Sept. 10, 2003

UNIVERSITY of RICHMOND-The Richmond men's soccer program will host the 2003 UR/Nike Challenge Cup at First Market Stadium on Friday, September 12th, and Saturday, September 13th. In addition to the host Spiders, the tournament includes excitement from the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers, the Dartmouth Big Green and the Duquesne Dukes.

This will be the eighth annual University of Richmond/Nike Challenge Cup. The tournament marks the beginning of the Spiders' eight-match home schedule. Last year's representatives of the 2002 UR/Nike Challenge Cup were host Richmond, Howard, Lehigh and VCU. Richmond earned its first consecutive UR/Nike Challenge Cup Title by defeating Lehigh, 3-2, in double overtime and a shutout, 3-0, win over Howard.

This year's action begins on Friday when Duquesne faces Dartmouth at 5:30 p.m. and Richmond takes on Coastal Carolina at 8:00 p.m. in the night game. Saturday's line-up begins with Duquesne versus Coastal Carolina at 5:30 p.m., before action between Richmond and Dartmouth concludes the evening at 8:00 p.m.

Richmond (1-3) earned its first win of the season when they defeated West Virginia, 2-1, in overtime on August 31st. The Spiders tallied their first goal with just nine seconds remaining in regulation, before winning on the second one. Richmond is coming off two defeats, South Carolina, 3-0, and the College of Charleston, 3-1, this past weekend in the Aaron Olitsky Memorial Classic held in Mt. Pleasant, S.C. Senior goalkeeper Mike Nwaneri is tied for ninth in the South Atlantic Region with 14 saves.

The 17th-ranked Coastal Carolina Chants (2-0) have posted two home shutout wins this season. They defeated UNC Greensboro, 1-0, on August 30th, and Davidson, 1-0, on September 2nd. In last weekend's action, goalkeeper Andrew Paxton recorded seven saves to lead the Chanticleers past Florida Atlantic 3-2.

Chanticleer Roster
Chanticleer Stats

Dartmouth University opens its season this weekend in the UR/Nike Challenge Cup. Last season the Big Green (8-7-1) finished strong by winning six of their last seven contests including four shutout wins.

Big Green Roster
Big Green Stats

Duquesne (3-0) is ranked third in the NSCAA Middle Atlantic Region and is undefeated after defeating Cleveland State, 3-2, and Buffalo, 4-0, in the Duquesne Classic held August 29th and 30th. The third win came this past weekend with a 2-0 shutout against Bucknell University. The team is led by Jason Kutney, who was deemed the Duquesne Classic Defensive Most Valuable Player.

Dukes Roster
Dukes Stats