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STANDISH, Maine \u2014 Fifth-seeded Saint Joseph’s College (7-2-8, 6-0-6 GNAC) travels to top-seeded Emmanuel College (11-5-3, 9-2-1 GNAC) for a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men’s Soccer Tournament semifinal Wednesday, November 4, at 7:00 PM at Roberto Clemente Field in Boston.<\/p>\n
The winner advances to Saturday’s GNAC Championship against either third-seeded Rivier or seventh-seeded Norwich.<\/p>\n
HOW THEY GOT HERE:<\/p>\n
Saint Joseph’s advanced past fourth-seeded University of Saint Joseph, the two-time defending GNAC champion, with a 5-4 penalty-kick shootout victory following a 2-2 draw Saturday. Seniors Zander Haskell<\/a> (Scarborough, Maine) and Diego Robinson<\/a> (Hinesburg, Vt.) scored for the Monks, who converted all five shootout attempts. Senior goalkeeper Alex Bachmann<\/a> (Scarborough, Maine) saved the Blue Jays’ second kick, and sophomore Mattheus Silva<\/a> (Acton, Mass.) converted the deciding attempt.<\/p>\n Emmanuel secured its semifinal berth with a 1-0 victory over eighth-seeded Regis College on Saturday. Jaylen Goodall scored at 65:40 off an assist from Benjamin Anderson, while goalkeeper Ivan Gonzalez made four saves to earn the shutout and extend the Saints’ winning streak to eight games.<\/p>\n BRACKETOLOGY:<\/p>\n GNAC Men’s Soccer Tournament Schedule<\/p>\n Quarterfinals \u2013 Saturday, Oct. 31<\/p>\n #1 Emmanuel def. #8 Regis, 1-0 Semifinals \u2013 Wednesday, Nov. 4<\/p>\n #1 Emmanuel vs. #5 Saint Joseph’s, 7:00 PM Championship \u2013 Saturday, Nov. 7<\/p>\n Semifinal winners, TBD<\/p>\n QUICK FACTS:<\/p>\n
PLAYERS TO WATCH:<\/p>\n Saint Joseph’s:<\/p>\n
Emmanuel:<\/p>\n
KEEPER COMPARISON:<\/p>\n Saint Joseph’s: Alex Bachmann<\/a> (Sr., Scarborough, Maine) \u2013 Leads the GNAC and ranks 12th nationally with an .853 save percentage. He ranks third in the conference in goals-against average (0.90), fourth in saves (87), and tied for second in shutouts (six). Bachmann owns a 7-2-8 record and has started all 17 contests for the Monks.<\/p>\n Emmanuel: David Derk (Fr., Wellington, Fla.) \u2013 Is tied for third in the GNAC in save percentage (.800) and ranks fourth in goals-against average (0.95). He has recorded 40 saves and four shutouts while posting a 5-3-2 record in 11 starts. Ivan Gonzalez earned the start in Saturday’s quarterfinal and made four saves in the Saints’ shutout victory.<\/p>\n THE SKIPPERS:<\/p>\n Saint Joseph’s: Will Pike ’11<\/a> \u2013 Eighth season (80-32-21)<\/p>\n Emmanuel: Keith Danley \u2013 First season (11-5-3)<\/p>\n THE LAST TIME WE MET:<\/p>\n The teams played to a scoreless draw on September 15. Freshman midfielder Damir Brkic<\/a> (South Portland, Maine) tested Emmanuel goalkeeper David Derk just 2:30 into the contest and added two more attempts as the Monks carried a 5-3 advantage in shots into halftime.<\/p>\n Saint Joseph’s outshot Emmanuel, 10-8, in the second half. Brkic put another attempt on target in the 72nd minute, and graduate midfielder Hayes Sweeney<\/a> (Hollis, Maine) followed with a shot less than three minutes later. The Saints received a penalty kick in the 76th minute, but Bachmann denied Jacob Beck’s attempt and added two more saves during the ensuing three minutes to preserve the deadlock.<\/p>\n
\n#7 Norwich advanced past #2 Albertus Magnus, 1-1 (7-6 PKs)
\n#3 Rivier def. #6 Elms, 1-0
\n#5 Saint Joseph’s advanced past #4 University of Saint Joseph, 2-2 (5-4 PKs)<\/p>\n
\n#3 Rivier vs. #7 Norwich, 6:00 PM<\/p>\n
\n\tSaint Joseph’s is unbeaten on the road with a 3-0-5 record, while Emmanuel is 6-2-3 at home.
\n\tThe Monks are 5-0-3 over their last eight games, while the Saints have won eight consecutive contests.
\n\tSaint Joseph’s leads the GNAC in assists per game (1.76), points per game (6.12), goal differential (+22), shots per game (18.65), and shots on goal per game (8.94).
\n\tDefensively, the Monks lead the conference in save percentage (.862) and shutout percentage (.471). Their save percentage ranks third in NCAA Division III.
\n\tEmmanuel leads the GNAC in winning percentage (.658) and ranks second in shutout percentage (.421).
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\n\tNick Marion<\/a> (Jr., Windham, Maine) \u2013 Ranks second in the GNAC in points (24), is tied for second in goals (nine), and is tied for third in assists (six).
\n\tDamir Brkic<\/a> (Fr., South Portland, Maine) \u2013 Is tied for fourth in the GNAC in goals (seven) and ranks fifth in points (18). He also ranks second in shots on goal per game (1.76) and fourth in shots per game (3.41).
\n\tGodin Ndayishimiye<\/a> (Jr., Bujumbura, Burundi) \u2013 Ranks third on the team with 11 points.
\n\tZander Haskell<\/a> (Sr., Scarborough, Maine) \u2013 Has scored four goals in seven appearances.
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\n\tRafael Matamoros (Jr., Weston, Fla.) \u2013 Leads the Saints in goals (six), assists (five), and points (17). His five assists rank eighth in the GNAC.
\n\tLuis Pimentel (Jr., Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic) \u2013 Ranks second on the team in assists (four) and points (10) and is tied for second with three goals.
\n\tJoao Ramos (So., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) \u2013 Is tied for second on the team with three goals and owns a 50.0% shooting percentage.
\n\tJacob Nardelli (Fr., Middletown, Conn.) \u2013 Is tied for second on the team with three goals and ranks third with two assists.
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