WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – The William & Mary men's soccer team returns to Williamsburg for the first time in 15 days to face No. 10 Elon on Wednesday, Sept 30. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
TribeAthletics.com caught up with head coach Chris Norris to discuss the match at Charleston, returning home, and the match against Elon. The video feature is available through the above link or by clicking here.
Scouting the Tribe
W&M (3-3-2, 0-1-0 CAA) looks to get back into the win column after dropping their conference opener at College of Charleston on Saturday night. Freshman Antonio Bustamante scored the Tribe's lone goal in the match. Sophomore William Eskay leads the team with four goals, two assists, and 10 points. The four goals already match the sophomore's goal output from all of last season. Bustamante is second on the team with four goals, one assist, and nine points, while freshman Ryder Bell has scored four times for eight points. Redshirt junior Mac Phillips has played all 785-plus minutes this season for the Green and Gold. He has posted a 1.60 goals-against average, recorded 22 saves, and has a shutout.
Scouting the Phoenix
Elon (8-1-0, 2-0-0 CAA) is off to their best start in school history, and looks to stay unbeaten in CAA play as they travel to Williamsburg for Wednesday's match. The Phoenix got back into the win column on Saturday with a 1-0 win at Delaware following their first loss of the season to South Carolina last Tuesday. Eduardo Alvarez, Jaiden Fortune, and Cooper Vandermaas-Peeler all have nine points this season. Alvarez leads the team with four goals, while Fortune and Vandermaas-Peeler are tied for the team lead with three assists. Matthew Jegier has played every minute in goal this season for Elon. He owns a 0.67 goals-against-average, 28 saves, and six shutouts.
Series History
William & Mary will meet Elon for the sixth time in program history on Wednesday night. The Tribe leads the all-time series by a 3-1-1 mark. Last year, playing as conference rivals for the first time, the team's battled to a scoreless draw in Williamsburg.
Golden Goal
Freshman Antonio Bustamante scored his first career golden goal in the 103rd minute against Navy on Tuesday night. He sent home a feed from William and Jackson Eskay to send the Tribe home a winner.
Sophomore William Eskay sent the Tribe home with a victory at Longwood Sept. 19 night with his goal in the 104th minute on Tuesday night. It was the second time William Eskay scored a golden goal. Last year he scored in the 100th minute, as the Tribe topped College of Charleston on Oct. 15.
Workin' Overtime
The Tribe has seen four of its eight matches this season go to overtime. The Tribe has posted a 2-0-2 record in overtime matches this season with a win over Longwood and ties against No. 4 North Carolina and Charlotte. Bryant leads the country with five overtime matches. This is only the second time in school history the Tribe has won back-to-back double overtime affairs. The last time came in 2013 when the Tribe knocked off No. 1 Creighton and No. 24 Elon in consecutive games.
Road Warriors
The Tribe just concluded a stretch of three straight road games, which is the longest road swing of the season. To start the year, W&M has played six of its first eight matches on the road. The Green and Gold will play a total of 10 of its 17 matches away from Williamsburg. So far the College owns a 2-3-1 record on the road.
Weekly Awards
Sophomore William Eskay and freshman Ryder Bell were honored as the CAA Player and Rookie of the Week, respectively, for the week of Sept 7. William Eskay scored three goals and added an assist for the Tribe over the 1-0-1 week, while Bell scored a pair of goals, including the Tribe's lone goal at No. 4 North Carolina.
Tip of the Cap
Sophomore William Eskay netted his first career hat trick in the Tribe's 4-2 victory over Liberty on Sept. 1 It was the first time since the 2010 season that a W&M player recorded a hat trick. On Nov. 14, 2010 Nicholas Arbigo scored three times in the CAA Championship match against Hofstra.
First Career Marker
Freshman Ryder Bell recorded his first career goal in the match against Liberty, which proved to be the game-winner. The freshman added his second goal against No. 4 North Carolina, and is second on the team with four points.
Helping Foot
Junior Reilly Maw recorded three assists in the match against Liberty. All three of his assists came on the goals scored by William Eskay. He leads the team with three assist this season.
Preseason Praise
Senior Jackson Eskay and younger brother sophomore William Eskay were named to the CAA Preseason Honorable Mention team. William Eskay is the Tribe's returning leading scorer from last year, while Jackson Eskay led the team in scoring in 2013.
Strength of Schedule
Once again, W&M has a loaded schedule. The Tribe plays six teams that qualified for the NCAA College Cup last season, and six teams that are ranked or receiving votes in the NSCAA Preseason Poll.
Family Affair
W&M's attack features brothers senior Jackson Eskay and sophomore William Eskay. However, the Tribe family tradition doesn't stop there, as their parents and grandfather were all W&M student-athletes. (Dad, Bo, played soccer, mom, Jackie, track & field, and grandfather, Bob, basketball.)
Celebrating 50 Years
This season is the 50th anniversary of the Tribe men's soccer program. During that time the Tribe has appeared in 15 NCAA Tournaments and seven CAA Championships. W&M's first varsity season was in 1966. The first video feature is available for viewing by clicking here.
What's Ahead
W&M closes out its two-match home stand when they welcome nationally ranked Hofstra to Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field on Saturday, Oct. 3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
