August 29, 2008
BULLDOGS GET SET FOR D1 PLAY, TAKE ON MARQUETTE MONDAY
SMITHFIELD, RI- After recording double-digit wins in 2007, the Bryant University men's soccer team will embark on a new journey in Division I play. The Bulldogs finished the 2007 campaign with an 11-7-1 record, but were eliminated from the Northeast-10 conference tournament in the quarterfinals . The 11-wins were the second-highest total for the Bulldogs under the direction of Head Coach Seamus Purcell, and the first 10-win season since 2001.
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| The Bulldogs get set for their first season of Divsion I play. |
Under the tutelage of Purcell, the Bulldogs have won 42 games in the last five seasons, and posted winning conference records in six of the last eight years. In their final season in the Northeast-10, the Bulldogs finished with a 6-7-0 conference record, good for sixth in the conference and finishing off their final season in Division II.
This season, the Bulldogs will begin a four-year transition
period into Division I where they will be members of the Northeast
Conference. The schedule this year is much different from past
years, as Bryant will play just one regular season home game (Oct.
3 vs LIU). The team will start the season with a trip to Marquette
University to take on the Golden Eagles of the Big East. Other
trips include a weekend in Virginia to take on VCU and the
University of Richmond, as well as two games in Pittsburgh against
the University of Pittsburgh and Robert Morris.
The Bulldogs roster features just one senior this season and a
recruiting class that brought in 14 freshmen, all of whom will have
a chance to play significant minutes immediately. Many holes will
be left to fill as the Bulldogs lost graduating seniors Mike
Gargiulo (second on the team in points in 2007) and defenders Kyle
Tierney and Nick Ballistierri. They also lost keeper Tom Madden,
who is the all-time leader in goals against average in Bryant
soccer history. With six returning starters, there are plenty
of spots for younger players to make an impact.
Forwards
Junior tri-captain Matthew Brown (South Easton,
Mass.) will be the main target up front for the Bulldogs
in 2008. Brown led the team in points last season, recording seven
goals and one assist while starting 14 games. His speed and skills
will be important in the team's success.
Helping Brown up top will be sophomore Norbert Guery
(Andover, Mass.) As a freshman, Guery provided a much
needed spark off the bench, appearing in all 19 matches and
tallying three goals and one assist. He will be tested as a starter
this season and will be called upon in both the forward and
midfield positions.
Two transfers will also join the Bulldog front line. Junior
Andre Barros (Ashland, Mass) is a transfer from
Assumption College where he played in all 17 games for the
Greyhounds as a freshman in 2006, scoring two goals and one assist
while leading the team in points. Barros was named a tri-captain
entering this season's campaign and will be a integral part of the
team's transition to Division-I with his leadership. Freshman
Kyle Paton (Westfield, Mass.) will also look to
provide scoring power off the bench. Paton transferred from
American Internal College, where he appeared in six contests last
season. He recorded one goal in the exhibition season against
CCRI. Rounding out the forwards are junior Connor
Moore (Shoreham, N.Y.) and walk-on freshman Bunmi
Familoni who will add depth to the Bulldog bench.
Midfield
Lone senior tri-captain Manny Rodriguez (North
Branford, Conn.) will anchor the midfield for the
Bulldogs. Last season, Rodriguez appeared and started in 15 games,
recording three goals and two assists. In his career at Bryant,
Rodriguez has played in a total of 49 games with 12 goals and two
assists. His experience will be key, as there is no doubt he is a
very important piece to the 2008 squad.
Sophomores Sean Kaukas (Glastonbury, Conn.) and Erik Lekstrom (Worcester, Mass.) became contributors in 2007, and both will step into starting roles in 2008. Both started in eight games last season and appeared in 18. Kaukas, who will also see time at forward, had two goals and three assists last season, good for seven points. Lekstrom will play more of a defensive role this season, and could see time in the back as well.
Freshman newcomers Ben Mello (Rehoboth, Mass.), Frankie Hand (Lynbrook, N.Y.), and Nicholas Parisi (Holbrook, N.Y.) will all battle for playing time and possibly a starting spot in the midfield.
Defense
Junior Patrick Bedard (East Longmeadow,
Mass.) and sophomore Jordan Martin (Bristol,
Conn.) will captain the defense for the Bulldogs. Martin,
who will play more of a central defensive role, started 16 games as
a freshman for Bryant and appeared in all 19. Bedard will play on
the outside alongside Martin. He started 17 games
while appearing in 19 in 2007, while notching one goal. Also
returning is junior John Soborski who appeared in 12 games last
season, and will play a more important role in 2008.
Purcell brought in eight freshmen who will all battle for playing time in the back this season. Leading the class is Ben Lawrence (Amherst, N.H.) who will look to play outside back and make an immediate impact. Robb Rodriguez (North Branford, Conn.) has the capability of playing both outside midfield and outside back. Others looking to crack the line-up will be Cuinn Nevins (Cheshire, Conn.), Trevor Krapels (West Paterson, N.J.), Daniel Cook (East Haven, Conn.), Anthony Restivo (Lisbon, Conn.), Ethan Friedman (Massapequa, N.Y.), and Bryan German (Sandwich, Mass.).
Goalkeepers
Replacing graduating senior Tom Madden will be a tough task, but
the Bulldogs have a quartet of keepers ready to take on the
challenge. Bryant returns two goalies from the 2007 group including
junior Neil Black (Roslyn Heights, N.Y.) and
sophomore Victor Tutino (Deer Park, N.Y.). Black
has the most experience, appearing in six games and racking up 105
minutes last season. Tutino appeared in one game last year and will
be a strong back-up for Black. Joining the returners are six-foot
two-inch freshmen Andrew Snell (South Salem, N.Y.)
and Chris Bronski. Both will look to crack the
line-up in goal.
The Bulldogs first game will be Monday, September 1st at Marquette (7 p.m. CT).
