NEW HAVEN, Conn. – It will be a challenging start to the season for the Yale men's soccer team. The Bulldogs travel to upstate New York to face two teams that reached the NCAA Tournament a year ago. Yale plays at Syracuse on Friday at 7 p.m. followed by a Sunday matchup with Colgate at 5 p.m.
 
Family bragging rights will be on the line in the game with Syracuse. Junior Aldo Quevedo will be facing his younger brother Andres Quevedo, a first-year goalkeeper for the Orange. Aldo has been a significant contributor for the Bulldogs. He has been among the team's leading scorers in each of his first two seasons. Andres has yet to make his first appearance for Syracuse, which has already played two games. Their father, Aldo Sr., is making the trip from Dallas and will be in attendance.
 
It was a productive preseason for the Bulldogs, who played well in scrimmages with Rhode Island and the West Ottawa Soccer Club. Yale returns a strong nucleus from last year's team that posted its best overall record since 2011. Seven players that scored at least one goal last fall are back, including leading scorer Paolo Carroll, a second team All-Ivy selection who had five goals and five assists.
 
The biggest obstacle the team faces is replacing Nicky Downs, a first team All-Ivy selection who graduated and is currently playing professionally with the Hartford Athletic of the USL championship league.
 
HISTORY LESSONS
 
Yale and Syracuse are playing for only the second time. The Orange topped the Bulldogs 4-2 in 1985 at Loyola's Tournament.
 
Yale and Colgate are meeting for the first time since 2012, a scoreless tie in New Haven. The Bulldogs' last trip to Hamilton came in 1999, a 4-1 victory. Overall the teams have played five times and the series is tied 2-2-1.
 
SCOUTING SYRACUSE
 
The Orange, who received votes in the United Soccer Coaches preseason poll, has split its first two games, falling to No. 13 Georgetown before beating Binghamton. Ryan Raposo scored a pair of goals in the win over Binghamton. In last year's NCAA Tournament, Syracuse lost in the first round to Akron, who went on to reach the championship game.
 
SCOUTING COLGATE
 
The Red Raiders also qualified for the NCAA Tournament a year ago and earned a first-round victory over New Hampshire. Colgate, which hosts New Hampshire on Friday night, opened the season with a trip to Oregon to face a pair of nationally ranked opponents. The Red Raiders played a scoreless tie with No. 20 Portland and fell 2-1 to No. 22 Oregon State. Drew Fischer scored for Colgate against Oregon State.

Yale at Syracuse
Friday, Sept. 6 – 7 p.m.
Syracuse, N.Y.
Video
 
Yale at Colgate
Sunday, Sept. 8 – 5 p.m.
Hamilton, N.Y.