SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Cornell men's soccer team (0-0-0) gets set to open up the 2025 season against upstate-New York foe LeMoyne at Ted Grant Field. The Big Red and the Dolphins will meet on the pitch for the first time ever in a regular season game. This will also mark the first time that the Dolphins face an Ivy League opponent.

MATCH NO. 1: Cornell at LeMoyne
WHEN | WHERE: Saturday, Aug. 30 | Ted Grant Field – Syracuse, N.Y
RECORDS: LeMoyne (0-2-0, 0-0-0 Northeast Conference), Cornell (0-0-0, 0-0-0 Ivy League)
SERIES: First Ever Meeting
WATCH: ESPN+
STATS: LeMoyneDolphins.com

CORNELLIANS TO WATCH
Connor Miller - MAC Herman Trophy watch list member and returning All-American Connor Miller will be a key element to the Big Red's success in the 2025 season. Miller notched 17 points in 2024, coming by way of four goals and an Ivy League leading nine assists. He was a Third-Team All-American, First-Team All-Ivy member, and First-Team All-Region selection.

"Connor has now moved into a leadership role as one of our captains for the upcoming season. This will help him have an even greater impact on the team. He got himself firmly in amongst the point-getters on the team last year and I see that being something he doubles down on this year.", he added.

Andrew Johnson - The return of Charlotte Football Club draftee and MAC Hermann Trophy watch list member Andrew Johnson will be a key component to the success of the Big Red defensive unit. Johnson notched a pair of goals in 2024. He was a MLS SuperDraft selection to the Charlotte Football Club, First-Team All-Ivy member, and First-Team All-Region selection.

"Andrew has been great for us since his arrival. Getting drafted by Charlotte FC and representing his country in the Gold Cup speaks to the level he has reached.", Smith mentioned. Sophomores Aidan Martin and Justin Melly return to the back-line after posting strong freshman campaigns. Martin was named Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

Ryan Friedberg - Senior goalkeeper Ryan Friedberg has taken initiative in net for the Big Red since his Ivy League Rookie of The Year campaign, and will now look to bookend his Cornell career with a bang as his final year approaches.

GETTING THE CAPTAIN'S BAND
Leadership this season will come from a four-player captaincy, with Johnson (Defender), Miller (Midfielder), Sam Latona (Midfielder), and Daniel Samways (Forward).

IVY LEAGUE PRESEASON POLL
The no. 22-ranked Cornell men's soccer team earned a first-place vote and was tabbed second in the 2025 Ivy League preseason poll. The Big Red concluded last season with a 5-2 record in league play, taking second in the regular season standings, and was the lone Ivy League program to earn an NCAA College Cup victory.

The Ivy League has proven to be a tough conference year in and year out. During the 2024 season, Cornell, Penn, and Princeton earned bids to the NCAA College Cup. John Smith, the Dr. Daniel P. Wood Head Coach of Men's Soccer, spoke about the competitiveness of the Ivy League.

"I am just about to start my ninth season here, and this league has gone from strength to strength each year. It is filled with both talented coaches and talented players. It made sense to me that three Ivy teams garnered post season berths last year, and with the high level recruiting being done conference wide, I don't see that changing any time soon.", Smith said.

The Big Red earned its first trip to the Ivy League Tournament last season, but ultimately fell in a heart-breaker to the eventual champion Princeton Tigers in the opening round. The Big Red will aim to build on the momentum from last season to claim its first Ivy League title since 2012.

Ivy League Preseason Poll:
1. Penn - 120 (10 first place votes)
2. Princeton - 107 (5 first place votes)
2. Cornell - 107 (1 first place vote)
4. Brown - 66
5. Dartmouth - 59
6. Harvard - 58
7. Yale - 33
8. Columbia - 26

CLEAN SHEET CLUB
Big Red goaltender Ryan Friedberg has churned out clean sheets since his arrival on East Hill. Friedberg entered the 2024 season with six shutouts, and proceeded to tack on eight more to boost his total to 14, which stands as tied for third in career clean sheets.

MOST CAREER CLEAN SHEETS
Cornell Program History
1. 18, Jon Ross (1972-74)
2. 17, Rick Pflasterer (2009-12)
3. 14, Zach Zagorski (2011-14)
3. 14, Ryan Friedberg (2022-current)
5. 13, Quinn O'Sullivan (1992-95)
6. 10, Dan Mackesey (1974-76)
7. 8, Dave Williams (1988-91)
7. 8, Doug Allan (2000-02)
9. 7, Stephen Bott (1983)
9. 7, Mike Zaremsky (1986-88)
9. 7, Hemant Sharma (1994-96)

SCOUTING LEMOYNE
LeMoyne (0-2-0) enters Saturday's match with two games under their belt. The opener came against the Delaware Blue Hens where the Dolphins dropped that contest 2-0 (Aug. 21). LeMoyne fell to the Lafayette College Leopoards 1-0 byway of a 59th-minute penalty-kick. The Dolphins will host the Big Red in its home-opener after dropping a pair of games in enemy territory.

Wyarr Dupell enters the weekend as the Dolphins' top goaltender. Dupell as made eight saves in two games between the pipers from LeMoyne. The Dolphins will gear up for the Big Red with hopes of getting its first tally in the win column.

FOLLOW THE ACTION
The Cornell men's soccer team will travel to face the LeMoyne Dolphins on Saturday August, 30 for its season opener. Kick off is slated for 4:00 p.m. at Ted Grant Field. Game action will be broadcast on NEC Front Row.