Aug. 29, 2007
EASTON, Pa. - Expectations remain high for the 2007 men's soccer team as the program's winning reputation has only increased with each passing season under head coach Dennis Bohn. While the 2006 campaign may not have ended how the players and coaches would have wished, the foundation remains in place for another successful fall.
The Leopards suffered a tough loss to Bucknell in last year's Patriot League Tournament Championship game, as the Bison escaped with a win in penalty kicks. Anyone expecting that letdown to carry over into 2007 should reconsider, however.
"The loss gave us a lot of motivation heading into this season, especially based on how we lost," Bohn said. "It's the last thing everyone remembers coming into this season--how last year ended. But we have a great group of seniors and their leadership is going to help get this team back where we want to be. Our goal is to win the championship and the team is very motivated."
Lafayette returns its top five scorers from last season as well as three of the team's top defenders, giving the squad experience and consistency on both ends of the field. The Leopards did lose several key players, including Thomas Harju, who finished second on Lafayette's all-time career assists list. Scott Backus, last season's starting goalie, also graduated, leaving a vacancy between the posts. With those losses, however, will come opportunities for younger players to step in and make their own marks on the program.
In the Back
With the loss of just one starting defender, Lafayette should have no problem putting another solid defense on the playing field. Senior captain Luke Sullivan, fresh off a career season, and juniors Corey Dempsey and Steve Ference will help Sullivan anchor that defense.
Sullivan finished last season with a career-best five goals but more importantly was a member of a defensive unit that held opponents to just 20 goals and 181 shots last season. He earned Second-Team All-Patriot League honors in 2006 following a sophomore season in which he was named to the league's first team.
Dempsey also had a strong season, starting 15 games as a sophomore, while Ference earned 13 starts and registered a career-best five assists. Combined with a talented core of younger players, including freshman Andreas Kustas, Lafayette's reputation for standout defense is expected to continue.
"With three of four defenders returning this fall, we'll be able to continue our tradition of strong defense," said Bohn. "Luke is back after a tremendous career so far and Corey and Steve will be back, as well. We have younger players coming into the program and who are already in the program who will also compete for playing time."
The team lost Backus, who made 11 starts and posted three shutouts in 2006. Sophomore Phil Nelson and freshman Andrew Pianko are both expected to compete for the starting job. Freshman Michael Cuomo joined the team at the end of preseason and will provide the Leopards with a third option.
In the Midfield
The midfield is an area which will see a mix of veteran and younger players on the field. The team lost Harju, arguably one of the best players to come through the Lafayette soccer program, and Chris Doney. However, seniors Anthony Sepe and Mike Tilley bring a great deal of playing experience to the squad and with Chad Barbieri and Mike Celentano, who took the previous year off from soccer after having played for Bohn as a freshman in 2005, bring a wealth of talent and energy to the midfield.
"We did lose some playing time at outside midfield due to graduation, but our central midfield is back with Anthony and Mike returning," noted Bohn. "With Chad and Mike, we'll be able to fill the outside midfield positions with talented players."
Sepe, a tri-captain, was one of just two players to start all 17 games last season, recording one goal and three assists. Tilley was also a reliable player, starting 16 games and notching three goals, a career-high.
Barbieri also had a productive season, scoring two goals and finishing the season with 14 shots, and with two seasons under his belt, will bring leadership and game experience to the field. Freshmen Dan Bergen, Sam Feldbaum and Stephen Macurdy join the Leopards after solid high school careers and will provide Bohn with depth in the midfield.
Up Front
While Lafayette may be known for its defense, the offense will not be lacking this season. Five of the team's top scorers from 2006 return this year, including seniors Mark Price and Scott Hawkins.
Hawkins led the team with eight goals, a career-high, and with his two assists, tallied 18 points, good for fifth in the Patriot League. His play earned him a spot on the All-Patriot League Second Team as well as the NSCAA All-Mid Atlantic Regional Team for the second-consecutive season.
Price tied for second on the team with five goals, surpassing his previous career mark of three. He also excelled in the classroom as he was named to ESPN The Magazine's Academic All-District II Men's Soccer First Team.
There will be several other players who will compete for playing time alongside Price and Hawkins, many of whom saw playing time last season, including Nick Leigh and Kevin Miller.
"With Price and Hawkins, our sophomore class, and some talented freshmen coming in, we feel we're going to have quite a few options off the bench to play up top," Bohn said.
In addition, freshman B.J. Glenn, one of College Soccer News' `Top 100 Freshmen to Watch in 2007,' could see some playing time. Classmate Justin Kamine will join Glenn on the offense, as well.
The Schedule
For the first time in six seasons, the Leopards will open their season at home with the annual Lafayette Puma Classic. It will be just one of the many highlights on the 2007 schedule.
The team will welcome St. Francis (N.Y.) on Friday, Aug. 31 for the first day of the Puma Classic, and will face St. Peter's on Sunday. Opening at home is something special for the team and a weekend the program is looking forward to.
"I can't remember the last time we opened at home," Bohn said. "It's been a long time so I know the players are excited to get the season started."
Following that weekend, the Leopards will head to North Carolina to face two out-of-region opponents, Davidson and UNC-Greensboro. The team will then take a short trip down to the Philadelphia area to play La Salle and Hartwick on Sept. 14 and 16. The team returns home for several non-conference games, with matches against Philadelphia and Manhattan.
League play will open with a bang when the Leopards welcome archrival Lehigh to Bourger Field on Sept. 29. Other conference games on the schedule include road games at American, Army, Bucknell, and Holy Cross. Lafayette will host league opponents Colgate and Navy in addition to Lehigh.
There are several notable out-of-conference games on the schedule, as well, including a road game at Penn State, a team the Leopards have not played since 1997. In addition, the team will host Big East regular-season champion West Virginia on Oct. 31.
A road game at Holy Cross on Nov. 10 marks the final regular-season match for Lafayette, although no one is expecting the season to end there.
"We finish the season at Holy Cross," Bohn said, "and hopefully we'll take that into the Patriot League playoffs."
