WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - This year's edition of the Monmouth University men's soccer team, ranked #15 in the NSCAA Preseason National Rankings, looks to build upon a historic 2009 campaign and carve out its own piece of program history this season. The Hawks bring back all but one starter from last year's team that advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and ascended to the fifth-ranked spot in the nation, and head coach Robert McCourt and the Blue and White will seek its unprecedented sixth straight Northeast Conference Regular Season Championship in 2010.
The Blue and White wrapped up the 2010 preseason with its final scrimmage on Saturday afternoon. The Hawks return a wealth of experience, including two Hermann Trophy Watch List members in seniors Ryan Kinne (Naugatuck, Conn. /Naugatuck) and Bryan Meredith (Scotch Plains, N.J. /Scotch Plains-Fanwood). This marks the second straight that MU placed two student-athletes on The Hermann Trophy, awarded annually to the top player in college soccer, preseason list.
Below is a position-by-position breakdown of the Hawks as they enter the 2010 season, which begins this Friday against host West Virginia at the Save Face WVU Classic in Morgantown.
Goalkeepers:
Meredith, who returns for his third season as the Monmouth keeper, has been a force since assuming the starting duties in 2008. The senior captain enjoyed one of the finest seasons for a keeper in school history last year, earning NSCAA/adidas North Atlantic Region First Team accolades as a junior. He led the nation in goals against average, allowing 0.306 goals per game, while also ranking third in the nation in save percentage, stopping 88.9% of the shots he has faced. He led all NEC keepers in GAA, save percentage, shutouts (12) and shutout percentage (71%), and logged a scoreless streak of 779:41, including eight straight clean sheets.
"Bryan has been stellar for us in the past, and we look for him to continue his form this year," said McCourt. "He is not only a good player, but a good leader, and he has the potential to be one of the best keepers in the nation."
Alex Blackburn (Natick, Mass. /Natick), who played in a pair of contests last season, and Alejandro Cordido (West Haven, Conn. /Notre Dame High School) will add depth to the goalkeeper corps this season. In his only start last season, Blackburn made five saves in a 3-0 shutout win over Central Connecticut State.
Defenders:
Three starters return to lead the defense in senior captain Anthony Vazquez (Belford, N.J. /Middletown North [St. John's]) and juniors RJ Allen (Old Bridge, N.J. /St. Joseph's) and Christian Nogueira (Kearny, N.J. /Kearny) this year. The trio helped make MU's defense one of the best in the country a season ago as the Hawks led the nation in team goals against average and shutout percentage at the end of the regular season, allowing 0.33 tallies per match while shutting out the opposition in 72% of its matches.
Senior Bryan Davis (Glen Gardner, N.J. /Voorhees) and a pair of transfers in junior Bryant Vargas (Corona, N.Y. / Francis Lewis [Bryant and Stratton College]) and sophomore Kevin Davis (Blackwood, N.J. /Highland Regional [Loyola University Md.]) should contribute this season along the back line for the Hawks. Sophomore Wes Ostrzycki (Edison, N.J. /Edison) and senior Thomas Adair (Levittown, N.Y. /St. John the Baptist [College of St. Rose]) will add depth to the defensive unit in 2010.
"Defense has always been the backbone of our program," said McCourt. "We feel as though we have a good balance of both experience and youth along the back line."
Midfielders:
The Monmouth midfield is the deepest unit on the team, with as many as six players on the roster having earned starting assignments there in the past. The midfield is led by Kinne, a captain and Monmouth's first ever First Team All-American and a Hermann Trophy Semifinalist a season ago. The reigning NEC Player of the Year helps control tempo in the middle, in addition to being one of the most dangerous offensive players in the nation. He is joined in the midfield by reigning All-NEC First Team and NSCAA/adidas North Atlantic Region First Team honoree sophomore Ryan Clark (Freehold, N.J. /Freehold Township). Clark enjoyed a banner season in his first campaign in West Long Branch, ranking second on the team with six goals and 17 points, while adding five assists.
Senior Drew Von Bargen (Medford, N.J. /Shawnee) has been a mainstay in the midfield the last two years for the Blue and White, starting 33 of the 39 matches he has played in. He is joined by a pair of standout juniors in Cesar Blacido (Ramsey, N.J. /Ramsey) and Max Hamilton (Medford, N.J. /Shawnee), both of whom started all 22 matches for the Hawks a season ago. Blacido scored the game-winning tally in last season's NCAA Tournament First Round shootout win over Connecticut, while Hamilton was named to the All-NEC Second Team as a sophomore. Junior George Caiella (Pittstown, N.J. /Seton Hall Prep) played in 21 games a season ago, adding two assists in MU's NEC Tournament Semifinal win over rival Fairleigh Dickinson, and should push for time in 2010.
Transfer Matt Beverin (Glen Rock, N.J. /Glen Rock [Louisville]) should contribute this season after coming to West Long Branch from the BIG EAST's Cardinals. He appeared in 12 games in his initial season of collegiate eligibility at Louisville, scoring one goal. Junior Ben Lowy (Ocean, N.J. /Ocean Township) and freshman Anthony Sena (Lebanon, N.J. /Immaculata) will supply depth in the midfield.
"We look for the midfield to control the tempo of our matches," said McCourt. "When our midfield is on, we enjoy our most success. We have a wealth of experience and talent at the position, all of which has played in big matches in their respective careers."
Forwards:
The Hawks' attackers all bring something different to the team, and together they form a very formidable unit. Back for the Hawks is senior captain Chase Barbieri (Hillsborough, N.J. /Hillsborough), who has scored 18 career goals despite being limited by a number of injuries throughout his career. The striker is healthy as the 2010 season begins, and is looking to regain the form that made him a Hermann Trophy Watch List member a season ago.
Tranfser Erkko Puranen (Viitasaari, Finland /Voionmaan Lukio [University of Rhode Island]) comes to Monmouth after leading the Atlantic 10's Rams in scoring the last two seasons. He started 18 of 20 matches last season, compiling five goals and three assists. As a freshman, he earned All-Atlantic 10 Second Team honors and was named to the league's All-Rookie squad, while also earning a spot on the 2008 A-10 All-Championship team.
Also back for MU are junior George Quintano (Manalapan, N.J. /Manalapan) and sophomore Alex Weidman (Linwood, N.J. /Mainland Regional), who saw action in 16 and 13 matches, respectively, a season ago.
Freshman Jacob Rubinstein (Ocean, N.J. /Ocean Township) had a very strong preseason, scoring two goals and adding an assist. His speed and playmaking ability will have him in the mix to contribute early up top.
