NCAA Tournament Men’s Soccer Round of 16 Preview | Uni. of Redlands vs. Connecticut College

NCAA Tournament Men’s Soccer Round of 16 Preview | Uni. of Redlands vs. Connecticut College

NCAA Division III Men's Soccer National Championship Bracket

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Sweet 16 is set for the Division III Men's Soccer National Championships and the University of Redlands is one of those sixteen programs that have advanced through the first two rounds of the bracket.

The Bulldogs travel to Medford, MA, this Saturday, November 20 where they will square off against No. 6 Connecticut College.  The winner of the contest will take on the winner between Tufts University and Washington College.  This would be the Elite 8 match-up, which would occur on Sunday, November 21.               

Game Information

Date: Saturday, November 20

Time: 3:30pm EST

Location: Tufts University (Medford, MA)

Video: https://tuftsjumbocast.com/

Livestats: https://goredlands.com/sports/msoc/2021-22/boxscores/20211120_kdvo.xml

The Match-Up

Redlands (17-2-1, 9-2-1 SCIAC)

The Bulldogs are coming off back-to-back wins in the Pacific Northwest against Concordia (TX) University (2-0) and Pacific Lutheran University (4-1) that advanced them to the Sweet 16 for the seventh time in program history (2016, 2011, 2007, 2003, 2002), four of which have come under the tutelage of Head Coach Ralph Perez.

The 17 wins marks the most in a single season since 2016 when the Bulldogs finished in the Elite 8 posting an 18-6-1 record.  The Maroon and Grey have been dominant in the post season currently riding an eight game winning streak dating back to October 16.  They are also 12-1 across their past 13 games, which includes two wins in the SCIAC Tournament (No. 3 Cal Lutheran & No. 1 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps) and two wins in the first and second rounds of the National Championships (Concordia (TX) and Pacific Lutheran).

Collin ChubbFertal (Eugene, OR) leads the offense with 30 points coming on 14 goals and two assists on the season.  He has a .304 shot percentage, a .565 shot on goal percentage and seven game winners.  He also has a goal and an assist over his last two games and has 28 career goals, which ties him for 10th All-Time with his older brother Casey ChubbFertal '17.  He looks to junior Jamie Dulle (St. Louis, MO) who went off in the game against the Lutes providing a goal and two assists, and will also have a strong supporting cast with Steve Acuña (Pico Rivera, CA), Quinn Richards (San Clemente, CA), Ethan Kovach (Las Vegas, NV), Avery Jacobson (Seattle, WA), and Joseph Parra (West Covina, CA) who have combined for 19 goals and 22 assists.      

But defensively is where the Bulldogs have proven tough giving up just two goals over their last five games, which includes outscoring their post-season opponents 10-2.  The back line made up of SCIAC Defensive Athlete of the Year Arian Mogharei (Hayward, CA), and All-SCIAC performers Peyton Menti (Seattle, WA), Matt Beasley (Las Vegas, NV), and Mikey Flota (West Covina, CA) have proven to be one of the best defensive units in the country, giving up a 0.98 shooting percentage, and a 0.98 goals against average.

Between the posts the Maroon and Grey look to sophomore Seth Lawrence (Redlands, CA) who has moved into the No. 1 slot for the goalie tandem.  He has played all 90:00 minutes each of the past five games and comes in with 47 saves, an .825 save percentage, four shutouts, and a 0.75 goals against average.                

No. 6 Connecticut College (15-4-1, 8-2 NESCAC)

The Camels boast a 15-4-1, 8-2 NESCAC record and come into the Round of 16 with a pair of wins against Salem State (T 0-0 – Advanced on PK's 3-2), and New York University (3-0).  They are currently ranked No. 6 in the United Soccer Coaches Poll and played host for the opening weekend.  They are making their fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance and their fifth overall, have won their first NESCAC regular season title and advanced to the league's championship match for the first time in program history.

Connecticut College has relied on one of the league's top offenses, which is also extremely balanced, along with a stellar defense to find success so far this season. Sophomore Rye Jaran (Downingtown, Pa.) paces the offense with 14 points on five goals and four assists to date. Juniors Augie Djerdjaj (Mahopac, N.Y.) and Steve Yeonas (McLean, Va.) are among the veterans who continue to be offensive threats, and 17 players have registered a point.
 
Defensively, junior goalkeeper Sam Maidenberg (South Orange. N.J.) has stepped up between the posts following the graduation of AJ Marcucci, a two-time United Soccer Coaches All-America First Team selection, and has registered an .845 save percentage to go along with an 0.71 goals against average to date. Both marks rank among the best in the NESCAC. Freshmen Jorge Mendo (Zaragosa, Spain) and Jack Kelesoglu (Westfield, N.J.) have been among the leaders of a young and talented back line.     

The other teams who have qualified for the Round of 16 includes Tufts University, Washington College, North Park, St. Olaf, University of Chicago, Calvin, Washington & Lee, Christopher Newport, Messiah, Hanover, Amherst, SUNY Cortland, Middlebury, and John Carroll.