and consistently pressures opposing defenses.
