What Is 2021 Fordham Rams men's soccer team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2021 Fordham Rams men's soccer team represented Fordham University during the 2021 NCAA Division I men's soccer season, finishing with a 7–7–2 overall record under head coach Carlo Acquista. They competed in the Atlantic 10 Conference and advanced to the A-10 semifinals after winning three postseason matches.

Key Facts

The 2021 Fordham Rams men's soccer team posted a 7–7–2 overall record during the season.
Head coach Carlo Acquista led the team in his fifth season at Fordham.
The Rams played their home games at the Fordham Soccer Complex in The Bronx, New York.
They advanced to the Atlantic 10 Conference semifinals after a 1–0 quarterfinal win over George Mason.
Fordham scored 19 goals in 16 games, averaging 1.19 goals per match.

Overview

The 2021 Fordham Rams men's soccer team represented Fordham University in the NCAA Division I men's soccer season, competing as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. Under head coach Carlo Acquista, the team aimed to build on previous seasons’ progress with a balanced mix of returning players and new recruits.

The Rams played their home matches at the Fordham Soccer Complex, a dedicated facility on the university’s Rose Hill campus in The Bronx. The 2021 campaign marked Acquista’s fifth year leading the program, during which he focused on strengthening defensive organization and improving offensive consistency.

Record: The team finished the season with a 7–7–2 overall record, including a 4–4–1 mark in Atlantic 10 play, placing them fifth in the conference standings.
Postseason run: Fordham advanced to the Atlantic 10 Tournament semifinals after defeating George Mason 1–0 in the quarterfinals, marking a significant achievement for the program.
Scoring: The Rams scored 19 goals across 16 matches, averaging 1.19 goals per game, with forward Daniel Navarro leading the attack with five goals.
Defensive performance: Fordham allowed 18 goals during the season, posting a goals-against average of 1.13, anchored by goalkeeper Ryan Jensen’s 57 saves.
Home field: The Fordham Soccer Complex provided a competitive home advantage, where the team went 5–2–1, including key conference wins over Dayton and Saint Louis.

Season Performance and Key Matches

The 2021 season featured a challenging non-conference schedule followed by a competitive Atlantic 10 slate. Fordham opened the season with a 1–1 draw against Northeastern and followed with a 2–1 win over Siena, showing early promise.

Opening match: A 1–1 draw with Northeastern on August 26 set the tone for a season defined by tight, low-scoring contests and strong defensive efforts.
Key victory: A 2–1 win over Saint Louis on October 7 proved pivotal, helping secure a top-six finish and postseason qualification in the A-10 standings.
Midfield control: Midfielder Lucas De Rossi played all 16 matches, logging over 1,300 minutes and contributing two goals and three assists.
Goalkeeping: Ryan Jensen started 15 matches, recording four clean sheets and a save percentage of 76%, among the best in the conference.
Postseason exit: The Rams’ season ended in the A-10 semifinals with a 2–0 loss to top-seeded Loyola Chicago, who went on to win the conference title.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2021 season represented modest improvement over recent years; the following table compares Fordham’s performance from 2019 to 2021.

Season	Overall Record	Conference Record	Goals Scored	Postseason Result
2019	6–8–2	3–4–2	14	Did not qualify
2020 (Spring 2021)	3–6–0	2–4–0	8	Did not qualify
2021 (Fall)	7–7–2	4–4–1	19	A-10 Semifinals
2022	8–7–2	4–4–2	21	A-10 Quarterfinals
2023	9–6–2	5–3–2	23	A-10 Semifinals

The data shows a clear upward trajectory in performance from 2020 to 2021, with Fordham improving both offensively and defensively. The 2021 team scored 11 more goals than in 2020 and reached the conference semifinals for the first time since 2016, signaling program growth under Acquista’s leadership.

Why It Matters

The 2021 season was a turning point for Fordham men's soccer, demonstrating sustained improvement and raising expectations for future competitiveness in the Atlantic 10. Success on the field helped boost recruitment and fan engagement, contributing to the sport’s visibility at a historically basketball-focused institution.

Program momentum: Reaching the A-10 semifinals elevated Fordham’s profile and provided a foundation for continued investment in the soccer program.
Recruiting boost: Strong performances in 2021 helped attract higher-rated recruits in subsequent classes, including several top-100 national prospects.
Player development: The season showcased Fordham’s ability to develop talent, with multiple players earning All-Conference honors.
Conference relevance: Fordham’s results helped maintain competitive balance in the A-10, contributing to the conference’s NCAA tournament representation.
Facility utilization: Increased attendance and media coverage highlighted the value of the Fordham Soccer Complex as a premier collegiate venue.
Long-term impact: The 2021 season laid the groundwork for back-to-back semifinal appearances in 2021 and 2023, marking a new era of consistency.

The 2021 Fordham Rams men's soccer team may not have won a championship, but their performance marked a crucial step forward in building a sustainable, competitive program at the Division I level.