What: NCAA Men's Soccer First Round, Berry College (12-6-1) at Emory (13-3-2)
When: Friday, Nov. 14, 6 p.m. (EST)
Where: Woodruff Physical Education Center, Atlanta
Links: Live Stats ~ Video ~ Full Bracket ~ Emory Regional Website ~ Tickets - Online Media Guide
The Series: Berry leads the all-time series vs. Emory, 6-4. Earlier this year (Sept. 20) the Eagles got an early goal and held off the Vikings, 1-0, at Ford Field. Both teams collected 11 shots in the contest. The teams last met in Atlanta on Sept. 21, 2013. In rainy conditions, Berry scored two second-half goals en route to a 2-0 win. Kyle Fitting and Zak Wallingford tallied in the road victory.
Scouting Berry: The Vikings got hot at the most opportune time. Berry suffered injuries during the year and a depleted lineup in the regular season, but then recorded three shutouts in three straight days to capture the SAA Championship. SAA Tournament MVP Christian Fulbright scored three goals in the team's last two games.
More about Berry men's soccer:
-The Vikings are riding a four-match winning streak--and six-match unbeaten string--heading to the NCAAs.
-Berry has won two of three SAA men's soccer championships.
-BC is making its first postseason appearance since earning a spot in the NAIA tournament in 2004. The Vikings were NAIA semifinalists in 2003 and '04.
-Fulbright has six goals and five assists (17 points) to pace the BC offense. Wallingford has 15 points (five goals, five helpers) for BC.
-Jon Nelson has all of the decisions in goal for Berry. He boasts a 0.92 goals against average and an .823 save percentage.
-The team has 12 wins, all of which have been shutouts.
-Head Coach Richard Vardy is in his 13th year leading the Vikings. He enters today's game with a 177-65-17 record (.684 win percentage).
-The Vikings are the fourth Viking team to make the NCAA Championships. In 2013-14--BC's first year of postseason eligibility--volleyball, men's golf, and women's tennis advanced to the dance.
Scouting Emory: The Eagles (13-3-2) are no stranger to the NCAA tournament. Emory has earned 15 NCAA bids in men's soccer, and this season was the fifth in eight years under Head Coach Sonny Travis. The Eagles entered the final weekend of the campaign ranked 17th in Division III in goals-against average, lowering the mark to 0.53 with a 0-0 double-overtime draw against Carnegie Mellon University on Saturday.
More about Emory...
-This is Emory's fifth time hosting the NCAA men's soccer championships.
-The Eagles received one of the 18 at-large bids to the tournament, available to teams that did not receive an automatic bid from their conference.
-The Eagles are riding a four-match unbeaten streak. Their last loss (1-0) was Oct. 17 at NYU.
-Dylan Price leads the offense with 15 points (five goals, five assists).
-Jason Andrejchak and Sebastian Hardington have both recorded 14 points. Hardington leads the club with six goals.
-Goalkeeper Abe Hanigan (12-3-2) has an .851 save percentage and 0.56 goals against average.
