CALDWELL, N.J- The Caldwell University men's soccer team kicks off their 2018 season as they travel for a pair of games at the Merrimack College Tournament this weekend. The Cougars take on nationally ranked Merrimack on Friday, August 31 at 7 pm and conclude their opening weekend on Sunday, September 2 against Bentley University at noon.
Caldwell plays 17 games this season, including eight home contests. The Cougars host their home opener on Tuesday, September 4 against NYIT at 4:00 pm. Caldwell opens Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference play as they host Wilmington University on Saturday, September 8 at 2:30 pm.
The Cougars host Felician University on Wednesday, September 19 and Chestnut Hill College on Saturday, September 22 to wrap up their home schedule in the first month of the season. Caldwell host three CACC schools in October as they welcome Concordia College on Wednesday, October 3, Nyack College on Tuesday, October 9 and Dominican College on Wednesday, October 17. Caldwell ends the regular season on Wednesday, October 24 with a non-conference home game against Bloomsburg University.
Caldwell was selected to finish in seventh place in the CACC Preseason Coaches Poll. The Cougars ended the 2017 season with a 6-10-3 overall record and finished in eighth place in the CACC with a 4-6-2 conference mark.
The Cougars under seventh year Head Coach
Asgeir Ofstad looks to return to the CACC Championships after falling short in the quarterfinals last season. Caldwell fell to regular season champion Jefferson 1-0 in the quarterfinals.
Caldwell returns their top three scorers from last season. Seniors
Joaquin Escudero (San Sebastian, Spain) and
Thomas Yorston (Northamptonshire, United Kingdom) tied for the team lead with six goals, four assists for 16 points each last season. Yorston finished with two game-winning goals in 2017 and earned CoSIDA Academic All-District honors. Sophomore
Alessandro Canino (Parma, Italy) posted 12 points on four goals and four assists with one game-winning goal last season.
