Loretto, Pa- The defending Northeast Conference regular-season champion Red Flash men's soccer team opens the 2015 season at the Greyhounds of Loyola (Md.) on Friday night.
About the Flash The Flash are coming off a pair of scoreless draws against Pitt and Cleveland State in the pre-season. Saint Francis was pegged second in the Northeast Conference pre-season poll behind only St. Francis-Brooklyn who won the NEC tournament last season.
Junior
Francis de Vries (Christchurch, New Zealand/Cashmere) helps highlight a backline that recorded 10 shutouts last season. The New Zealander was named to the Hermann Trophy watch list, given annually to the Nation's top men's soccer player. Goalkeeper
Andrew Garcia (Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Regional) was a stalwart in net in 2014 with the 10 clean sheets and recorded two in the pre-season.
The Flash welcome in five newcomers to a veteran squad that returns nine starters from last year's 13- win squad.
About the Greyhounds Loyola was picked eighth in the Patriot League Pre-season poll. Loyola will have a new look from last season's 5-8-4 record. The Greyhounds welcome in 12 newcomers to go along with 13 returners. Loyola did graduate their top two scorers from a season ago.
The Match-Up This is the back end of a home-and-home between the teams. The Red Flash won the 2014 season opener in Loretto 2-0 last August. Historically, Loyola owns a 2-1-1 advantage over the Flash with Saint Francis earning a result in the past two meetings.
Coverage Loyola is providing free live stats while the Patriot League Network will provide free video. Links for both stats and video can be found on the men's soccer schedule page.
