PREVIEW: 2016 Soccer YSCC Play-In Games

SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine – The Southern Maine Community College men's and women's soccer teams are set to play in the opening round of the Yankee Small College Conference (YSCC) post-season. The men will play host to #3 Unity College at Wainwright Field on Sunday, Oct. 16 at 1 p.m. The women are scheduled to travel to the #2 University of Maine- Machias to face the Clippers on Monday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is slated for 5 p.m.

Men's Soccer

All-Time Series vs. Unity College
The SMCC men's soccer team has dominated the all-time series against the Rams from Unity College. Since 2010, the SeaWolves are 12-1-1 (W-L-D) vs. their first-round opponent. SMCC won both home and away this regular season, however the Rams proved to be a tough opponent as both victories were by a one-goal margin. Coach Dougher is an impressive 7-1 on his home pitch against Unity and will look to improve on this success on Sunday.

Results

Scouting the Opposition
Unity is riding a three-game skid, suffering losses to the Univ. of Maine- Presque Isle, Univ. of Maine- Machias, and most recently to SMCC. The Rams finished their regular season at 1-5 in conference play, and 2-7-1 overall. Coach Dougher and the SeaWolves will keep an eye on Unity's striker Will Desmaris who leads his team in points (5) and goals (2) this 2016 season.

Leading the Way
The SeaWolves will look to co-captains Douglas Cloutier (Berwick, Maine) and Bronson Kieltyka (Monmouth, Maine) for their offensive firepower vs. Unity on Sunday. Cloutier leads the team in points (8) and has tallied six assists on the season; Kieltyka is the team's leading goal scorer with three from the midfield position. Sophomores Jacob Cavacas (Cavendish, Vt.) and Jacob Coffey (Lebanon, Maine) will play a crucial role in the defensive third of the field.

Women's Soccer

All-Time Series vs. Univ. of Maine- Machias
The SMCC women's soccer team hasn't found much success in its all-time series vs. Machias. Since 2011, the Lady SeaWolves have claimed victory once, but it came in a big spot in last season's YSCC championship game. Although dropping both games to the Clippers this regular season, the defending champions do have a knack for the post season spotlight.

Results

Scouting the Opposition
Since their most recent defeat over SMCC, the Clippers have played to a draw against the Univ. of Maine- Presque Isle and suffered a loss to Fisher College. Machias finished its regular season at 5-1 in conference play, and 6-5-1 overall. Coach Cyr and the Lady SeaWolves will look to test a solid goal keeper in Aisling Farragher-Gemma who ranks first in the conference in save percentage (.806) and second in goals-against-average (1.44).

Leading the Way 
SMCC will lean on its co-captains Hannah Fields (Shapleigh, Maine) and Jayme Saulter (Waterville, Maine) for their veteran presence at the defensive and midfield positions. Fields leads the team in scoring with 30 total points and 12 goals. Sophomore Madelyn Wade (Brunswick, Maine) has scored nine goals in her 2016 campaign and will look to make an impact as well.

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