Oct. 15, 2012

NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Men's - Mid-Atlantic Poll

Bronx, N.Y. -

After a four week hiatus from the regional polls, the Fordham University men's soccer team returned to the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Mid-Atlantic Men's Soccer Poll today as the Rams are ranked in an eighth place tie with Bucknell University.

The Fordham ascension occurred following a weekend that saw the Rams go 1-0-1 in two Atlantic 10 matches this weekend with a 2-1 win at George Washington on Sunday and a scoreless tie at #22 Charlotte on Friday night.

In the Charlotte tie, sophomore keeper Sean Brailey recorded six saves to pick up his fifth shutout of the year while in the win over the Colonials, Kyle Bitterman netted the game-winner with just over a minute left in regulation.

The Rams are currently 5-4-2 on the season, 1-1-1 in the Atlantic 10, and have allowed just two goals in the past five games.

Offensively, Fordham is led by Kalle Sotka and Bitterman who each has two goals and two assists on the year for six points while Michael Valencia and Tommy Granot each has a goal and an assist for three points.

The team's biggest strength for the second straight year is the defense. Brailey has a 5-4-2 mark and a 0.60 GAA with five shutouts to his credit, while the back line of Ryan Curran, Michael Stalker, Casper Gimand and Ryan Cupolo have allowed just seven goals in eleven games.

The Rams are next in action on Friday night, October 19th, as they host the VCU Rams in an Atlantic 10 matchup at 5:00 p.m. on Jack Coffey Field in the first game of a soccer doubleheader as the Fordham women take on La Salle at 7:30 pm.