Nov. 8, 2009

Charlotte, NC -

2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship Bracket

The 15th-ranked Charlotte 49ers (11-3-4, A-10: 5-2-2) are seeded fifth in the Atlantic 10 Championship which will be played at the University of Rhode Island's Soccer Complex, November 12-15. The 49ers face fourth-seed Rhode Island (9-8, A-10: 6-3) in the second A-10 Tournament quarterfinal game, Thursday, November 12 at 7:30 pm. Charlotte, who is looking for their first A-10 Tournament title, reached the Championship game of the 2007 A-10 Tournament.

Defending champion Dayton is the top seed after capturing the A-10 regular-season title. Saint Louis is seeded second. Dayton and Saint Louis have each earned first-round byes.

Fordham, Rhode Island, Charlotte and St. Bonaventure round out the 2009 Atlantic 10 Tournament filed.

The 2009 Atlantic 10 Men's Soccer Championship begins on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 5:00 pm, with #6 St. Bonaventure taking on #3 Fordham at the URI Soccer Complex. Thursday's other opening round game will pit #4 Rhode Island versus #5 Charlotte at 7:30 pm.

Semifinal action commences on Friday, Nov. 13, with top-seeded Dayton facing the lowest remaining seed while #2 Saint Louis faces the highest remaining seed. The game times are set for 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm.

The title game of the 2009 A-10 Championship will be held Sunday, Nov. 15, at 1:00 pm.

The 49ers have been ranked nationally for a majority of the season after upsetting then-#3 Wake Forest, 3-1, on the road in late September. Charlotte enters the tournament after having either won or tied 15 of their last 17 games.

Senior Adam Gross leads the 49ers in goals with eight. He has also recorded six assists for a team-high 22 points. Sophomore Evan James and freshman Jennings Rex are tied for second on the team with six goals apiece. Rex scored both of Charlotte's goals in their 2-1 overtime win over Saint Joseph's, Friday. While, James scored the 49ers goal at Temple, Sunday. Senior Luke Exley is fourth on the team with five goals.

Junior Andres Cuero leads the 49ers with seven assists. Gross and Exley are tied for second on the team with six assists.

The 49ers defense behind senior goalkeeper David Martin and defenders senior Nathan Mathers, sophomores Charles Rodriguez and Isaac Cowles and freshman Justin Tucker have helped the 49ers record five shutouts and limit 11 foes to a goal or less this season.