The Matchup
- The Greyhounds will begin the 2024 campaign on Thursday as they will travel to square off against the NJIT Highlanders
- This will be the fourth matchup between the two programs, with the series record standing at 1-1-1. In last years' matchup, teams play to a 1-1 draw, as
Sean McEvoy scored the equalizer in the 73rd minute.
Quick Hits
- The Greyhounds begin their tough non-conference schedule on Thursday. Entering the season, the Greyhounds will face four ranked teams during the 2024 season, including the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers.
- In the Preseason United Soccer Coaches Poll, Clemson (#1), Marshall (#8), Hofstra (#17), and Syracuse (#25) were all ranked in the poll. Loyola will be on the road for Clemson, Marshall and Syracuse, while they will host Hofstra at home on September 24.
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Steve Nichols enters his 11th season at the helm for the Greyhounds, and has amassed a record of 72-61-34 (48-24-14) during his tenure.
Last Season at a Glance
- From August 31 to October 21, the Greyhounds went 13 straight games without a loss, as they went 6-0-7.
- The Greyhounds went five straight Patriot League games with a shutout, totaling 567.47 straight minutes from Bucknell's first half goal, to Boston's second half goal.
- The Greyhounds offense found their stride in the second half of the season, as they scored multiple goals in six of their last eleven games, winning all six games that they scored multiple goals.
- The Greyhounds finished the season ranked first in the Patriot League in goals allowed, as they allowed just 15 goals on the season.
Greyhounds Returners
- The Greyhounds will return 12 players from last years' team that started at least eight games during the 2023 season.
- The most notable returners are
Dylan Van der Walt in goal, who started all 18 games last season,
Sean McEvoy,
Jake Sweeney,
Jordy Luchies,
Chris Ogor, and
Jeremiah Zuniga., who all started at least 10 games last season.
- Other returners include
Tyler Tucker,
Brandon Meminger,
Ben Schouten, and
Rolando Onu who look to have an impact on the field.
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Caden Stafford,
Jake Mayer, and
Richie Nichols both return to the Greyhounds after injuries cut their 2023 season short.
Scouting NJIT
- The Highlanders will also begin their season on Thursday when they host the Greyhounds.
- NJIT finished the 2023 season with a 7-8-4 record on the season, as they went 3-2-2 in America East play.
- They reached the America East Semifinals where they lost to top seed New Hampshire, 1-0.
- The Highlanders return their top goal scorer in Alvaro Heredia, who scored 5 goals and 2 assist last season. They also return Goncalo Franco who was third on the team with 3 goals last season.
- In goal, the Highlanders wil feature a new goalkeeper, with all three goalkeepers from a year ago no longer with the team. They will feature either Devin Armstrong, a Wake Forest transfer, Sebastian Ibanez, a Lincoln Memorial transfer, or freshman Evan Chomow.
- NJIT was picked to finish in 5th place in the America East Preseason Poll.
Quick Notes
- The Greyhounds are 45-12-12 in the Patriot League since the beginning of the 2016 season.
- In 2022, the Greyhounds set a program-high with 8 ties on the season.
- The Greyhounds are 15-0-1 since the beginning of the 2021 season when scoring multiple goals. They are also 15-0 when leading at halftime and 14-3-11 when they out shoot opponents since the beginning of 2021.
- In their last five season openers, the Greyhounds are 1-3-1.
Lockdown Defense
- The Greyhounds defense was lockdown last season, allowing just 15 goals in 18 games.
- The Greyhounds defense ranked 21st nationally in goals against average, as they allowed .833 goals per game.
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Dylan Van der Walt ranks tied for 19th in shutouts, and 25th in goals against average (.833).
- The Greyhounds have allowed multiple goals in a game just three times last season.
- In Patriot League play, the Greyhounds allowed just six goals, with the team tallying six Patriot League shutouts, including a shutout in five of their last seven conference games to end the season.
