Men's Soccer 11/1/2026 9:30:00 AM

ECC Men’s Soccer Semifinal Preview: #2 D’Youville vs. #3 Molloy

Game Information: Live stats | Live video | Tickets

Buffalo, N.Y. – The third-seeded Molloy men's soccer team travels to take on the second-seeded D'Youville Saints in the ECC Semifinal Sunday, November 1 at 7:00 p.m.

About the Lions:

Molloy finished the regular season 3-1-4 in ECC play (5-3-7 overall).
The Lions clinched the third-seed in the regular season finale, defeating No. 24 Mercy, 3-1, at John A. Darcy Field.
The cardinal and white garnered three All-ECC Second Team selections. Graduate student Matt Star, sophomore Jack Veletanga, and freshman Mael Pierre Paul.
Veletanga enters the semifinal ranked fourth in the ECC with 16 points, while leading the team with five goals and six assists. The sophomore has been one of the most accurate offensive players, totaling a 44 shots on goal percentage.
Pierre Paul has been an instant spark plug for the Lions, sitting second on the team with 12 points and four goals while dishing out four assists. The freshman scored the contests game-winning goal against No. 24 Mercy helping the Lions clinch the third-seed in the playoffs.
The Lions have four other members of the squad with at least two goals: graduate student Jack Hynes and Matt Star, juniors Sean Lee and Charlie Morgan, and freshman Massimo Bruno.
In goal, the squad has seen a near even split between senior Anthony Martinez and junior Callum Hunt. Hunt has appeared and started in nine games this season, totaling 37 saves, a 84 percent save percentage, and a 0.82 goals against average through 767 minutes. The junior has collected three shut outs while allowing seven goals to collected a 2-1-5 record in net.
Martinez has seen action in eight contests, making seven starts. The senior has tallied 35 saves and an 83 percent save percentage while allowing 1.08 goals per game. The Bay Shore native has compiled a 3-2-3 record and one shut out entering the semifinal.
First year Head Coach John Fitzgerald will lead the Lions into the post season as a top-three seed for the first time since 2022.

Recapping the First Round:

The cardinal and white played the sixth-seeded UDC Firebirds to a 2-2 draw before earning a 4-1 victory in a penalty-kick shootout Thursday, October 29 at John A. Darcy Field.
Star knotted the game at one in the first half before freshman Mael Pierre Paul found the equalizer in the second half forcing overtime.
Veletanga dished out a career-high two assists.
Martinez made two saves in the penalty-kick shootout before junior Brennan Murphy clinched the victory in the fourth round.

Against D'Youville:

The two squads met September 26 in Buffalo with the Lions coming away with a 2-1 victory.
The contest saw Veletanga net a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the 51^st minute. In goal, Martinez made six saves including one in the final five minutes to clinch the triumph.
The victory resulted in the only loss D'Youville committed in conference play.

Playoff History:

Molloy returns to the semifinal for the third time in the last five seasons.
The meeting between Molloy and D'Youville will mark the second time they will matchup in the ECC Tournament.
The two squads last met November 7, 2024 in the ECC First Round in Buffalo with the Lions clinching a 2-0 victory to advance to the ECC Final.

Scouting the Saints:

D'Youville concluded the regular season 4-1-3 in East Coast Conference play and 7-5-5 overall.
The Saints sport six All-Conference selections, paced by four First Team selections: Ethan Robinson, Shawn Richardson, Jonas Driesch, and Matthew Solorio. Ewan Brodie and Liam Ulinski rounded out the six Saints on the Second and Third Team, respectively.
Richardson leads the squad with 12 points on the back of six goals while Robinson leads all players with three assists on the season. In goal, Solorio has collected 34 saves, a 0.86 GAA and eight shut outs.
In the contest against Molloy this season, Finn Savage netted the goal for the Saints while defensively D'Youville surrendered just three shots on goal.
Molloy is 6-0-1 all-time against D'Youville.

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