SPORTS

 

DAVIDSON, N.C. – Under the direction of third-year head coach Mike Babst, the Davidson men’s soccer team will open their 2021 fall campaign Thursday with a 7 p.m. kickoff against in-state foe High Point inside Alumni Stadium.

The Wildcats, who are unbeaten in 19 of their last 22 to begin a season, are 36-23-6 all-time in openers.

Davidson, which closed the 2021 spring slate 3-2-2 over its last seven, returns eight starters, including all-conference performers Lucas Hauth (second team) and Trey Gardiner (all-rookie).

A native of Fleming Island, Fla., Hauth finished his junior campaign ranked among conference leaders in goals scored (T-2nd | 5), game-winning goals (T-1st | 3) and total points (T-5th | 10). 

Instrumental in Davidson’s significant improvements, Gardiner started every game for the ‘Cats last year, adding an assist and helping the backline to a pair of shutouts. 

The Wildcats also welcome back goalkeeper Giacomo Piccardo, who finished the spring 3-2-2, including two clean sheets in consecutive outings late in the year.

Davidson and High Point have met 11 times on the pitch with the ‘Cats leading the all-time series, 5-3-3.  

High Point, which finished its preseason 1-1-1, is coming off a 12-2-0 season, which featured an 8-0-0 mark in league play and trip to the NCAA Tournament.

DAVIDSON WILDCATS (0-0, 0-0 Atlantic 10)
Head Coach: Mike Babst (Boston College, 1999)
Career Record: 94-38-16 (9th Season), Davidson Record: 7-15-4 (3rd Season)

HIGH POINT PANTHERS (0-0, 0-0 Big South)
Head Coach: Zach Haines (North Carolina, 2008)
Career Record: 25-9-0 (3rd Season), High Point Record: Same

Game Information
Date | Time: August 26, 2021 | 7 PM
Location: Davidson, N.C.
Site: Alumni Stadium
Field: 1992 Team Field
Video: ESPN+
Live Stats: DavidsonWildcats.com

Up Next
Davidson will play its second straight opponent from the Big South Conference when it travels to Campbell Sunday for a 6 p.m. start.