SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The Western New England College men’s soccer team will battle for its fourth consecutive title in The Commonwealth Coast Conference (TCCC) this fall with five returning starters and several experienced veterans.
This will be the Golden Bears’ final season in the league. Next fall, WNEC joins the newly created New England Collegiate Athletic Conference (NECAC).
Last year the Golden Bears posted a 16-5-4 record and captured both the conference regular season (10-2-1) and post-season tournament titles for the third year in a row. The conference tournament was thrilling as Coach Erin’s Sullivan’s team posted an exciting 3-2 victory over the University of New England in the quarterfinals before advancing on penalty kicks (3-2) after a 0-0 tie against Gordon in the semifinals.
Western New England College then posted a decisive 4-0 victory over Wentworth in the title match to advance to the NCAA Division III Championship for the sixth straight season.
At the nationals, the Golden Bears grinded out a 1-0 victory over Babson in the driving wind and rain before host and 11th-ranked Wesleyan squeaked by on penalty kicks (5-4) after the teams battled to the 1-1 double overtime tie.
Several top players graduated, including goalie
Kyle Bak (Cumberland, RI), defender
Marco Gomes (Ludlow, MA), and forward
Jason Sabia (Poughkeepsie, NY) who led the team with 21 points (7 goals, 7 assists). Bak posted a 15-4-4 record and compiled 12 of the team’s school-record 16 shutouts. He also was an All-New England selection.
This year’s squad has several outstanding players, led by senior midfielder
Alex Dos Santos (Ludlow, MA) who earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-American honors last year. He ranks among the top two-way midfielders and play-makers in the nation.
Dos Santo will serve as a team captain along with hometown friend and fellow senior midfielder
Justin Martins (Ludlow, MA) who was second in scoring a year ago with 18 points (team-high 8 goals, 2 assists). Martin was both an All-TCCC and All-New England honoree.
Versatile junior midfielder
Corey Howard (Hopedale, NY) gets the nod as the third captain.
While senior
Kienan Garn (Lake Huntington, NY) recovers from injury, classmate
John Parsons (4 goals in 2009) and junior
John Rusin (Chicopee, MA) will be looked upon to make significant contributions at forward positions.
A host of other returnees and a talented group of incoming freshmen will vie for playing time on the Golden Bears’ front line.
The midfield unit also features juniors
Shawn Fitzpatrick (Burnt Hills, NY) (11 points, All-TCCC selection in 2009),
Eric Marcelino (Farmington, CT), and
Mark Deganis (Cheshire, CT). Sophomore
Shawn DaCruz (Ludlow, MA) will be counted on for major contributions after a stellar freshmen season.
Sullivan expects a big battle for the critical keeper position following the departure of Bak and
Dan Ruscigno (Wappingers Falls, NY) who provided solid backup support last year. Junior
Sean Healey (Portland, CT), sophomore
Nick Starr (Somers, CT), and freshman
Domenick Villano (Bronxville, NY) are the top candidates heading into pre-season drills.
“Over the past several years, we’ve benefited from healthy competition and tremendous depth at the goalkeeper position,” said Sullivan who was the 2009 TCCC Coach-of-the-Year. “We are confident that this corps of goalkeepers will rise to the occasion and provide consistent leadership.”
A relatively inexperienced, but highly competitive group will handle the defensive duties. Senior
John Stather (Foxboro, MA) and sophomores
Ryan Dolan (Madison, CT),
Garrett Festa (Cheshire, CT), and
Bobby Jameson (Northbridge, MA) will be counted on for composure and experience in the back.
Expectations are high for one of the more talented incoming freshmen classes in recent years.
All New England striker
Jake Bartnik (East Longmeadow, MA) will join
Andrew Rose (Farmington, CT) in bolstering the team’s offense. Midfielders
Kevin Parma (Peconic, NY) and
Alex Mazzella (Cheshire, CT) are expected to make immediate contributions and bring energy to the team’s midfield unit.
Standout defenders
Alex Covino (Bristol, CT),
Todd Bertrand (Suffield, CT), and
Ryan Williams (Brewster, NY) are promising college performers.
“We are eager to get started and optimistic about this team’s potential. Despite some obvious challenges in the back, we believe we have a talented team capable of strong possession play, dangerous attacking threats, and a high defensive work-rate,” said Sullivan who begins 11th year as coach.
“Playing our first four games on the road against quality opponents should provide us the type of tests necessary to fine tune our team for conference play. We will need to continue the strong traditions of team chemistry, leadership, and work ethic that have become the hallmarks of our program,” he stated.
Western New England College opens its 45th season on Wednesday, September 1, with a night contest at Westfield State. The Golden Bears then travel to the Garden State to meet host Ramapo on Saturday, September 4, and Medgar Evers (N.Y.) in the Presidents’ Cup Tournament in Ramapo, New Jersey. WNEC visits Wheaton on September 8 before making its home debut against TCCC opponent New England College on September 11.
Coaching Staff News
Maples Joins Staff: Former NSCAA Division III All-American Jim Maples (Pleasant Valley, NY) joins the coaching staff as an assistant coach this season after serving as a student assistant in 2009. Maples was a dominant defender for the Golden Bears from 2005-2008, leading WNEC to four consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament appearances, including back-to-back trips his freshman and sophomore seasons. Maples joins returning assistant coaches Eric Lusignan, Tim Larocca, and Steve Croft in what Coach Sullivan refers to as “the deepest and most talented coaching staff we have ever had.” Maples will be attending graduate school at Westfield State University.
Larocca Grade A: Assistant Coach Tim Larocca (East Longmeadow, MA) obtained his United States Soccer Federation “A” license this past summer. The license is the highest coaching credential available from the USSF and enhances Larocca’s already outstanding coaching qualifications.