'Cats Open Training Trip with Tuesday Tilt at Saint Joseph's

8/13/2018 4:43:00 PM | Men's Soccer

PHILADELPHIA — Northwestern soccer kicks off its 2018 preseason training trip Tuesday, Aug. 10, at 11 a.m. CT with an exhibition game against Saint Joseph's in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, before traveling to Pomona, New Jersey, on Friday, August 17, to take on Rider (6:30 p.m. CT) at Stockton University.

Northwestern returns 10 starters from last year's team, including 21 of 22 goals scored. First year Tommy Katsiyiannis ranks second among the Big Ten's returning goal scorers. He posted a team-high seven goals in his rookie campaign, all of which came in the team's final nine games. Classmate Garrett Opperman was a unanimous selection to the Big Ten's All-Freshmen Team having played every minute of the season on Northwestern's defensive line. Sophomore Mac Mazzola busted onto the scene late in the season, scoring three of his four goals in the last six games. He finished second on the team in points with four goals and two assists.

Jose Del Valle was the latest addition to the incoming group of first years, joining midfielders Richie Bennett, Bardia Kimiavi and Connor McCabe and defenders Jayson Cyrus and Julian Zighelboim to round out the 2018 recruiting class. The class is highlighted by Valle, who joins the Wildcats after spending 11 years with the Real Madrid, C.F. Academy where he was the league's top goal scorer in the 2013-2014 season, and Bennett, who begins his collegiate career with Northwestern after playing for the U.S. Soccer Developmental Academy. The class was ranked No. 25 by TopDrawerSoccer.com.

Saint Joseph's finished 3-11-4 overall last season, while Rider posted a 12-5-2 overall record in 2017.

The Wildcats open their regular season on Aug. 24 when Cleveland State visits Martin Stadium for a 7 p.m. contest.