ITHACA, N.Y. – Cornell men's soccer will look to get back in the win column, after suffering a difficult 3-0 defeat at the hands of local rival #20 Syracuse on Tuesday at SU Soccer Stadium. The Big Red now returns home for a season long five-game home stand starting this Friday, as the team hosts the fourth annual CU Inaria Classic over the weekend. Cornell will welcome Siena for a 7 p.m. kick on Friday in the opening fixture and will wrap up the two-game set on Sunday at 3 p.m. against Fairleigh Dickinson.
 
Match #1
Cornell Big Red (2-2-1; 0-0-0 Ivy League) vs. Siena Saints (5-1-0; 0-0-0 MAAC)
Friday, Sept. 19, 2014 | 7:00 PM | Berman Field – Ithaca, N.Y.
All-Time Series: 0-0
Last Meeting: None; First Meeting
Live Stats | Live Audio
 
Match #2
Cornell Big Red (2-2-1; 0-0-0 Ivy League) vs. Fairleigh Dickinson Knights (1-4-1; 0-0-0 NEC)
Sunday, Sept. 21, 2014 | 3:00 PM | Berman Field – Ithaca, N.Y.
All-Time Series: Cornell Leads 5-0-0
Last Meeting (2009): W, 1-0
Live Stats
 
* Records accurate as of 09/18
 
ABOUT THE CU INARIA CLASSIC
This is the fourth straight season that Cornell and Colgate have combined to dual-host the CU Inaria Classic. Both Cornell and Colgate host two matches with the other two visiting teams with a champion crowned at the conclusion of the four match set. Cornell has won the first three installments of the Inaria Classic, including last year's tournament from Sept. 13-15. The Big Red dispatched Cal State Fullerton 2-1 in overtime in the tournament opener, while they also topped Loyola Marymount 1-0 in regulation to score the full six points to take the tournament crown. Cornell is 5-0-0 in CU Inaria Classic fixtures.
 
SUSTAINABILITY EVENT FRIDAY 9/19
Cornell will be hosting a sustainability event during Friday's men's and women's soccer double header. The event is titled: Local. Sustainable. Cornell. NCAA Soccer Matches For USA Water, Food Health, Housing and Education.
 
Cornell Soccer is partnering with the FC-USA to raise sustainability awareness and activism. Across the United States, 150 NCAA soccer teams are supporting campus and community sustainability education initiatives. Spectators attending Friday's double header are encouraged to bring a pair of athletic shoes to donate to the Footprints organization. Those who donate will gain free admission to the men's game at 7 p.m.
 
More information on the event can be found here: link.
 
SUNDAY IS KIDS DAY
Men's soccer will be hosting Youth Soccer Day before Sunday's match with Fairleigh Dickinson. Activities will begin one hour prior to opening kick between the Big Red and the Knights. It is free to participate and all kids will receive a free t-shirt. Activities include: poster making, games, prizes and an opportunity to meet the players for post-game autographs after the conclusion of the match.
 
SCOUTING CORNELL
 
Big Red Headlines
Cornell men's soccer suffered its first major setback of 2014 on Tuesday evening at SU Soccer Stadium, falling 3-0 to local rival and 20^th-ranked Syracuse. The Orange blitzed the Big Red for two goals in a 3-minute 31-second span midway through the first half to break open the game and ultimately seal the victory. While the Big Red was able to generate some dangerous opportunities in the attacking third, it could not find the back of the net against Orange keeper Alex Bono. Cuse's quality in the final third was quite evident during the scoring flurry, as the team unlocked the stingy Cornell defense on two excellent scoring plays. Cornell will look to get back on track this weekend with the CU Inaria Classic.
 
About Head Coach Jaro Zawislan
Zawislan enters his sixth season at Cornell having established himself as one of the top coaches in the Ivy League during his short tenure. After taking over a program that was 1-15 the season before his appointment as head coach, Zawislan has transformed Big Red men's soccer into a consistent winner and a national presence in NCAA Division I. In his first five seasons on East Hill his teams have posted at least .500 winning percentages four times, while he has led Cornell to three consecutive winning seasons. He also directed the Big Red to its first Ivy League title since 1995 and first outright title since 1977 in 2012. His coaching record currently sits at 43-25-10 and his current .615 winning percentage is the second best mark in program history.
 
Zawislan is a graduate of Clemson University '93, while he was a four-year starting goalkeeper on the varsity soccer team. Upon his graduation he played professionally both in the United States and his native Poland, before pursuing a career in coaching. He made assistant coaching stops at Stanford, Creighton and Syracuse, before being named Cornell's 11^th head coach in 2009.
 
Dynamic Defense
Despite the small stumble against Syracuse, Cornell still boasts one of the top defense in the nation and the top defense in the Ivy League. The Big Red has posted three shutouts this season and has 0.73 goals against average this season.
 
Parsimonious Paws in Net
Senior keeper Zach Zagorski has been stellar in net for the Big Red this season. Despite the lopsided score on Tuesday, he made several key saves to keep Cornell in the game and he nearly made spectacular diving parries on the spectacular scoring plays by the Orange in the opening half. He currently leads the Ivy League for all eligible keepers in goals against average (0.75) and save percentage (.833). He currently ranks in tied for 40^th in save percentage in NCAA Division I. His 20 saves are tied for second most in the Ivy League. Zagorski is now tied with Dave Williams (1988-91) and Doug Allan (2000-02) for fifth on the program's all-time shutout list with eight career clean sheets.
 
Home Sweet Home
Cornell held serve on its home its home field with a 1-0 double-overtime victory in its only home game of the season against Lafayette. Men's soccer is 68-52-17 (.558) all-time at Charles F. Berman Field and is 25-10-8 (.674) at home during head coach Jaro Zawislan's tenure. The Big Red is 18-2-5 (.820) in non-conference home matchups since Zawislan took over in 2009.
 
Captain Clutch
Conor Goepel did it again on Saturday, scoring the lone goal in the Big Red's 1-0 victory over Binghamton. The goal was the eighth game-winner of his career, moving him into a tie for second on the program's all-time list for the statistic. He has now scored both Cornell goals on the young season and is tied for ninth in NCAA Division I in game-winning goals.
 
Players of the Week
Two Cornell players were honored by the Ivy League following the Big Red's 2-0-0 week against Lafayette and Binghamton. Senior captain Conor Goepel secured Co-Player of the Week on the strength of game-winning goals in both of Cornell's 1-0 victories. He is now tied for second in program history with eight career game-winners. Freshman left back Eric Nuss earned Rookie of the Week honors from the Ivy League as well. Nuss has been a major contributor on the backend in his debut season, stabilizing a defense that witnessed a lot of attrition from last season's record breaking squad.
 
Sinister Schedule
Syracuse was the second ranked team the Big Red has played in five games this season. The Orange checked in as the 20^th ranked team in the country in the latest poll put out by the NSCAA. It is the first time in the Zawislan era that the Big Red has played two ranked non-conference opponents in one season. Cornell already has had one positive result against a top ranked foe, battling #2 Louisville to a scoreless draw in the season opening fixture. The road does not get easier, as Siena comes to Berman Field on Friday. The Saints received 24 votes in the latest NSCAA poll and are knocking on the door of breaking into the top-25 rankings. Siena has already bested one top ranked opponent in then-23^rd ranked Boston University and enters the weekend with a 5-1-0 record.
 
SCOUTING SIENA
 
Saints Headlines
Siena got off to a flying start to begin the season, rattling off four consecutive victories, including a 1-0 victory over then-ranked #23 Boston University. The Saints had a successful trip to the west coast in its most recent showing at the Henson/Zaher Nike Classic. Siena dropped the opener of the tournament in a hard fought 1-0 match at Oregon State; however, the team rebounded to defeat Portland 2-1 in double-overtime in the second fixture. The 5-1-0 start by the Saints is the team's best start in the 41 year history of the program. Siena is currently the seventh team in the receiving votes section of the NSCAA Poll for Week 3.
 
About Head Coach Cesar Markovic
Markovic is in his second season at the helm of the Siena men's soccer program, after being named the program's seventh head coach in February of 2013. Known as a coach who can provide a quick boost to a program, he led the Saints to a 7-10-1 record in 2013. He has the team off to a flying start this season, leading the program to a record 5-1-0 start. Markovic made coaching stops at: Hunter College (alma mater), Saint Peter's, Stony Brook and NJIT, in addition to Siena. He is the all-time winningest head coach at all four of his coaching stops before Siena, accumulating a 178-157-37 overall record.
 
Scintillating Saints Attack
Siena has found little trouble scoring, finding the back of the net 11 times already in 2014. The Saints have scored a goal in five of their six contests and have beaten the keeper multiple times in half of their games this season. Freshman forward Alexander Tejera has shown a deft finishing touch, leading the way for Siena with three goals and nine points on the season. He currently is tied for 25^th in Division I in total points. Junior forward Tom Allen joins Tejera to form a potent duo up top. He is right on the freshman's heels in terms of scoring, collecting two goals and eight points thus far this season. Six other players have scored a goal for the Saints, while 11 other players have collected at least one point.
 
Stifling Saints Defense
While the offense continues to score, the Siena defense continues to stonewall opponents with quality work in the defensive third. The Saints have one of the best young keepers in the country in freshman Josh Weiss. He has made an immediate impact between the posts, playing every minute for the Saints thus far this season. He has only allowed four goals this year and has marked two clean sheets. He currently ranks 24^th in Division I in save percentage (.871).
 
SCOUTING FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON
 
Knights Headlines
Fairleigh Dickinson has struggled out of the gates in 2014, entering the weekend losers of two straight and four of six contests overall. In the Knights latest contest the team was shut out for the third time this season in a 2-0 loss to Iona at home. FDU has struggled mightily on the road, posting an 0-2-1 record and being outscored 5-1.
 
About Head Coach Seth Roland
Roland has played a major role in vaulting Fairleigh Dickinson into sustained national prominence. He is in his 18^th year at the helm of the program and is the all-time winningest coach in program history with a record of 180-122-42. During his tenure he has led the Knights to six Northeast Conference Championships and six NCAA Tournament Appearances. He has led FDU to two Sweet 16 appearances and one Elite Eight appearance during his tenure.
 
Wright Way
On offense, the Knights like to work the ball to senior forward Nico Wright. He leads the team with two goals on the season and is the go-to man from the penalty spot. He ranks second on the team with nine shot attempts.
 
Net Losses
The Knights have turned to freshman net-minder Matthew Weigner for the majority of the early season. Like most young players, he has struggled to find consistency. He has allowed six goals in five contests, while splitting time with junior Aleksandar Djekic. The junior has not fared better, allowing five goals in roughly 150-minutes this season. Neither has been able to generate much confidence with their play. The Big Red will want to test the keepers early and often.
 
Second Half Struggles
Fairleigh Dickinson has struggled most in the second half of games this season. While the team has actually outshot opponents 34-32, the Knights have been outscored 8-4 in the second session this season. Part of this may be due to the team's slow starts in the opening half. FDU has yet to score in the opening 45-minutes of play, while the team has been outshot 37-23 this season.
 
UP NEXT
The Big Red will continues its season long home stand with a Wednesday match against Hartwick. Opening kick at Berman Field is scheduled for 7 p.m.