LIVE STATS | WATCH (UE MATCHES ONLY) |  UE GAME NOTES

EVANSVILLE, Ind. – The University of Evansville men's soccer team hosts the 28^th annual ProRehab Aces Classic this weekend (Sept 4-6) at Arad McCutchan Stadium.
 
THE GAMES
Friday, Sept. 4
5:00 p.m. - Belmont (1-1-0) vs. Drake (1-1-0)
7:30 p.m. - Evansville (0-1-0) vs. Air Force (1-0-0) WATCH
 
Sunday, Sept. 6
11:00 a.m. - Air Force vs. Drake
2:00 p.m. - Evansville vs. Belmont WATCH
 
WHAT TO KNOW

• Evansville is eyeing their 10^th title in tournament history
• The Purple Aces are looking for their first win of the season
• This is the first regular season home game for first year head coach Marshall Ray
• Senior forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez is 12^th in the country in points per game (3.00)

 
MILITARY APPRECIATION NIGHT
The Aces will host a Military Appreciation Night for both ProRehab Soccer Tournament matches on Sept. 4. All current or retired military members, with a valid ID, will receive free admission for themselves and a guest. Additional family tickets for our military members are just $5 each.
 
THE OPPONENTS
Air Force opened the season with a 1-0 overtime victory over Army (Aug. 29). A.J. Esparza scored the lone goal of the match that was attended by 3,683 people. The Falcons have six returning starters from last season but welcome 14 newcomers.
 
Belmont won their season opener 2-0 over Lipscomb (Aug. 28) but was defeated 3-1 at Buffalo (Aug. 30). Rashad Hyacenth has a team-high two goals this year. The Bruins boast eight returning starters and only seven newcomers.
 
Drake won their first match of the season 2-1 vs. Pacific (Aug. 28) then lost 1-0 at Green Bay (Aug. 30). The Bulldogs have 10 starters back from last year's team and 10 additional newcomers.
 
HISTORY
Evansville is 3-0-0 against Air Force. UE won 3-2 in the inaugural meeting at the USAF Academy in Colorado (1982), then was victorious 2-1 in Evansville (1990) and lastly won 3-2 against the Falcons in Springfield, Mo. for a tournament (2006).
 
The Aces are 7-2 all-time against Belmont, including five straight wins. All the meetings have taken place after 1999 with UE winning six of the seven meetings in Evansville.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Evansville was defeated 5-2 at Milwaukee on Aug. 28. Sophomore goalkeeper Matthew Keller made 12 saves in the contest as freshman forward Mikey Matic netted his first career goal. Senior forward Mark Anthony Gonzalez tallied a goal and an assist in just 29 minutes played.
 
POSITIVE PRESEASON
The UE men's soccer team finished the preseason 2-1-0 including victories over Bellarmine and Mercer. Sophomore midfielder Ian McGrath and freshman forward Mikey Matic each tallied two goals each.
 
A NEW ERA
The Aces have a new head coach this season, Marshall Ray. A former player (1995-'99) at UE, Ray graduated from UE in 2000 and has served on the staff for nine years with the last six as Associate Head Coach.
 
CALL FROM THE HALL
UE men's soccer player (1985-'87) Mick Lyon was announced as a 2016 Missouri Valley Conference Hall of Famer in August. He was the 1987 Midwestern Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and a Second Team All-American. Lyon was also the women's soccer head coach (1993-2001), winning nine MVC Championships.
 
UP FOR THE CHALLENGE
Evansville's schedule features three NCAA Tournament teams from last year (Indiana, Kentucky, St. Louis). The Aces will take on two teams that finished in the final RPI top 25 last season (Indiana 16, St. Louis 22) and seven in the top 100 (Bowling Green 64, Butler 68, Missouri St. 76, Mercer 86, and Lipscomb 97).
 
PROMO SCHEDULE
Homecoming will occur on Sept. 26. Indiana Youth Soccer Night is Oct. 24 and Senior Night will take place Oct. 10
 
JOIN UEFC
New this season, UEFC is the membership supporters group for the men's soccer team. UEFC has five tiers with each offering different incentives. To learn more on UEFC and how you can join, fans are encouraged to visit GoPurpleAces.com and click on the Men's Soccer Page.
 

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