Sports Information Department – 112 Dods Hall
Phone (716) 673-3100 / Fax (716) 673-3136

CONTACT: Jerry Reilly,
Sports Information Director

DATE: Thurs., Sept. 1, 2005

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Men's soccer

SUNYAC's top defensive unit remains nearly intact

FREDONIA, N.Y. -- Matt Borchard was overlooked last season when conference awards were handed out.

Borchard was 13th in NCAA Division III with a SUNYAC-best 0.556 goals-against average in 2004. He also led the conference in save percentage (87.5%).

Nonetheless, he failed to garner enough votes from opposing coaches to make the SUNYAC all-conference team -- not even as an honorable mention.

“He may be the best goalkeeper in the conference,” said Gondek, whose team opens its season Sept. 2 at Ohio Wesleyan.

Now a senior, Borchard is one of four returning starters in 2005. The others are senior co-captains Bryon Thoin and Brandon Derkacz, and sophomore Lee Wilson. Thoin and Wilson are centerbacks, while Derkacz was a starter on the right side. They will be joined by junior Alex Parker, a possible starter on the left side, plus two experienced reserves, juniors Kevin Swain and Jeff Morsch.

As a group, the Blue Devils were 29th nationally last year in shutout percentage, and led the SUNYAC in fewest goals allowed (15 in 19 games).

“It will be hard to top the virtually flawless play of this group in 2004,” Gondek said. “But for (the team) to make a run at the (SUNYAC) championship, they will need a repeat performance.”

Gondek will look toward several newcomers to pick up the scoring load in 2005. Junior transfers Steve Lesmes and Nathan Goss, and freshman Nick Deck and Jason Januskiewiczy have scoring potential. The hold-overs at forward are senior Michael Battisti, junior Matt Mahaffey, and sophomores Trevor Ianni and Andrew Sharman.

Gondek says the role of field general will likely fall upon senior Vincenzo Alfieri, who played well in 2004 despite a nagging knee injury. Newcomers are be counted on elsewhere in the midfield, among them, junior Jordan Berg, a transfer from Cortland; and freshmen Scott Gentner, Jeff Moretti, Chris Lindner, Zack Wood, and Chris Huber.

While playing time behind Borchard could be limited, Gondek will choose from senior Yoshikazu Arai and freshman Mike Tarkett.

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