Stevens Favored Atop the Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Poll
ROCHESTER, NY -- The 2011 Empire 8 men’s soccer season was competitive throughout the season and down to the final minutes of the playoffs. One semifinal was determined in the sixth round of penalty kicks and a late goal with three minutes remaining determined the conference champion.
Though it may be unreasonable to expect a similarly exhilarating campaign in 2012, with 20 All-Conference selections back and a new member in the league, it’s possible the conference could be even more competitive from top to bottom. Defending champion Stevens Institute of Technology looks loaded again with three All-Conference First Team selections back to try for another title. And expectations are high for the nationally ranked No. 7 Ducks, but the rest of the field certainly won’t be far behind as they engage in a two month battle for the Empire 8 title.
Ready to repeat?
With all its returning talent and its 6-0 conference record a year ago as supporting evidence, the league coaches tabbed Stevens (18-3-1 overall) as the favorite in the 2012 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll. The Ducks received six first-place votes and 48 points to claim the top spot, and a sixth straight title is a real possibility for head coach Devin Rensing’s team.
Three points separate the second, third and fourth ranked teams with Nazareth College tallying 35 points. After taking Stevens to the final minutes of the Championship game, Elmira was predicted to finish third with 33 points, and as evidence to the conference’s competitiveness, Ithaca is in the fourth spot with 32 points. It appears those four teams will again be the top contenders for a playoff berth.
Utica College came in fifth with 24 points, just ahead of newcomer Houghton College who received 21 points. Completing the poll was Alfred University and St. John Fisher College.
Who’s Back?
Though some of the conference’s teams will have to replace some scoring, veteran savvy and leadership due to graduation, there is a ton of talent back this year in the form of six all-conference first-team selections, seven second-team honorees and seven honorable mention picks.
Headlining the list is the reigning Empire 8 Player of the Year, Stevens’ Zach Adler. Last year, Adler had nine goals and 11 assists while directing the Duck’s offense en route to their conference title and NCAA Final Four appearance. He’ll once again team with Victor Daza (9g, 1a) and Stephen Dunbar (8g, 3a) – two first team forwards. Honorable mention pick Curtis Stecyk (4g, 2a) will add depth to the midfield with Adler. Goalkeeper Paul Killian, a second teamer, is back to direct the back line. Killian recorded a 0.75 goals against average and .779 save percentage in 2011. Looking to aid Killian in the back is honorable mention defender Leonardo Casas.
The strength of Nazareth’s (10-6-1, 4-2 Empire 8) squad begins with returning the top four scorers. First team midfielder James Wheeler and second team forward Ryan Foley return after registering five goals and six assists each. Second teamer Simon Mounsdon (3g, 4a) and Luke Elston (7g, 1a) will depth to the offense.
Midfielder Andre Germano, the 2011 Rookie of the Year, returns to the Elmira (12-3-2, 3-2-1) roster after leading the team with 22 points (9g, 4a). Matthew Feldman, an honorable mention selection, registered five goals and one assist. On the defensive end, the Soaring Eagle’s defense must look to replace a first team goalkeeper.
Ithaca (4-10-1, 3-3) is looking to make its third straight postseason appearance. The Bombers welcome back leading scorer and honorable mention forward Tim Goldman, who finished the 2011 campaign with seven points on three goals and one assist. An honorable mention pick, Ryan Norland (1g) returns to lead the midfield.
Utica (11-7, 2-4) returns two first-team forwards. Kevin McAllister ranked fourth in the league scoring with 21 points on eight goals and five assists, while Jon Peterson tallied 16 points on five goals and six assists.
Alfred (7-8-2, 1-5) has several key components returning for the 2012 season including a trio of top scorers. Forward Frankie Mannino was the league’s leading goal scorer (12) and added three assists playing alongside fellow second team selection Jeff Thomas (7g, 4a). Tony Gai (4g, 3a) supported Mannino and Thomas from the midfield while Connor Petrauskas (1g) returns to assist in improving the Saxon’s backline.
St. John Fisher College (3-10-3, 1-4-1) is looking to make strides towards an Empire 8 postseason berth. Although the Cardinals only tallied 11 goals in 2011, returning point maker Garhett Varin had six points (2g, 2a). Austin Buckley, who had a team second-best four points (1g, 2a), is also back. Kyle Metcalfe returns between the pipes after making 75 saves and recording three shutouts.
What’s New?
The 2012 season marks the inclusion of Houghton College as a competing Empire 8 program. The Highlanders are not eligible for post-season play but will complete a full league schedule. Houghton (5-12-4 overall) returns its top two scorers from a year ago Cory Martin and Michael Dix. Martin finished the season with 18 points (7g, 4a) and Dix totaled 15 points (6g, 3a).
Dates to remember
Empire 8 men’s soccer fans don’t have long to wait to see their favorite teams in action. The 2012 season officially begins on Friday, August 31 with six of the eight schools taking the field for nonconference contests.
Conference play begins Saturday, Sept. 15, and this year's playoff schedule features two semifinal matches on Friday, Nov. 2, and the championship on Sunday, Nov. 4 with the high seed hosting each contest.
Follow Online
If you can’t make it out to the game be sure to check if Live Stats are available or better yet the game may be web streamed courtesy of EzStream. Be sure to check out the schedule of streamed events by visiting
empire8.tv.
A closer look
For more information, visit any of the participating schools' websites or go to the Empire 8 home on the Internet at
www.empire8.com. Don't forget to become a fan of the Empire 8 on
Facebook and follow
@Empire8 on Twitter.
2012 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Preseason Coaches Poll
|
1. Stevens Institute of Technology (6 first place votes) |
48 pts |
|
2. Nazareth College |
35 |
|
3. Elmira College |
33 |
|
4. Ithaca College |
32 |
|
5. Utica College |
24 |
|
6. Houghton (1) |
21 |
|
7. Alfred University |
16 |
|
8. St. John Fisher College |
15 |