No. 2 Cabrini University Cavaliers (11-6-1, 5-1 Atlantic East) vs. No. 1 Neumann University Knights (10-4-2, 5-0-1 Atlantic East)
Atlantic East Conference Championship, Saturday, November 3, 1pm
Aston, PA

Game Day Links: Live Stats, Webcast
Atlantic East Conference Men's Soccer Tournament Page
Follow Cabrini Athletics on Social Media

What is at stake?
The winner of today's matchup will own the title of the first ever men's soccer Atlantic East champion. 

In addition to being crowned champion, the winner will also boost their record and strength of schedule in an effort to aid their chances of receiving an at-large bid into the NCAA men's soccer tournament. Due to the conference's two year probation period, the winner will not receive an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament. 

Last Meeting: Neumann 1, Cabrini 0 (10/13/2018, Aston, PA)
Both teams kept clean sheets over the opening 45 minute period. Neumann outshot the Cavaliers 8-3, with both clubs notching two shots on goal and one first half corner kick.

While both teams pressed for the day's opening score, it was the Knights who made the most of their chances.  Neumann tallied the day's lone goal in the 76th minute, when Steven Matalavage found himself on the business end of a pass from Nick Testa.

The Cavaliers managed just one more shot and one corner kick over the game's final 15 minutes, but could not find the back of the net.

Cabrini Last Time Out: Cabrini 2, Wesley 1 (11/1/2018, Radnor, PA)
Cabrini took an early lead, as senior Jared Irwin converted the first of three penalty kicks in the match, giving the Cavaliers a 1-0 lead in the 16th minute.

The Cavaliers doubled their lead less than four minutes later, as freshman Nick Booth's corner kick service found senior Matt Ochman for his fourth goal of the campaign.

Wesley looked to get on the board in the 29th minute, when its offensive pressure led to a penalty kick opportunity. Cabrini's sophomore goaltender Anthony Zampirri was up to the challenge, diving left to save senior Chimaobi Ikwuagwu's attempt.

The Wolverines' pressure paid off in the 39th minute, as another foul led to a second Wesley penalty kick. This time senior Nicholas Hood would not be deterred, as his shot put Wesley on the board.

Led by five Zampirri saves in the first half, the Cavaliers fought off 10 Wesley shots and a pair of corner kicks and held their 2-1 lead at the half. Wesley continued its offensive onslaught after the break, outshooting the Blue and White 14-4 in the second half, but the Cabrini defense was up to the challenge.

Neumann Last Time Out: Neumann 3, Immaculata 0 (11/1/2018, Aston, PA)
Neumann took the play to the Mighty Macs early in the game, outshooting the visitors 11-4 in the opening 45 minutes of play. 

The hosts' pressure finally paid off midway through the half, when Ainsley Reid scored to make it 1-0 Neumann at the 21:34 mark. The sophomore midfielder rose up and headed home a service from fellow midfielder Daniel Rival to put the Knights ahead by a goal heading to halftime.

As the game moved to the second stanza, Neumann began to pull away. The Knights did not sit back looking to cling to their slim lead, but rather pushed forward and ratcheted up the pressure in the Immaculata end seeking an insurance marker. Neumann's early half effort was rewarded just over ten minutes into the half when Simon collected a long throw from Andrew Kelly in the box and slipped a ball into the right side netting to put the hosts up by a pair at 2-0.
 
Neumann would cruise from there, tacking on a third goal in the 73rd minute off the foot of Cole Speiser. 

5 Factors for Cabrini

• The Cavaliers are winners of their last four games, and have allowed a combined two goals over that span. 
• The Cavs have won three of their last four meetings against the Knights, dating back to October 11th of 2016. 
• Zampirri's 11 saves in Thursday's semifinal game were the most for a Cavalier goalie since November 11th, 2017 against Rowan. 
• Cabrini has won just two games this season in which they have attempted fewer corners than their opponent.
• Ochman has tallied at least one point in three of the Cavaliers' last four games. 

5 Factors for Neumann

• The Knights come into Saturday's final riding a five game win streak. 
• Over that five game span, Neumann has outscored their opponents by a 12-4 margin and averaged north of two goals per game. 
• Marlon Trejo (16) and Gavin Ford (15) both rank inside the conference's top-5 in total points. 
• The pair of Trejo and Ford have combined for 76 of the Knights' 242 shots this season, or roughly 31%.
• 42 of the Knights' 63 offsides have been called in the first half. 

 

	TALE OF THE TAPE
Cabrini		Neumann
11-6-1, 5-1 Atlantic East	Record	10-4-1, 5-0-1 Atlantic East
1.22	Goals per Game	7.75
12	Assists	21
202	Shots	242
82	Shots on Goal	112
76	Corner Kicks	82
201	Fouls	230
85	Saves	77
.825	Save Percentage	.811
	TEAM LEADERS
Andre Justin, Matt Ochman (4)	Goals	Gavin Ford, Marlon Trejo (6)
Nick Booth (4)	Assists	Marlon Trejo (4)
Matt Ochman (9)	Points	Marlon Trejo (16)
Jared Irwin (28)	Shots	Marlon Trejo (44)
Anthony Zampirri (.852)	Save Percentage	Shane Smith (.821)