Saint Francis Men’s Soccer Hosts FDU In Key NEC Match

Men's Soccer | 10/25/2025 10:02:00 AM

The Red Flash enter the contest atop the NEC standings by two points and can clinch a postseason berth with a victory over the Knights and a loss by Stonehill or LIU.

Saint Francis looks to make the most of its lone weekend home match as the team continues its push toward the NEC Tournament.

THE WORD ON THE KNIGHTS
FDU enters Sunday's match with an 8–3–3 overall record and a 4–0–1 mark in NEC play, sitting among the league's top contenders. The Knights have been one of the conference's most balanced teams, averaging nearly two goals per game while holding opponents under one.

Offensively, FDU has scored 27 goals on the season and features multiple threats in attack. Luke Ayaz and Arnau Rabassa Guillamon lead the way with five goals and two assists each, while Jaime Barbero has added four goals and four game-winners. Eric Dlabal and Takuto Nishide have combined for five goals and eight assists, and Alex Ferenac has chipped in with four assists. In total, 12 different Knights have found the scoresheet this season.

Defensively, FDU has been steady in front of goal, allowing just 12 goals across 14 matches. Goalkeeper Matheus Franca has started the majority of contests, making 24 saves with a .706 save percentage and three shutouts, while Victor Laracca and Noah Reuscher have also contributed in net.

The Knights have won six of their last eight outings and remain unbeaten in conference play as they head to Loretto for Sunday's crucial NEC matchup.

LAST TIME OUT
Saint Francis men's soccer suffered its first NEC setback of the season, falling 1–0 on the road at Howard on Sunday afternoon in Washington, D.C. Despite controlling large portions of the match and generating multiple scoring chances, the Red Flash were unable to find the equalizer after conceding late in the first half.

The decisive moment came in the 39th minute, when Howard capitalized on a key opportunity to take a 1–0 lead just before halftime. Moments earlier, Saint Francis had nearly struck first, with Thiago Pires hitting the post only three minutes prior to the Bison's goal.

In the second half, the Red Flash kept up the pressure but couldn't break through. Alex De Nittis tested the Howard keeper with a strong effort in the 58th minute, followed by a shot from Andre Isreal in the 62nd. Volkan Celikkol forced another save in the 75th minute, and freshman Ryan Seaman nearly found the equalizer in the 82nd.

Goalkeeper Diego Garciarena made two key saves — including a late stop in the 89th minute — to keep the Red Flash within striking distance until the final whistle.

Freshman defender Seaman registered his first collegiate shot on goal, while fellow first-year Harry Elmore made his first conference start.

Saint Francis now turns its focus to a crucial home matchup against FDU on Sunday, Oct. 26, at 3:00 p.m., looking to remain unbeaten at Stokes Soccerplex in NEC play.

NEXT TIME OUT
Saint Francis men's soccer will play its final road match of the regular season on Thursday, Oct. 30, traveling to North Easton, Massachusetts, to take on Stonehill at 3 p.m. in W.B. Mason Stadium.

This matchup marks the Red Flash's second-to-last NEC game before the conference playoffs commence. Saint Francis will look to maintain its unbeaten record against the Skyhawks, holding a 2–0–1 all-time advantage with back-to-back shutout victories, including a 1–0 road result in 2023.

NEC HONORS
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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Garciarena posted a career-high seven saves against New Haven and allowed just one goal in the 1–0 loss at Howard. Through nine starts this season, he has logged 810 minutes in net with 27 saves, two shutouts, and a 1.67 goals-against average, anchoring a defense that has allowed just 15 goals in nine matches. This is his second consecutive week earning NEC Prime Performer recognition.

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.

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.

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