Men’s soccer to kick off season with pair of matches in Wisconsin

MITCHELL, S.D. – Under the direction of first-year head coach Brady Van Holland, the Dakota Wesleyan University men's soccer team is set to commence the 2021 campaign with a pair of non-conference matches this weekend as part of the Viterbo Classic in La Crosse, Wis. Dakota Wesleyan battles Clarke University, a member of the Heart of America Athletic Conference at noon on Saturday. Following, the Tigers await a contest with Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference institute St. Ambrose University at 11 a.m. on Sunday.

About the Tigers

• Dakota Wesleyan finished with a mark of 5-9-1 a season ago and a 4-6-1 record in Great Plains Athletic Conference play. 
• The 2021 roster features 30 student-athletes hailing from 16 various states and countries.
• Left back Tyler Anderson (Monticello, Minn.) returns for his senior campaign with the Blue and Gray having appeared in 45 matches throughout his career and earning All-GPAC Honorable Mention status in 2020.
• Fellow left back Rafael Calderon (Talca, Chile) enters his first season with DWU after helping Salt Lake Community College clinch the 2020 NJCAA Men's Soccer National Championship.

About the Pride

• CU ended the 2020 campaign with an overall mark of 3-12-0 and a 2-9-0 record in conference play.
• Pride goalkeeper Jan Paule led the NAIA in total saves a season ago with 117 saves, including 10-or-more saves in five games.
• As a defensive unit, Clarke sat atop the conference leaderboards in saves per game during the 2020 season with eight per match. 

About the Fighting Bees

• St. Ambrose finished the 2020 season with an overall record of 4-9-0 and a mark of 3-9-0 in the CCAC.
• Forward Daniel Reinoso paced the Fighting Bees in 2020 with eight goals and 20 shots on goal.
• Goalkeeper Piercarlo Ricossa made 13 appearances in goal for SAU a season ago collecting 64 saves to just 24 goals allowed. 

Last Meeting (Clarke University)

• The Tigers and Pride last met in August of 2018 and Saturday's contest will mark the sixth all-time meeting between the two programs.
• Despite Clarke leading the all-time series 3-2, DWU knocked off CU in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and 2014 at the Pepsi-Cola Soccer Complex in Mitchell, S.D.

Last Meeting (St. Ambrose University)

• Both programs have yet to meet in recent history.

 Fans can catch both matches this weekend via livestream and stats. For more information regarding this weekend's contests, visit http://www.viterboathletics.com/2021-mens-soccer-tournament