ELKINS, W.Va. -- Point Park University men's soccer closes out its regular season Wednesday with a road matchup against No. 10 Davis & Elkins at 7 p.m. at Nuttall Field.
The Pioneers enter the finale at 6-7-3 overall and 5-6-1 in Mountain East Conference play. Point Park will face a nationally ranked opponent that has won 11 games this season, with the Pioneers looking to build on the performances of their leading scorers and goalkeeper Anthony Fusay.
LAST TIME OUT
Point Park fell 2-0 to Wheeling on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Bishop Schmitt Field. The Cardinals scored twice in the second half to hand the Pioneers a road loss.
Wheeling broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute when Luis Yanes scored at 62:04. Charlie Goldsmith added a second goal at 66:45 off assists from Dominic Lopez Aceves and Reilly Nickles.
Despite the result, Point Park kept pace in the shot totals, with Wheeling holding a narrow 14-13 advantage. Both teams recorded six shots on goal, while Fusay finished with four saves. The Cardinals held a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
LET IT RIP
Hector Moreno leads Point Park with six goals and 12 points through 16 games. Joel Gomez ranks second on the team with four goals and 9 points, while Alejandro Vega has contributed three goals and 6 points.
Moreno has been a consistent offensive presence for the Pioneers, who have scored 18 goals this season. Point Park has recorded 202 shots and 81 shots on goal, averaging 1.13 goals per game.
Vega has added an offensive threat from the back line, including his goal in Point Park's 2-1 win over West Liberty on Oct. 21. Gomez has also been productive in the attacking third, giving the Pioneers multiple options as they close out the regular season.
Point Park has totaled 58 corner kicks this season, creating opportunities to generate offense from set pieces. The Pioneers will look to capitalize on those chances against a Davis & Elkins defense that has allowed nine goals in 14 games.
FORT FUSAY
Fusay has been a fixture in goal for Point Park throughout the season. The junior has recorded 53 saves, a .697 save percentage and a 1.46 goals-against average, along with three shutouts.
Fusay's 53 saves have helped keep the Pioneers competitive, including a season-high seven saves in the 2-1 win over West Liberty on Oct. 21. He made four additional saves against Wheeling on Sunday and will be a key presence against the Senators' attack.
IT COMES DOWN TO THIS
Point Park currently sits in the third and final playoff spot in the MEC North Division. The Pioneers are 2 points ahead of fourth-place West Liberty. If Point Park knocks off the Senators, or if West Liberty fails to beat Wheeling, they will clinch a playoff berth and will face either Charleston or Concord on Sunday, Nov. 1.
SCOUTING DAVIS & ELKINS
Davis & Elkins enters Wednesday's matchup at 11-1-2 overall after earning a 3-0 win over Frostburg State on Oct. 25. The Senators scored once in the first half before adding two goals after halftime.
Francisco Lopez Kreik opened the scoring at 30:45, followed by Souleymane Baal at 70:23 and Jordi Rafus Aulet at 84:19. Davis & Elkins finished with 16 shots and 11 shots on goal, while limiting Frostburg State to four shots.
Hugo Fauli leads the Senators with 16 points on four goals and eight assists. Johan Magana has added six goals and two assists for 14 points, while Lopez Kreik has three goals and three assists.
Goalkeeper Charlie Phillips has allowed nine goals and recorded 25 saves with a .735 save percentage. Davis & Elkins has scored 27 goals this season while allowing nine, making the Senators a difficult opponent for the Pioneers in their final match.
PREVIOUS MEETING
Davis & Elkins defeated Point Park, 1-0, in the teams' first meeting of the season on Sept. 13 in Pittsburgh. The Pioneers will look to respond in Wednesday's rematch as they finish their regular-season schedule on the road.
