PHILADELPHIA - The La Salle men's soccer team has two games on its slate this weekend, opening at Loyola (Md.) on Friday evening at 6 p.m. before returning home to host Mount St. Mary's on Sunday at 1 p.m.

La Salle Explorers (1-0) at Loyola (Md.) Greyhounds (0-0-1)
Friday, August 31, 2012 | 6 PM
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Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers (0-1) at La Salle Explorers (1-0)
Sunday, September 2, 2012 | 1 PM
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Scouting the Explorers

The Explorers provided a thrilling finish to their season opener on Saturday as Mike Stanton nailed a goal with just 36 seconds remaining in regulation to tie the game and rookie Joe Farrell provided the game winner just 45 seconds into overtime to defeat Drexel 3-2. Farrell recorded a three-point day in his collegiate debut, also assisting on Stanton's game-tying goal. Junior Jason Plumhoff, the leading returning scorer from last year's Atlantic 10 Tournament squad, also provided three points as he sank a penalty kick in the eighth minute and assisted on Farrell's game winner.

Farrell enters the weekend as the reigning Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Week and Soccer News Net/Philly Soccer News Player of the Week.

The squad looks to continue the momentum this weekend with one road trip and then the start of a three-game homestand, with Mount St. Mary's, Bucknell and Lafayette coming up in the next week.

Scouting the Greyhounds

The Greyhounds look for their first win of the season after playing Saint Francis (Pa.) to a scoreless double-overtime draw on Saturday. Goalie Thurman Van Riper made three stops in the game to preserve the shutout and earn MAAC Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Loyola was 10-6-2 last season and finished third in the MAAC. They are once again predicted to finish third in their league as the majority of their starting lineup from last season is back on the pitch this year. Stephen Dooley (6g, 4a, 16p) is the team's leading returning scorer followed by Connor Thompson (2g, 2a, 6p).

Scouting the Mountaineers

Mount St. Mary's also went into double overtime in its season opener on Saturday before falling 2-1 to Towson. Patrick Wheeler got the Mountaineers on the board in the 50th minute with his first goal of the season.

The Mountaineers were picked sixth in the NEC preseason poll. Defending NEC Rookie of the Year Zoncher Dennis returns for his sophomore season after scoring 11 goals as a freshman in 2011. Junior Jimmy Ockford also provides a scoring threat. The second-leading returning scorer scored three goals and assisted on three others for nine points last year.

Looking Ahead

La Salle will enjoy a three-game homestand, kicked off by the 1 p.m. contest against Mount St. Mary's on Sunday (9/2). They follow up with three straight Patriot League foes, hosting Bucknell (9/7; 7 p.m.) and Lafayette (9/9, 1 p.m.) before heading to Lehigh (9/12; 7 p.m.).