For Immediate Release: August 22, 2006
Contact: David O'Brian (dobrian@binghamton.edu)
Phone: 607-777-6478

BU men's soccer seeks to maintain impressive three-year run

VESTAL, N.Y. - The Binghamton men's soccer team arrives at a crossroad as it begins the 2006 season. For the past three years, the Bearcats have been the most consistent winner in the America East Conference, having advanced to the past three title games. Having seen last season's prolific senior class graduate, however, means that the Bearcats will have to look for new leaders to rise up and continue the Bearcats remarkable run of excellence. It is challenge that head coach Paul Marco and squad welcomes.

"We lost seven great seniors, including most of our backs," Marco said. "But we also have guys who have played in several America East finals and know what it takes to be successful. Our new players will need to learn what it takes to be successful at this level quickly."

Each year, the Bearcats have developed a style of play that has best suited the strengths of its players. Three years ago, Binghamton had the best defense in the nation. In 2004, it was one of the top offensive teams in the America East. Last season, defense was once again the cornerstone of the squad.

"We have a lot of versatile players who can play either up front or in the back," Marco said. "But one biggest strengths of our team this year is that we are very quick. We have the ability to get down the field at a fast pace."

FORWARD

Binghamton went through a rebuilding year on the offensive end in 2005 after losing Charles Darkwah and Stephen Bruce to graduation. It took time, but current seniors Joey Neilson and Peter Sgueglia developed into a formidable tandem by the end of the year.

Neilson, who has been among the team leaders in goals since his freshman season, has three goals and three assists in 10 career playoff games. Sgueglia scored a goal and tallied three assists in the Bearcats' final four games last year.

"Joey and Peter are as dangerous up front as any duo in the America East," Marco said. "They bring as much experience as any team."

Two new players who will also see time up front are freshman Theo Krah and redshirt freshman Brendan McGovern.

"Theo is a very strong and versatile player," Marco said. "He has a carefree attitude in that he doesn't back down from opponents. Brendan has had a good fall so far and played well in our (exhibition) game against Penn State."

Two other options up front are senior Yusif Ibrahim and sophomore Cody Germain. Although Ibrahim is slated to play in the backfield, his versatility resulted in one of the team's biggest goals last season -- the game-winner in the Bearcats 1-0 win over Coastal Carolina which propelled them back into the national rankings. Germain, who plays primarily at midfield, could see an increased role up front after scoring a goal and recording two assists as a freshman.

MIDFIELD

For four years, Danilo was what Marco calls "the engine" of the team at central midfield. In 2006, the new engine will be senior Kyle Antos, the lone player left on the team from Marco's first season (2002). Antos has been among the team's most clutch players, having scored a goal in each of the past two America East Conference title games.

"Kyle has been a warrior for us," Marco said. "He has had a very good preseason."

With Antos, Germain, senior Bryan Arnault and junior Matt Narode, Marco has what he feels is an outstanding core group of midfielders. After ranking among the team leaders in goals the past two seasons, Arnault moved back to the defensive midfield in 2005. Narode, who led the squad with seven goals last year, moves back to the midfield because of what Marco describes as his outstanding awareness during a game.

"We have a solid foundation at midfield," Marco said. "They are an aggressive, versatile and relentless group. Even though he was great up front (last season), Matt has the best understanding and tactical awareness of the game of anyone on our team, which is what we need at midfield."

Among the newcomers at midfield are freshmen Kyle Kucharski and Michael Zervas.

"Kyle is further along than we thought he'd be at this point," Marco said. "He has also gained a great understanding of the college level and the standard that we play. Michael has been very good with the ball so far (during the preseason)."

BACKS

Without question, graduation took the biggest hit in Binghamton's backfield, with starters Graham Munro, Darius Ravangard having graduated. There was little question that Marco's biggest task was to shore up his defense during the offeseason.

"After last season, we knew the biggest area we had to address within our team was our defense. With our returning players and new guys, we feel we have a great chance to continue our tradition of not giving up many goals."

Sophomore Barry Neville, an America East All-Rookie pick last year, and junior Adam Chavez, who made the same team in 2005, are the top two returnees.

"Barry is on his way to becoming one of the players who form the heart of our team," Marco said. "He is a tough defender and is slowly developing into one of our leaders. Adam is such a versatile player that he can win games for us up front or in the back."

Marco has four newcomers who could earn significant playing time this season in sophomore Liam Carson and Mark Woods along with freshmen Mike Garcia and Chris Terry.

"Liam is going to challenge to get on the field right away," Marco said. "Mike has been a pleasant surprise so far for us. Mark is a very good passer of the ball and Chris has the ability to dictate the pace of a game. This is a good group and we need them to step up for us to continue being good on defense."

Two returning players who Marco also cites as being "pleasant surprises" are sophomore Ryan Tomko and Justin Leskow.

GOALKEEPERS

Like the forward line, Binghamton has its top goalkeeper returning in junior Ryan Bertoni. Last season, in his first season as a starter, Bertoni recorded seven solo shutouts. He also made his biggest save of the season in the penalty kick shootout against Boston in the America East Conference Tournament. It was his stop that propelled the Bearcats to the next round.

"Ryan has improved since last season," Marco said. "He has become more consistent and continues to make big saves for us."

Backing up Bertoni is redshirt freshman Jason Stenta.

"Jason has great natural reflexes and is very quick," Marco said. " He is blessed with natural talent and we are confident that he will rise to the challenge of converting his talent into becoming a very good Division I goalkeeper in the years to come."


SCHEDULE

Once again, Marco has put together the most challenging non-conference schedule the Bearcats have faced since moving up to the NCAA Division I level five years ago.

Highlighting the non-conference schedule is an Aug. 27 game at defending NCAA champion Maryland. The contest, which will be held at Ludwig Field at 7 p.m., marks the first time since moving up to the NCAA Division I level that the Bearcats will square off against the reigning national champions.

"It speaks volumes about where our program is heading to have a game against the national champions," Marco said. "(Ludwig Field) is an exciting place to play."

Binghamton opens up its 2006 schedule against Bucknell on Aug. 25 at 4 p.m. at the West Gym Field. Other non-conference home games come against Lehigh (Sept. 13) and Hartwick (Sept. 16).

On the road, Binghamton heads to Florida for a two-game road trip against Florida International (Sept. 8) and Florida Atlantic (Sept. 10). Closer to home, the squad heads up to Colgate (Aug. 29) and Syracuse (Sept. 20).

The Bearcats lone in-season tournament is the adidas/Hypertherm Dartmouth Classic, with games against the host school (Sept. 1) and Long Island (Sept. 3).

"This is by far the most challenging non-conference schedule we have played," Marco said. "After narrowly missing out on an at-large bid last year, we feel this will help our strength of schedule should we get the kind of results we have the past few seasons."

In America East Conference play, Binghamton opens up with a Sept. 23 road game at Maine. Other away matchups are at Boston (Sept. 30), UMBC (Oct. 11) and Albany (Oct. 18). At home, the Bearcats face New Hampshire (Sept. 27), Hartford (Oct. 4), Stony Brook (Oct. 14) and Vermont (Oct. 21).

The America East Conference Tournament starts on Oct. 25.

"The conference this year is as strong as its ever been," Marco said. "It would not be surprising to see one or two teams get at-large bids to the NCAA Tournament. We have the ability to finish first but the conference is so good that we could also finish sixth. It is up to us to grow and improve as a team throughout the season."