WILLIAMSBURG, Va. — William & Mary men's soccer continues its three-game homestand Thursday evening, welcoming Howard to Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field for the first meeting between the programs in 30 years.
Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., with the match streamed live on FloCollege.
Clear Bag Policy and Metal DetectorsÂ
Furthering its commitment to a first class and secure environment at home athletic events, William & Mary has implemented the use of walk-through metal detectors at the entrances to athletic venues (both ticketed and non-ticketed events). This enhanced security method mirrors standard practice at most major professional and intercollegiate athletic events throughout the country and compliments the Clear Bag Policy already in place. Fans will proceed through metal detectors prior to having their tickets scanned or entering a venue for non-tickets events. Entrants will not need to remove items such as belts, cell phones, coins, jackets, jewelry, watches, wallets, shoes or other small objects. If additional screening is necessary, security staff will ask the individual to proceed to a secondary screening area, where they will be asked to divest themselves of certain items and pass through again until clear.
THE TRIBE. William & Mary enters Thursday at 5-5-1 overall following a 3-1 setback to Elon on Saturday in CAA action.
Freshman Aidan Gatchell scored the Tribe's lone goal against the Phoenix, finding the equalizer in the 56th minute. The goal was Gatchell's third of the season and moved him into second on the team with 11 points.
W&M has scored 21 goals through 11 matches, averaging 1.91 goals per game. The Tribe has been particularly productive after halftime, scoring 14 of its 21 goals in the second half.
GATCHELL GETTING IT DONE. Gatchell continues to make an impact during his freshman campaign, ranking second on the Tribe with 11 points on three goals and a team-high five assists.
The freshman has appeared in all 11 matches and has put five of his 10 shots on goal. His five assists lead the Tribe, followed by senior Gabe Ruitenberg with four.
LEADING THE WAY. Ruitenberg continues to pace the Green and Gold with 12 points on four goals and four assists.
The senior is tied with sophomore Alex Garrison for the team lead with four goals and has recorded a team-best 26 shots and 15 attempts on goal. Ruitenberg has also scored two game-winning goals this season.
Garrison has added nine points on four goals and an assist, while freshman Brown Huffard has eight points on three goals and two assists.
GARCIARENA IN GOAL. Senior Diego Garciarena has started all 11 matches in goal for the Tribe, recording 44 saves and two shutouts.
Garciarena owns a 5-5-1 record with a .688 save percentage and has played 989 of W&M's 990 minutes this season. His two clean sheets came in victories over College of Charleston and American.
THE BISON. Howard enters Thursday at 3-7-1 overall following a 1-1 draw against Mercyhurst on Sunday. The Bison are 1-1-1 over their last three matches, including a 2-1 road victory over Chicago State on Oct. 1.
Howard has scored nine goals through 11 matches while allowing 24. Daniil Kaban leads the Bison with three goals and six points, while Xavier Sharp, Cailen Thomas and Rayce Welborne have each recorded three points.
Liam Keiller has started all 11 matches in goal, recording 65 saves, a .730 save percentage and one shutout.
TRIBE VS. BISON. William & Mary holds a 10-7-4 advantage in the all-time series against Howard.
Thursday will mark the first meeting between the programs since Oct. 9, 1996, when the Tribe and Bison played to a 2-2 draw in Williamsburg.
W&M's most recent victory in the series came one year earlier on Oct. 25, 1995, when the Tribe earned a 3-0 road victory in Washington, D.C.
CAA PICTURE. William & Mary sits at 2-2-1 with seven points in CAA play. The Tribe is tied with Charleston in the South Division standings, trailing unbeaten UNCW and Elon.
W&M has three conference matches remaining, traveling to Charleston and Campbell before returning home to face UNCW in the regular-season finale.
HOME SWEET HOME. Thursday marks the second contest of William & Mary's three-game homestand.
The Tribe is 3-2 at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field this season, including a 2-2-1Â mark in CAA action. W&M has picked up home victories over Radford, Charleston and Campbell.
WHAT'S NEXT. William & Mary closes out its three-game homestand Tuesday, Oct. 13, hosting Navy at Martin Family Stadium at Albert-Daly Field. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m., with the match streamed live on FloCollege.
