Aug. 26, 2011
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Bronx, N.Y. -
The Fordham Rams' men's soccer team will open the 2011 season on Saturday, August 27 against the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut. The game, originally slated for a 7:00 PM start time, has been pushed back to 1:00 PM, due to the impending storms from Hurricane Irene.
The team enters the competition after concluding the pre-season with a 1-0-1 mark. The Rams opened the exhibition portion of the schedule with a 5-2 win over Monroe College and followed that up with a 0-0 draw against NJIT. In 2010, the squad posted a 10-8 overall record and the 10 victories were the most by any team in the Jim McElderry era at Rose Hill.
Offensively, the team is led by All Atlantic-10 Second Team honoree Tim Richardson. He posted 10 points last season and was also named First Team All-Mid-Atlantic by the NSCAA. Richardson tied fellow senior, John McHugh, for the points lead with 10. McHugh returns for his final year also.
On defense, the Rams return 2010 team MVP, Ryan Meara in goal. Meara was named a First Team All A-10 performer and, like Richardson, was chosen as a First Team All-Mid-Atlantic member by the NSCAA. Helping him along the back line are returning players Michael Stalker, Phil Ferrantello, and Michael Valencia.
The Rams finished 2010 at 10-8 overall, including a 5-4 conference mark. They lost in a tie breaker to Xavier for the final spot in the A-10 Championship. The team opens at home on Wednesday, August 31 at 7:00 PM, when they host Lehigh.
