New Look Men’s Soccer Gets Set for 2022 Opener

Sunday, August 28

Boca Raton, Fla.

6 p.m.

Florida Atlantic

Lynn

8/27/2022 10:21:00 AM | Men's Soccer

BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Florida Atlantic University men's soccer team opens its 2022 campaign on Sunday against crosstown Division II opponent Lynn University.

ABOUT THE OWLS

Led by sixth year head coach Joey Worthen, the Owls' 2022 roster features 29 players including 16 new faces. Among the returners, much will be expected of juniors Nacho Alastuey and Tom Abrahamsson and senior Blake Dean. Abrahamsson was recently named to the AAC Preseason All-Conference team. Defenders Luis Sailer Fidalgo, Tim Bernhardsson, and Graeme Pratt are back as well. Neil Strauber started all 19 games in goal in 2021 and now returns for a third season with the Owls.

With the departure of seniors Ivan Mykhailenko and Alonso Coello Camarero, the Owls will need production from freshman center forward Fritz Kleiner as well as winger Victor Claudel. Claudel has played the last three seasons for AAC opponent USF. Graduate seniors Davide Viola and Eric Zech and junior Kyle Gruno will be new additions to the back line. Midfield may be the Owls' deepest position with six newcomers added to the likes of Alastuey, Dean, and several others.

ABOUT THE FIGHTING KNIGHTS

Lynn opened its season on Thursday with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of the University of Montevallo. The Fighting Knights have traditionally been a force in the DII ranks. They finished 12-4 in 2021. They advanced to the National Championship semifinals in 2019 before falling to No. 2 Charleston-West Virginia. This season, the Knights will have to overcome the loss of last year's leading goal scorers Lukas Hornbach and Lukas Ostermann. Head Coach John Rootes has been at the helm since 2008.

MATCH HISTORY

FAU and Lynn have not met since 1998. In 10 all-time meetings, the Fighting Knights hold an 8-2 advantage.

2021 IN REVIEW

After finishing the regular season 8-6-2, the Owls made a run to the championship game in the Conference USA tournament
A 3-1 upset of No. 4 ranked Marshall in the semifinals set up a showdown with No. 15 Kentucky
The Owls pushed the Wildcats to the brink before ultimately falling 2-1 in overtime

NEW CONFERENCE

The championship game last November turned out to be the Owls' swan song in Conference USA. Along with women's swimming and diving, it was announced in May that men's soccer would join the American Athletic Conference (AAC) as an affiliate member a year ahead of the other 16 programs at FAU.

Fellow C-USA transplants Charlotte, FIU (ranked 18th in DI), and UAB will also make the move joining SMU, Temple, USF, Memphis, UCF, and No. 11 Temple.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Owls will hit the ground running with three games in the opening week of the season, all at home. Stetson comes to town on Wednesday followed by Lipscomb on Saturday, September 3. Then it's on to the first road trip of the season in upstate New York. The AAC schedule opens with USF at home on September 16.