BROCKTON, Mass. ---- The 14th-ranked Massasoit men's soccer team begins the 2016 season by hosting nationally ranked Mercer County Community College on Friday at Warrior Field.
GAME INFORMATION
Matchup: #14 Massasoit CC Warriors (0-0) vs. #16 Mercer County CC Vikings (2-0-1)
Date: Friday, Sept. 2
Time: 3:30 PM
Location: Brockton, Mass. (Warrior Field)
SERIES HISTORY
In the last four meetings against Mercer, Massasoit owns the upper hand, boasting a 2-1-1 record. The two teams met for Massasoit's opener on Sept. 6 of last year in New Jersey, with the Vikings winning in dominant fashion, 6-0.
The last matchup between the two colleges in Brockton, was in the 2014 Northeast District semifinals at Warrior Field, with the Warriors prevailing, 1-0.
SCOUTING MERCER COUNTY
The Vikings have already played three matches before Massasoit has taken the field for the first time in 2016. Mercer owns a 2-0-1 record, tying Suffolk CC 2-2, before claiming 4-0 victories against Hagerstown CC and CCBC Cantonsville. The 10 Vikings goals have been divided up amongst seven players with Humberto Blanco, Wesley Gramajo Reys and Anthony Romboski each netting two goals apiece.
FIRST KICK OF 2016
Massasoit returns to the pitch after a historic run during the 2015 campaign. The Warriors captured their 25th Region 21 Championship in program history en route to making the NJCAA Nationals for the first time in 20 seasons. Massasoit finished with a record of 13-8 overall last season.
43rd SEASON OF MEN'S SOCCER AT MASSASOIT
Massasoit is celebrating its 50th celebration as a college during the 2016-17 academic year, but in addition it is also the 43rd season of having a men's soccer program in Brockton. Since 1974 the Warriors have accumulated a record of 613-119-42, winning an astonishing 81.9 percent of their matches.
ESTRELA ERA
Head coach Rui Estrela enters his 11th season the sidelines with the Warriors, owning a career record of 131-52-12 and has captured eight Region 21 Championships in 10 seasons.
TOP-20 SHOWNDOWN
Massasoit was ranked No. 14 in the NJCAA Division I preseason rankings, while Mercer sits 16th in the nation.
#WARRIOR2WATCH: SIDNEY CARDOSO
Rising sophomore Sidney Cardoso is the top returner on the Warriors in goals (16), assists (8) and points (40) from last season. He also scored multiple goals during a four-game stretch in 2015.
RETURNERS
From 2015
Sidney Cardoso, F – 16g, 8a
Kyle McGibbon, MF/D – 5g, 2a
Miguel Pavao, MF/D – 1g, 1a
From 2014
Nathan Estrela, F – 2G, 4a
Estefanio Barbosa, GK