Seven seniors return to lead Blue Devils
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Men's soccer
(RELATED: HOME GAMES KEY/SUNYAC PREVIEW/2010 ROSTER)
FREDONIA, N.Y. -- If having a senior-laden roster is an omen, this could be another special season for the 2010 Fredonia State men’s soccer team.
Head coach P.J. Gondek’s has seven four-year players from whom to choose and lean on, the most he’s ever had in 10 seasons at the helm. The 2005 and 2007 teams had six seniors each. Both those teams advanced all the way to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
“All seven (seniors) are experienced in conference play, and all have been starters at one time or another” Gondek said. “These clearly are players who have made the four-year commitment to the program. That’s a good start, but I don’t think there are any guarantees.”
The septet consists of two forwards, four midfielders, and one defender.
The forwards are both three-time All-SUNYAC picks: Ryan O’Donnell (Orchard Park) and Peter Dagel (Rochester/Gates-Chili). O’Donnell received a medical redshirt after sustaining an injury early in the 2009 season. He was coming off a 10-goal season in 2008, and has 22 goals and 15 assists overall – 10th on Fredonia State’s all-time scoring list with 59 points. Dagel is right behind with 57 points, including a team-leading seven goals in 2009 – half his team’s entire total.
The senior midfielders are two-time All-SUNYAC Eli Lubberts (Ontario/Wayne) as well as Jack Flechaus (Brockport), John Grabowski (Middleport/Roy-Hart), and Brett Wysocki (Gansevoort/Columbia), while Stephen Ahern (Nottingham, U.K./Billborough) is the lone senior defender.
The return of O’Donnell and junior Matt Grabowski (Victor), who also missed part of 2009 with an injury, should improve the offense. In their absence, the Blue Devils struggled to score in 2009 – 14 goals total to their opponents’ 19 goals.
“We should be able to score goals,” Gondek said. “Dagel, O’Donnell, and Grabowski were our top three scorers two years ago.”
Other key returning players include 2009 SUNYAC Rookie of the Year Ryan Smith (Fairport). As a freshman midfielder last season, Smith caught the eye of conference coaches despite tallying just one goal and one assist. “He’s so incredibly aggressive,” Gondek said, “and has got a motor that never stops going. He stands out because of his high work rate.”
One newcomer to the roster comes with collegiate experience. Sophomore midfielder Tyler Williams (Orchard Park) played NCAA Division I level soccer last fall at Manhattan. “He has superior technical ability,” Gondek said of Williams. “In addition to his superior skill, he has superior understanding of the game.”
With the four seniors, Smith, Williams, returning sophomores Brian Courtney (Buffalo/Kenmore West) and Gabe Esposito (Fabius/Fabius-Pompey), and freshman Chase Lipshie (Port Jefferson Station/Comsewogue), the Blue Devils are deep in the midfield.
“I’m going to have to keep people happy, that’s how deep we are,” Gondek said.
Led by the senior Ahern, the defense has a familiar look. Three projected starters all have experience -- juniors David Thoin (Buffalo/St. Joe’s Collegiate) and Luke Spencer (Rochester/West Irondequiot), and sophomore Matt Schroen (Clarence). In addition, juniors Shawn Creviston (Schenectady/Notre Dame) and Rejean Archambeault (Horseheads) are back for their third seasons.
The solid play of goalkeeper Thom Cavanaugh – the lone departure via graduation – earned him an All-SUNYAC selection. In his place, Gondek will choose a starter from between junior Bobby McGinnis (Elmira/Elmira Free Academy) and freshman Eddie Bower II (Holley).
Another newcomer, junior Brandon Butts (Davenport), has been in the starting group at forward during pre-season practices and in scrimmages against D-I Canisius and D-II Gannon. Meanwhile, the coaching staff has been bolstered by the addition of Jake Harrrison, a native of Liverpool, England, and a former professional player in the United States. The coaching staff will again include Dan Smith and Brett Gould.
The Blue Devils open their season Friday at Franklin and Marshall, followed by a trip Saturday to meet defending national champ Messiah.