Lehigh University Athletics
Lehigh seeks third NCAA berth in four years
9/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
After appearing as high as No. 14 in the national rankings, picking up Lehigh’s first ever at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament, and setting numerous school records, the Mountain Hawks are poised for another successful run in 2003. Gone, however, are the familiar faces of top scorers Evan Bruno and Dan Perciballi, as well as goalkeeper Ryan Grzeszczak who set a number of school records during his career.
"We’re not looking to replace our seniors," head coach Dean Koski said. "But we don’t feel our talent level has dropped or leadership potential has diminished either. Our seniors are more than capable of stepping into leadership roles, and our underclassmen, transfers and incoming class provide us with significant depth."
The seniors Koski mentions are the trio of Wes Roach, Doug Cusick and Steve Fisher. While Roach and Cusick serve as the team captains, all three will be looked to for leadership. "Wes and Doug have been starting for us since day one," Koski reflects. "Steve Fisher will be our most seasoned forward and with two years of playing along side of Bruno, we feel that Fisher is capable of being one of the best forwards in the conference"
High school teammates Roach and Cusick provide Lehigh with perhaps the best duo of centerbacks in the Patriot League. Roach has been the anchor in some of the stingiest defenses in school history, while Cusick earned second team All-Patriot League honors last season after converting from the forward position, where he also earned all-league distinction. Sophomore Keith Ritchings looks to improve upon a superb freshman campaign in which he started every contest. Sophomores Jim Stevens and Nate Wiita will also look to contribute in the backfield, as will junior Elliot Leonard who returns after an injury plagued sophomore season. Leonard and Stevens each started three games in 2002 and have great potential as starters. Leonard was held to just eight games due to injuries after a highly successful freshman campaign, while Stevens is coming off a strong spring campaign. Wiita will look to expand his role after missing the entire season with a dislocated shoulder. "I like the potential we have in finding four backs to anchor us defensively," Koski explains. "With the addition of our incoming freshman backs, Joe Verdi, John O’Reilly and Sean Allen, we have added quality depth to our defensive core."
The midfield should be strong, even with the loss of four-time all-league selection and captain Dan Perciballi. Juniors Ben Gucciardi, Kyle Hartman, Brandon Smith, and Dustin Monahan will offer our midfield both strong defensive and attacking lineups. Sophomores Adam Williamson, Jose Larin, Kevin Deger and Jim Lawler also return for the Brown & White. Gucciardi had a huge sophomore season, as did Williamson, who was one of the league’s top rookies. Smith and Hartman will bring the most experience to the midfield, both starting at least 30 times during their first two seasons. Williamson contributed significantly to the midfield last season and his role will expand in 2003. Add incoming sophomore transfers Kyle Hanson (George Mason), and Rick Kukwa (Manhattanville) and Lehigh’s experience and depth in the midfield could be best the program has seen in years. Freshmen Daigo Satoh and Matt Franz are both capable of seeing playing time as first year players.
"This is the area where we have the most depth and talent," Koski remarked. "Having this many quality players competing for starting positions as well as playing time is a luxury that we are very excited about as a coaching staff. It will provide us with some opportunities to explore different formations in the midfield"
The offense will look for a team effort as it attempts to replace former All-American Evan Bruno, one of the most prolific scorers in both school and league history. Fisher, in his third year at Lehigh after playing his freshman season at Lebanon Valley, will lead the offense. Fisher has established himself as a goal scorer with ten goals for the Mountain Hawks the past two seasons, including six game winners. Sophomore Peter Classi started a pair of contests in his first year and logged over 600 minutes coming off the bench. Classi is expected to complement Fisher and assume a substantial role as a goal scorer. With the addition of high school All-American Maciek Serafin, the Mountain Hawks will have at least three formidable forwards.
After spending two years under the tutelage of Grzeszczak, junior Sam Bishop will step into a starting role in net. "Sam is more than prepared to be our starting goalkeeper after working as a back-up his first two years," Koski said. Sophomore Jim Morahan will back up Bishop in goal after gaining valuable playing experience this past spring.
Koski feels the team has a great balance of players that represent a dynamic mixture of talent, leadership, work ethic and unity. "We have our work cut out for us, but we return a team with strong leadership, playing experience and tremendous depth. Potentially, we could have 17 players competing for starting positions. I can’t recall any of my previous teams with that kind of depth."
The Mountain Hawks will be aided by their depth as they fight for their third NCAA appearance in four years and a Patriot League Championship. Lehigh once again faces a daunting schedule, facing two schools that finished in the top-25, and eight regionally ranked foes.
"We’re not looking to replace our seniors," head coach Dean Koski said. "But we don’t feel our talent level has dropped or leadership potential has diminished either. Our seniors are more than capable of stepping into leadership roles, and our underclassmen, transfers and incoming class provide us with significant depth."
The seniors Koski mentions are the trio of Wes Roach, Doug Cusick and Steve Fisher. While Roach and Cusick serve as the team captains, all three will be looked to for leadership. "Wes and Doug have been starting for us since day one," Koski reflects. "Steve Fisher will be our most seasoned forward and with two years of playing along side of Bruno, we feel that Fisher is capable of being one of the best forwards in the conference"
High school teammates Roach and Cusick provide Lehigh with perhaps the best duo of centerbacks in the Patriot League. Roach has been the anchor in some of the stingiest defenses in school history, while Cusick earned second team All-Patriot League honors last season after converting from the forward position, where he also earned all-league distinction. Sophomore Keith Ritchings looks to improve upon a superb freshman campaign in which he started every contest. Sophomores Jim Stevens and Nate Wiita will also look to contribute in the backfield, as will junior Elliot Leonard who returns after an injury plagued sophomore season. Leonard and Stevens each started three games in 2002 and have great potential as starters. Leonard was held to just eight games due to injuries after a highly successful freshman campaign, while Stevens is coming off a strong spring campaign. Wiita will look to expand his role after missing the entire season with a dislocated shoulder. "I like the potential we have in finding four backs to anchor us defensively," Koski explains. "With the addition of our incoming freshman backs, Joe Verdi, John O’Reilly and Sean Allen, we have added quality depth to our defensive core."
The midfield should be strong, even with the loss of four-time all-league selection and captain Dan Perciballi. Juniors Ben Gucciardi, Kyle Hartman, Brandon Smith, and Dustin Monahan will offer our midfield both strong defensive and attacking lineups. Sophomores Adam Williamson, Jose Larin, Kevin Deger and Jim Lawler also return for the Brown & White. Gucciardi had a huge sophomore season, as did Williamson, who was one of the league’s top rookies. Smith and Hartman will bring the most experience to the midfield, both starting at least 30 times during their first two seasons. Williamson contributed significantly to the midfield last season and his role will expand in 2003. Add incoming sophomore transfers Kyle Hanson (George Mason), and Rick Kukwa (Manhattanville) and Lehigh’s experience and depth in the midfield could be best the program has seen in years. Freshmen Daigo Satoh and Matt Franz are both capable of seeing playing time as first year players.
"This is the area where we have the most depth and talent," Koski remarked. "Having this many quality players competing for starting positions as well as playing time is a luxury that we are very excited about as a coaching staff. It will provide us with some opportunities to explore different formations in the midfield"
The offense will look for a team effort as it attempts to replace former All-American Evan Bruno, one of the most prolific scorers in both school and league history. Fisher, in his third year at Lehigh after playing his freshman season at Lebanon Valley, will lead the offense. Fisher has established himself as a goal scorer with ten goals for the Mountain Hawks the past two seasons, including six game winners. Sophomore Peter Classi started a pair of contests in his first year and logged over 600 minutes coming off the bench. Classi is expected to complement Fisher and assume a substantial role as a goal scorer. With the addition of high school All-American Maciek Serafin, the Mountain Hawks will have at least three formidable forwards.
After spending two years under the tutelage of Grzeszczak, junior Sam Bishop will step into a starting role in net. "Sam is more than prepared to be our starting goalkeeper after working as a back-up his first two years," Koski said. Sophomore Jim Morahan will back up Bishop in goal after gaining valuable playing experience this past spring.
Koski feels the team has a great balance of players that represent a dynamic mixture of talent, leadership, work ethic and unity. "We have our work cut out for us, but we return a team with strong leadership, playing experience and tremendous depth. Potentially, we could have 17 players competing for starting positions. I can’t recall any of my previous teams with that kind of depth."
The Mountain Hawks will be aided by their depth as they fight for their third NCAA appearance in four years and a Patriot League Championship. Lehigh once again faces a daunting schedule, facing two schools that finished in the top-25, and eight regionally ranked foes.
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