Men’s Soccer | 11/15/2025 9:30:00 AM


Story Links

Sunday, November 16 | FDU | Teaneck, N.J. | University Stadium | 12 p.m. | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

OPENING PITCH VS FDU

Saint Francis men’s soccer continues its quest for an NEC championship title at FDU Sunday. The Red Flash will take on the Knights for the second time this season and for the first time since 2012 in the NEC championship match. This will be the ninth appearance in the championship match for the Red Flash dating back to 2006.

THE WORD ON THE KNIGHTS

FDU enters Sunday’s match 12-4-3 overall and 7-1-1 in the NEC. The Knights took on Le Moyne on Thursday for its semifinal matchup in Teaneck, N.J. The Dolphins had a lead over the Knights going into the seond half 1-0. The Knights came back in the second half putting three in the back of the net in the span of 15 minutes. Scoring for FDU in the semifinal match was Connor O Reilly with two and Arnau Rabassa Guillamon with one. In goal, Matheus Franca, made three saves with one goal allowed. 

LAST TIME WE MET

Saint Francis men’s soccer matched up with FDU last on October 26.  The early goal set the tone for the Red Flash, who maintained the 1-0 lead throughout the match behind numerous standout defensive efforts and key saves that kept FDU off the scoreboard.  

The decisive sequence began when Julian Quiroga made a clean, game-changing slide tackle and was fouled, but the referee allowed play to continue. Harry Elmore initiated a precise team play, connecting with Alex De Nittis, who delivered a perfect ball to Thero Mitchell III. Mitchell’s cross found Elmore on the run, allowing him to finish a beautiful counterattack that ultimately decided the match. 

LAST TIME OUT 

The Red Flash came out attacking right away holding possession the majority of the first half. At the six minute mark, Julian Quiroga sent a rocket to the back of the net that brushed over the finger tips of the LIU goalkeeper. Saint Francis was able to carry out the remaining 39 minutes with a one goal lead over the Sharks.

Seven minutes into the second half, Alex De Nittis capitalized on a shot outside of the box on the left side that whizzed past the diving goalkeeper to the back right lower corner of the net. The Red Flash were able to hold to take a breather as they now had a two goal cushion on LIU. Saint Francis held on for the next 38 minutes battling bac and forth with the Sharks with possession held and shots taken. Diego Garciarena made seven saves in goal following the 90 minutes. The Red Flash being out shot 10-9, were still able to hold onto this key win to send them to the championship game on Sunday.

NEXT TIME OUT 

The winner of Sunday’s match will advance to the NCAA tournament.  

NEC HONORS

Seven members of the Saint Francis men’s soccer team earn NEC honors. Diego Garciarena was named Goalkeeper of the Year and earned a spot on the All-NEC first team along with Álvaro Planas, Mika Wernicke, and Jonah Wolf. Harry Elmore, Connor O’Keefe, and Thero Mitchell III  were also named to the NEC All-Rookie team.

Freshman, Harry Elmore, and senior, Garciarena, were recognized the week Oct. 27th at Rookie of the Week and Player of the Week. Elmore earned his first collegiate honor after scoring the game-winning goal—and his first collegiate goal—in the second minute of the match. The decisive strike came on a brilliant team counterattack initiated by Julian Quiroga, with Thero Mitchell III finding Elmore on the run for a composed finish inside the box. The freshman nearly doubled the Red Flash lead midway through the first half with a deflected shot that narrowly missed the crossbar, continuing to make an impact in his debut campaign. Garciarena was sensational in goal, setting a new career high with 13 saves to record his third shutout of the season and help the Red Flash clinch a postseason berth for the fourth-straight year. He made multiple key stops in each half, including a diving save in the 52nd minute and two crucial late-game denials in the 76th and 86th minutes to preserve the 1–0 lead against FDU. Through 10 starts this season, Garciarena has logged 900 minutes in net with 40 saves, three shutouts, and a 1.50 goals-against average, continuing to anchor one of the NEC’s top defensive units.

For the week of Oct. 22, three Red Flash standouts, Álvaro Planas, Diego Garciarena, and Alex De Nittis, were recognized as NEC Prime Performers. Planas struck twice in the victory over New Haven, finding the net twice in a two-minute span, and added a shot on goal in the loss at Howard. Through 13 games this season, he has 4 goals, 2 assists, 10 points, 11 shots, and 5 shots on goal. This marks his third career NEC Prime Performer honor and his second of the 2025 season. 

De Nittis recorded a career-best five points in the 5–1 win over New Haven, scoring twice and adding an assist. His performance capped a three-match scoring streak that ended at Howard, where he still produced four shots, including one on goal. De Nittis currently leads the NEC in points per game (1.43) and ranks second in game-winning goals with two. Over seven appearances this season, he has scored against LIU, Chicago State, and New Haven, making this his second career NEC Prime Performer selection. 

Saint Francis goalkeeper Diego Garciarena was recognized by the NEC for the week of Oct. 13 following his shutout performance in a 2–0 road win over Chicago State. The junior continues to be a steady presence for the Red Flash, anchoring a defense that has delivered multiple strong outings in recent weeks. 

Freshman forward Thero Mitchell III was named NEC Co-Player of the Week, Rookie of the Week, and a Prime Performer for the week of Oct. 6. Mitchell has been a key offensive presence for the Red Flash, scoring in back-to-back conference matches to help Saint Francis remain unbeaten in league play through three games. 

Álvaro Planas was recognized as an NEC Prime Performer of the Week on Sept. 29. Planas delivered a clutch performance in Saint Francis’ 2–1 road win at Le Moyne, recording the game-winning goal and assisting Red Flash’s first score to help secure the conference-opening victory. 

Jonah Wolf was recognized as an NEC Prime Performer of the Week on Sept. 15. Wolf turned in a standout performance in Saint Francis’ 3–3 draw at Loyola Maryland, recording his first career goal and adding an assist.  

PRESEASON POLL

Saint Francis men’s soccer was picked fifth in the NEC Preseason Poll. Mercyhurst, which won the NEC regular season, and LIU, which won the NEC Tournament, have been selected as co-preseason favorites after LIU earned three first-place votes and Mercyhurst garnered five. FDU picked up the remaining two top votes, while Le Moyne, Saint Francis, Stonehill, New Haven, Howard, Chicago State, and CCSU rounded out the poll. Mercyhurst and New Haven are both ineligible for the postseason. 

 

INTERNATIONAL FLARE
Head coach Mads Kaiser has nine players that have come from outside the United States: Volkan Celikkol (Turkey), Alex De Nittis(Germany), Harry Elmore (England), Alejandro Escobar (Columbia), Diego Garciarena (Paraguay), Álvaro Planas (Spain), Julian Quiroga(Bolivia), Harvey Skurek (England), Mika Wernicke (Germany) and Jonah Wolf (Germany). 

ABOUT THE COACH 

Mads Kaiser begins his third season as the Red Flash men’s soccer head coach. In his first season, Saint Francis was the only NCAA Division I team to finish undefeated with a 7-0-8 record and won the NEC regular season. Saint Francis is 14-7-10 overall and 10-2-3 in NEC play. The Red Flash hosted an NEC Semifinals Game in his first two years. He was an assistant in Loretto for two seasons prior to his elevation as head coach.