Men's Soccer | 10/1/2025 10:02:00 AM

Thursday, October 2 | Mercyhurst | Loretto, Pa. | Stokes Soccerplex | 3 p.m. | LIVE STATS | LIVE VIDEO

OPENING PITCH VS MERCYHURST
The Saint Francis Red Flash return to Stokes Soccerplex on Thursday, Oct. 2, hosting Mercyhurst University at 3:00 p.m. in their first home Northeast Conference matchup of the season. 

SFU enters the contest riding the momentum from their 2–1 road victory at Le Moyne in the NEC opener, looking to carry that confidence into a win against the Lakers. Last season, the Red Flash fell 3–0 in their only meeting at Mercyhurst on Oct. 10, 2024. 

This game presents an opportunity for Saint Francis to secure their first home conference win of 2025 and build on their season-opening success in conference play. 

THE WORD ON THE LAKERS
Mercyhurst University enters Thursday's matchup at Stokes Soccerplex with a 0–5–3 overall record, including a tie in its most recent game. The Lakers are looking for their first conference win of the 2025 season. 

Offensively, Mercyhurst has scored two goals in eight games. Key contributors include Marcel Duffau (1 goal, 0 assists), Alvar Silva (1 goal, 0 assists) and Santiago Giraldo (0 goals, 8 shots on goal).  

Mercyhurst will look to turn the tide in conference play and challenge Saint Francis in what promises to be a competitive matchup at Stokes Soccerplex. 

LAST TIME WE MET
Saint Francis men's soccer suffered a 3-0 loss at Mercyhurst on Oct. 10, 2024, marking their first conference defeat in more than two years. Dylan Sumner led the Lakers with a hat trick, scoring in the 17th, 56th, and 84th minutes. 

The Red Flash had early momentum, with Joschi Schelb taking two shots on target in the opening 15 minutes, both saved by Mercyhurst goalkeeper Jacob Conti. Fabian Wagner also had a chance, but Mercyhurst maintained a 1-0 lead at halftime. In the second half, Saint Francis managed only two shots, both late in the match. Niclas Becker recorded two saves for the Red Flash. 

NEXT TIME OUT 
Saint Francis returns home to Stokes Soccerplex on Sunday, Oct. 5, to host LIU at 3 p.m. The Red Flash will aim to continue competing strongly as they look to improve their record and gain momentum at home.

LAST TIME OUT 
Saint Francis rallied late to secure a 2–1 road win over Le Moyne in their NEC opener on Sept. 28 at Ted Grant Field. 

The Red Flash found the equalizer in the 56th minute when Thiago Pires powered a header off a cross from Álvaro Planas and Brennan Libo, leveling the score 1–1. Saint Francis then took the lead for good in the 77th minute, as Planas finished off a precise feed from Harry Elmore for the game-winning goal. 

Pires and Planas each recorded their first goals of the season, and Libo added an assist, marking back-to-back matches with points for the freshman. Saint Francis now leads the all-time series against Le Moyne, 2–0, after only their second meeting in program history. 

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. 

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.