One Key Goal For Men's Soccer In 2008
ONE IS THE KEY FOR MEN'S SOCCER IN 2008
CHICOPEE, MA, Sept. 2, 2008 - One is the loneliest number.
And in the case of Elms College's men's soccer team last year, it was also the most frustrating.
Although the Blazers went 5-10-2 in 2007, seven of those losses were by one goal, including four 1-0 decisions.
The mix of key returners and seven newcomers have impressed 11th-year head coach John Amaral during preseason.
"Our team unity and chemistry has been great," Coach Amaral said. "We have a nice mix of true soccer players that have been demanding more of themselves and each other in practices."
FORWARDS/MIDFIELDERS
Finding the right combination to provide some much-needed offensive spark may take a little time initially, but Coach Amaral is encouraged he has the players needed to fill that void.
The Blazers, who scored 16 goals in 17 matches last season, return junior forward Brian Murca (Chicopee, MA) and junior midfielder Ben Masse (Chicopee, MA), who combined for 5 goals and 11 points in 2007.
"Ben will provide us offense from the midfield and we're going to have Brian start the season up front for us," Coach Amaral explained.
Freshman midfielder Alex Rosario (Chicopee, MA) was recruited as an outside midfielder and is expected to provide a solid offensive threat.
Juniors Damien Robinson (Chicopee, MA) and Sam Senecal (Chicopee, MA), and sophomores Justin Pearson (Torrington, CT) and Courtney Johnson (Belchertown, MA) all return to give the Blazers depth and experience in the midfield.
"Our defenders and midfielders are solid and that will buy us time to work on our offense," Coach Amaral said. "We have a lot of freshmen who will impact the future of this program, but for now, we need time to help them adjust to the college game."
DEFENDERS
The back is where it's at for the Blazers, who return two key starters from a defense which yielded just 13 goals over the team's final 14 matches last season.
Junior Nick Bamford (Ludlow, MA) has proven he can provide the long-ball in his first two seasons, while sophomore Chris Silva (Chicopee, MA) quickly developed into an outstanding sweeper as a freshman late last year.
The loss of Bamford, who missed eight games last year due to illness, forced Coach Amaral to move Silva to sweeper.
The move produced immediate dividends, as the team registered five shutouts over the last 11 games of 2007.
Junior Justin Oliveira (Ludlow, MA) also returns in the back after starting in each of his first two seasons.
GOALKEEPERS
The biggest question for the Blazers lies between the pipes, as freshmen goalkeepers Ryan Sullivan (Agawam, MA) and Bill Dziura (Chicopee, MA) will vie for starting duties in 2008.
Although neither has collegiate experience, both possess height and athleticism (Sullivan is 6-2, Dziura is 6-0) - something not overlooked by Coach Amaral.
"We've been working closely with our goalkeepers and I think in time both will develop just fine," Coach Amaral said.
SCHEDULE
With Elms College joining the newly-formed NECC this season, Coach Amaral knows the playing ground will be leveled for his team, although there will be some uncertainty in this inaugural season.
"I think this first year will be a learning experience for all of us," he said.
Elms College will face Becker, Daniel Webster, Mitchell, Newbury, Lesley and Southern Vermont once each in NECC games this season.
The Blazers will once again step up their non-conference slate, as the team plays arguably its toughest schedule in the program's 11-year history.
Among those games includes a home contest against Springfield (9-8-2) on September 13 and October contests at Salem State (12-7-1, MASCAC Tournament runner-up) and Amherst (15-2-1), which advanced to the "Sweet 16" of last year's NCAA Division III Championship.
"This is the best schedule we've had in my time here," Coach Amaral said. "It's more spaced out overall and having games against Amherst, Salem State and Amherst provide us a great opportunity to challenge ourselves."
WRAP-UP
With the return of several key midfielders and defenders, the Blazers should be solid defensively. The team, however, will need newcomers to step up and overcome the lack of offensive firepower.
"The staff and I have talked and we want don't want to put too much pressure on the younger players," Coach Amaral explained. "The most important thing for us is to see our team progress on a daily basis and qualify for the conference tournament."