2006 Men's Soccer Season Preview

2006 Media Guide

The 2006 Orange return 85 percent of its offense and seven of its eight goal scorers from a 2005 club that earned its first BIG EAST Championship berth in five seasons. Their talents, as well as several returning members of a stingy defense that posted the fifth-best team goals against average (0.89) in school history, will be the driving force behind SU’s 2006 run at the BIG EAST title.

Overall, Syracuse returns eight starters and 12 letterwinners from last season. Head coach Dean Foti, now in his 16th season, also brought in 13 newcomers, which will create healthy competition for playing time and give Foti the luxury of using several different lineups.

“This year, more so than any year that I’ve been here, we’ll have more depth,” said Foti. “With the numbers we have the training sessions are going to be more competitive, which in turn will make us sharper. No player can afford a couple of poor practices. Doing so could cost him his spot in the lineup.”

THE FORWARDS

Sophomore Pete Rowley is the leader of a young group of talented offensive players. The Reading, Pa. native led the Orange in points (13), goals (6) and tied for the team lead with two game-winning goals in 2005. Joining Rowley up front is sophomore Spencer Schomaker. Schomaker had a solid rookie campaign, tallying two goals and two assists last year. He demonstrated a consistent ability to finish scoring opportunities, including netting the golden goal versus Cornell.

The remainder of SU’s offensive unit is made up of newcomers. The Orange added Tom Perevegyencev in January. SU also brought in freshmen Scott Campbell and Erik Kreider, who were consistent scholastic scorers. Rookies Elliott Townsend and Jake Young, along with transfer Kyle Hall, will also challenge for playing time.

“We’ve got a lot players we can use,” said Foti of the forwards. “The challenge is to see who plays well with whom and which combinations can perform at a high level consistently.”

THE MIDFIELD

The Orange midfield is made up of a blend of veterans and newcomers. Junior Isaac Collings is the team’s most dynamic playmaker, using his speed to create scoring chances. He led the Orange with five assists in 2005 and ranked second on the club with seven points. Senior co-captain Richard Asante is SU’s most experienced player with 47 collegiate matches under his belt. Asante netted a personal-best two goals last season, while serving as a steady defensive presence.

“We want Rich to take charge of the midfield,” said Foti. “We’re looking for him to be a leader game-in and game-out and consistently perform at a high level. Isaac has grown as a player, but we want him to take on more responsibility as a scorer.”

Another player Foti believes will raise his game is junior James Goodwin. Goodwin has played in all 36 games the last two years and tallied his first career goal last season, netting the game-winner against USF.

“James has always been solid, but he’s another guy we’re looking for to step up and take on more of a leadership role this year,” said Foti.

Sophomores Eric Kleiman and Jimmy Linus are back for their second SU campaigns and will also be key contributors. Kleiman appeared in 12 games last season and Linus competed in 18 matches. Both players found the scoring column in 2005 with Linus registering his first career point with an assist on Kleiman’s first collegiate goal.

“Eric improved by leaps and bounds,” said Foti. “He’s getting better at reading the game and combining with other players. He’s a guy we can also use up front. Jimmy had a good spring and is going to be right there fighting for time with everyone else.”

Also competing for playing time in the midfield are returning sophomores Mauricio Laniado and Anton Nicholls.

“For Mauricio and Anton the preseason is a great opportunity to earn a spot,” said Foti. “They’ve improved and will try to emerge from a talented pool of midfield players.”

Freshman Hansen Woodruff, Florida’s 2006 Player of the Year, netted 86 goals in his scholastic career and tallied 52 assists. Along with Woodruff, freshmen Felipe Godard, Luis Martinez and Geoff Lytle are also in the mix.

“Hansen is an athletic, tough kid. We’re hoping he will be an attacking player for us,” said Foti. Geoff is a really good possession player, keeping the ball moving and bringing a lot of energy to the game. Luis is a very technical player. He started with us in January and we hope he can add some spark to the attack from the midfield. Felipe is another guy that could play his way into the picture during preseason.”

THE DEFENSE

Once again, SU’s back line will be anchored by junior Brad Peetoom. Peetoom earned the team’s Defensive MVP Award for the second straight year in 2005 and spent a portion of the offseason working out at a Canadian minicamp for 2008 Olympic hopefuls. He also became a factor on the offensive end of the field, serving as one of SU’s primary targets on set pieces. Also back in the defensive fold is junior Edvin Hot and senior Andrew Hawtin. Hawtin started every game for the Orange in 2005 and notched his first career point with an assist. Hot appeared in every game last year and made two starts.

“Brad and Andrew were both solid starters last year,” Foti said. “I expect them to be on top of their game again this year. Edvin started some games in the back last year and will be vying for a starting spot in preseason.”

SU’s defensive unit will be bolstered by the return of junior Aaron Bonser. Bonser missed all of 2005 with a leg injury, but played in 31 matches in 2003 and 2004.

“Aaron was a starter for us when he was healthy, so he is going to be looking to get back in there,” said Foti. “He brings versatility, experience and athleticism to the back four.”

Junior Tyler Stoviak will also compete for playing time in the back, along with sophomore Ryan Teager and freshmen Ryan McCormick and Pete Hill. Freshman Daniel Sherry had offseason surgery on his knee, but will figure in the defensive mix when he returns.

“Tyler and Ryan Teager have really improved in the last couple of years,” said Foti. “They are very competitive players and will try to work themselves into the mix. Ryan (McCormick) and Pete can play anywhere in the back and Daniel is a very versatile player as well, so when he comes back that group gives us a lot of options.”

THE GOALKEEPERS

Sophomore Robert Cavicchia returns for his second season as the starting keeper after a sensational rookie campaign. Cavicchia started all 19 matches as a freshman in 2005 and ranked fifth on SU’s season goals against average list with a 0.86 GAA. He tied for fifth in the BIG EAST in saves per game (4.0), shutouts (6) and began his career with a shutout streak of more than 413 minutes, the longest such stretch for an SU keeper in 19 years. The other goalkeepers on SU’s roster are freshman Andrew Usyk and transfer Robert Smith. Usyk hasn’t seen any collegiate action, but showed improvement during the offseason and will add depth to the position.

“We’re very high on Robert (Cavicchia),” said Foti. “Hopefully he will be fit and injury free. He’s the incumbent. Robert and Andrew will be chasing him.”

THE SCHEDULE

SU’s 2006 slate will once again prove to be challenging. The Orange’s 16 foes combined for 152 wins in 2005 and six of its opponents advanced to last year’s NCAA Men’s College Cup. Syracuse will open the year at home against Niagara on August 25. The Orange also entertains Albany, Binghamton and Hartwick in non-conference home matches. SU’s lone non-league road game will come on Sept. 1 when the Orange competes at Loyola (Md.).

The BIG EAST will keep the same divisional alignment as it had a year ago with the 16 members separated into two eight-team divisions. Once again, the Orange will compete in the Red Division.

SU’s league slate kicks off on Sept. 8 with an inter-division road match versus Georgetown. The Orange will also play Blue Division foe Seton Hall away from the SU Soccer Stadium. SU’s remaining road contests will come against intra-division opponents Cincinnati, St. John’s, Villanova and USF.

Its home BIG EAST schedule begins on Sept. 15 with a match against inter-division rival Providence. SU will also take on Connecticut in an out-of-division match. The balance of the Orange’s home conference slate is made up of divisional foes Louisville, Rutgers and DePaul.

The 2006 conference championship will feature the top 12 teams in the league with the top six in each division earning berths in the tournament. The top two teams in each division will receive byes into the quarterfinal round. This year’s two semifinals and the championship match will be played in Piscataway, N.J. from Nov. 3-5.

“We’re fortunate to play in a really strong conference,” said Foti. “The BIG EAST sent seven teams to the Men’s College Cup, so our schedule prepares us for NCAA Tournament-level competition.”

Syracuse University Athletics

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