Lehigh University Athletics
Men's soccer to host Stanford in '09 opener
8/31/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The Mountain Hawks kick off the 2009 men’s soccer season with a non-conference matchup against the Stanford Cardinal at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Ulrich Sports Complex. With the preseason now in the books head coach Dean Koski is pleased at how the team looks heading into its first match.
“I feel like we met our preseason objectives,” Koski said. “We made sure we established our defensive system, built good team chemistry, and developed good leadership.”
For the Mountain Hawks this will not only mark the first time they have ever played Stanford, but it also is the first time they have done battle with a Pac-10 team. Last season, Stanford finished with a 4-11-3 record and finished sixth in the Pac-10 Conference. The Cardinal returns leading scorer, junior Bobby Warshaw who was named to the 2009 Hermann Trophy Watch List and senior keeper John Moore who started 17 games last season.
Koski is entering his 18th season as head coach of the Mountain Hawks and is returning 8 of 11 starters from 2008. Here is how Lehigh stacks up heading into the season.
Forwards
Lehigh will have to do most of its retooling at forward this season, needing to replace Pat Cucci and Jim Taranto up front. Sophomore Neal Melchionni started all 17 games for the Brown and White as a midfielder in 2008, scoring one goal and adding two assists from the left wing. He is expected to contribute significantly this year.
Returning forwards Zach Gould, Joe Puleo, Ayo Olasupo and Alex Weisberger will all be competing for playing time and the competition for starting positions should be intense. Add to this mix incoming freshman Austin Decker from Iowa City, Iowa and Lehigh will have a tremendous pool of forwards.
Midfielders
In the midfield, Lehigh brings back nearly every key player from 2008. Adam Gazda returns for his fifth year with the Mountain Hawks after losing his 2007 season due to a foot injury. The midfielder put up gaudy numbers in his senior season, scoring a team-high six goals, including two game-winning strikes. He also registered three assists and earned recognition as Second Team All-Mid Atlantic Region and First Team All-Patriot League.
The Mountain Hawks also bring back Jesse Schram for his senior season. Schram scored one goal in 2008, but was one of just five Lehigh players to start all 17 games, making a difference on both ends of the field. Schram earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors as a sophomore in 2007.
Junior Matt Thaeder and sophomore Steve Avena will battle for a wide midfield spot along with walk-on Mark Whitmeyer. Newcomers Cam Omsberg and Will Addis will provide some depth in the flank midfield positions as well. Lehigh should have some answers in the defensive midfield with Dan Odenwelder, who started eight games a year ago, and newcomer Rob Nowlan who will see some time in a defensive role this fall as well.
Defense
Two All-Patriot League defenders return to the Lehigh back line in 2009. James Graf and Adam Welch earned Second Team honors for a defense that allowed 23 goals in 2008. Graf started in 15 games last season at center back and was named defensive player of the week once. Welch started all 17 games for the Mountain Hawks at center back, scoring one goal and helping to form a wall with Graf in the center of the line.
Jordie Ciuffetelli split time starting on the outside of the defensive line in 2008, earning 15 starts, and becoming a mainstay of the lineup by season’s end. Sophomores Kevin Strunk and Matt Kosik are both ready to step into starting roles after a strong spring season and both are expected to see substantial playing time. Returnee C.J. Rabey will compete with Ciuffetelli for minutes as a wide back and incoming freshman Matt Weaver could be added to the mix.
Goalies
Jonathan Nydell returns to the net for his junior season after an encouraging 2008 campaign as the Lehigh keeper. Nydell came into the season splitting time with Christopher Varga, but after an injury sidelined the junior keeper, Nydell stepped in starting 15 games for the Mountain Hawks, allowing 1.23 goals per game. The sophomore made 57 saves on the season and earned all seven of the team’s wins with four shutouts.
Varga comes back from his injury this year and will challenge Nydell for the starting spot, providing the depth the Mountain Hawks searched for through much of the season. Varga played in three games in 2008, starting two, and made three saves while allowing four goals.
Two freshman keepers, Jordan Maman and Taylor Sulmonetti will also come into the fold and battle for playing time in 2008. They join a potent freshman class that includes Decker up front, Nowlan on defense and Omsberg, Addis and Weaver in the midfield. Thanks to Lehigh’s experience at the starting 11 this season, Koski was able to bring in a class that provided depth across the board.
Lehigh and Stanford get things underway at 7:00 p.m. from the Ulrich Sports Complex on Tuesday evening. Tune into Lehighsports.com for complete video and audio coverage of the game with Steve Lomangino providing the commentary.
