Men’s Soccer tabbed 3rd in Pre-Season Poll
BENNINGTON, Vt.- The Southern Vermont College Men's Soccer team will look to make the next step in 2011, after a runner up finish in 2010. After battling through a tough New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) and non-conference schedule the 2010 Mountaineers found themselves as the fifth seed heading into the conference tournament. From there they went on a historic run beating Mitchell College 2-1, advancing on penalty kicks over top seeded Lesley University and then falling 2-0 to Daniel Webster in the championship round.
This year however, Head Coach Tim Penrod looks to bring the program to another level, a level they have never been before: The NCAA tournament. The easiest way to do that: win the conference tournament.
The 2011 squad will return key starters, Nick Haggerty, Chris Hansen, Connor Murray, Noah Massucci, and Greg Gilmore. Haggerty who is 3rd on the school's All-Time Point List, with 86, returns as the reigning NECC Most Valuable Player. Hansen and Massucci were also recognized by the conference a season ago as Hansen earned second team honors and Massucci received NECC Honorable Mention. Murray proved to be a big game player in 2010 honored on the All Tournament roster for the conference championship and for the Delaware Valley Tournament. Gilmore enters his senior season as SVC's All-Time leader in games started, being a force on the Mountaineers defense.
SVC couples their key returnees with a solid incoming class. Penrod brought 12 incoming players to this years team in hope of winning the conference championship. Top newcomers for the Mountaineers include the California duo of Ignacio Cervantes and Erik Argueta. Cervantes and Argueta each earned All California Interscholastic Federation honors at El Rancho HS. Joining Cervantes and Argueta are fellow freshman midfielder Tommy Youngblood, and sophomore transfer Pierre Massena.
SVC was chosen third in the NECC Pre-Season poll which is voted on by all nine conference coaches. Points were configured by nine points going to first place votes, eight for second, continuing down to one point for a ninth place vote. Lesley took the top honors with five first place votes and 75 total points. Conference tournament champion Daniel Webster was voted second with three first place votes and a total of 73 points. The Mountaineers earned 57 points while Becker and Mitchell completed the top five. Regis, Elms, Newbury and Wheelock rounded out the field.
SVC opens their season Thursday, September 1st, at Green Mountain College. The Mountaineers home opener is Saturday the 3rd vs. Bard College at 1:00PM, and will open the conference schedule September 17th at home vs. Regis College at noon.
As a former ECAC 1st Team All star and NECC POY Haggerty, a senior captain, looks to continue his on field success. Haggerty has amassed 35 goals and contributed 16 assists over his first three seasons. In 2011 however, he will distribute the wealth to Massena. A sophomore transfer from Cetennary College, Massena was described by Penrod as, "Pierre brings a great mix of true athleticism and tactical understanding."
Freshman Christopher Salva and Youngblood will see time at the forward position. Salva will split time amongst defense and forward while Youngblood will spend the majority of his time in the midfield. Doug Spingola will compete for playing top at the forward position as well.
After being a major component of the Mountaineers defense the past two years Massucci will make the position move to center midfield. Argueta and Cervantes will join Massucci to control the center of the field.
"This group is technically the most sound group of players we have. Their first touch is impeccable, they have great vision, and will work relentlessly to control the pace of the game.", said Penrod about his central midfielders.
Youngblood adds even more depth to SVC's solid midfield. Penrod spoke highly of the midfielder stating, "Tommy played for a good high school and a very strong club in Freestate (MD). He is someone who will join us and make an immediate impact. He has very high expectations for himself, and he has the ability to become one of the top players in our conference."
The most experienced position on the field for the Mountaineers in 2011 is the defense. Gilmore, Hansen, and Murray all lead the defense. Gilmore and Hansen have been a major reason for the Mountaineers success the last few years. In 2011 Gilmore returns to the position he played when the Mountaineers won 11 games in 2009.
"We have a good mix of size, experience, and athleticism in our back line this year. It's not a particularly deep group, but I know the guys back there have a proven track record of staying healthy over long seasons. The most important thing for the three returning players in the back is to instill a sense of confidence in our young goalkeepers." said Penrod about his experienced defenders.
The Mountaineers defense will also have the task of maturing five freshman defenders including, Salva, David Morse, Joe Pepe, Sean Wright, and Eric Parmelee. The five will not only compete amongst each other for playing time but also with the returnees, pushing the level of play.
"This is a very athletic group. They are a touch raw in terms of their understanding of the game, but their overall work rate and dedication to getting better each and every day will turn them into experienced, dependable players before the start of our conference schedule", Penrod exclaimed about his freshman defenders.
One of the biggest changes for SVC in 2011 will be the Goalkeeper. With three year starter Aaron Eschler graduated, it will now be Eschler's job as Goalkeeper Coach, to train freshman keepers Connor Anniello and Brenden Shea. Anniello and Shea each posses great skills in different parts of the game, creating a competitive pre-season competition.
Penrod described his freshman keepers by stating, "Brendan and Connor are good, young goalkeepers. Right now, our focus with them is teaching them how to be more than just good shot-stoppers. They have very big shoes to fill, but I'm confident that both of them are more than equal to the task at hand."
