NCAA Preview: Western New England Returns to National Stage to Face Brandeis
|
|
| Roster | Roster |
| Schedule/Results | Schedule/Results |
| Statistics | Statistics |
First round matchup between Golden Bears & Judges to be held at Babson College tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (November 11, 2016) – For the first time since 2013 and ninth time in program history, the Western New England University men's soccer team has reached the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Golden Bears will take on Brandeis University in first round action on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. on the campus of Babson College in Babson Park, Mass.
Game Details
Saturday's first round matchup will be held at Hartwell-Rogers Field on the Babson campus. Ticket prices include $6 for adults, $3 for students with their school ID and $2 for children under the age of 12. For those unable to make the trip, both live stats and live streaming video will be available courtesy of Babson Athletics.
How They Got Here
Western New England (11-9-1, 6-3 Commonwealth Coast Conference) earned an automatic bid to the field of 62, as the Golden Bears claimed their sixth CCC title with wins over Roger Williams, Endicott and Wentworth in the conference tournament.
Brandeis (10-5-3, 3-2-2 University Athletic Association), which is making its fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament and 14th in program history, received an at-large bid after winning five of its last six matches to close out the regular season.
Who to Watch For
Western New England junior forward Troy Remillard (Palmer, Mass.) fueled the Golden Bears' run to the CCC title with six goals in the conference tournament. He found the back of the net twice in each match, including the game-winning tally early in the second half at Wentworth in the championship match last Saturday. Remillard has compiled a team-leading 37 points on 17 goals and three assists this fall.
Brandeis is led by senior midfielder Josh Ocel (North Attleboro, Mass.), who has recorded team-highs in goals (five), assists (11) and points (21).
Series History
Western New England and Brandeis will be meeting for just the second time. In the only other matchup between the two programs, the Judges posted a 4-2 victory over the Golden Bears in the ECAC Tournament finals back in 2010.
Common Opponents
The two teams both played on Brandeis's Gordon Field to start the season as part of the Brandeis Invitational, though they did not meet. The Judges defeated tournament-bound squads John Carroll (3-1) and Haverford (1-0), while the Golden Bears fell to both teams. Other common opponents included Nichols (both wins); Wheaton (both losses); and Clark (Brandeis won, 1-0; WNE lost, 2-1).
Up Next
The winner of the Western New England/Brandeis matchup advances to Sunday's second round to take on the winner of the other first round contest being held at Babson, which features the host Beavers and Saint Joseph's College of Maine.
