The 2011 America East Champion and NCAA first-round participant Stony Brook men's soccer team will host 2011 NCAA Tournament quarterfinalist Connecticut in a spring exhibition between two of the top teams in the Northeast region on Friday, March 30 at LaValle Stadium at 7:30 p.m.

"This will be an exciting game and a great test for our program," head coach Ryan Anatol said. "UConn is consistently one of the best teams in the country and are coming off a very successful 2011 season. This game will showcase some of the best players in college soccer, many of whom I would expect to see playing in the MLS in the near future. We expect a lot of support and a wonderful atmosphere, which will be great for the game of soccer in our community."

Last season, Connecticut was the runner-up in the BIG EAST Championship and then earned the No. 3 seed in the NCAA College Cup, defeating Monmouth in the second round and James Madison in the third round before bowing out to Charlotte in the quarterfinals. The Huskies were 19-3-3 on the year and finished the season ranked No. 5 in the NSCAA/Continental Tire Div. I Poll.

Stony Brook is coming off its third league championship in program history, knocking off Hartford in the America East Championship final, and advanced to the first round of the NCAA College Cup, losing to Monmouth in penalty kicks. Under Anatol, the Seawolves will return 16 letterwinners from last year's team, including nine starters and 94 percent of its goal-scoring.

Prior to the game, there will be a clinic run by the Stony Brook coaches and student-athletes for boys & girls, ages 6-13, from 5:30-6:30 p.m. (registration begins at 4:30 p.m.) at LaValle Stadium. Participants must register for the clinic and bring their own soccer ball.

Tickets for the game are $5 for both adults and children if purchased in advance. Tickets purchased on gameday will be $7. Clinic tickets, which include a ticket to the game, are $10.

For more information on the game, to purchase tickets or to sign up for the clinic, please download the clinic brochure and contact assistant coach Phil Ruskin at 631-632-7193 or at [email protected].

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