Men's Soccer | 3/10/2021 1:04:00 PM
Nazareth College will look to defend its league title, as the 2021 Empire 8 Spring Men’s Soccer season gets underway with conference play on March 13. The Empire 8 postseason tournament format has changed for spring 2021, with all six competing teams advancing to the Empire 8 Championship Tournament, which will take place from April 14-18, with the higher seed hosting each game.
Fans can watch the action all season long, free of charge on
Empire 8 TV.
Team Capsules (sorted by 2019 Standings)
Nazareth
Nazareth went unbeaten in league play and won its first Empire 8 Championship since 2006 during an incredible 2019 season. The Golden Flyers finished 14-3-3 and rattled off a 13-game unbeaten streak, while out-scoring opponents 49-15. The Golden Flyers return three All-Empire 8 first team selections, including 2019 Player of the Year Jake Adams. Adams scored 11 goals and 25 points in 2019. Five of his 11 goals were game-winning tallies. Junior Sam Smyth was a 2019 All-E8 first team selection and is joined by senior defender and fellow first team pick Justin Pumputis. Junior midfielder Zein Mohamed will also be counted on to play a major role for the Golden Flyers.
Sage
The Gators advanced to the Empire 8 semifinal in 2019 and will look for their first league title in 2021. Head coach Matt Esposito has a strong group of returners to go along with 10 talented newcomers. Junior midfielder Christian Vaalstuen, a 2019 All-Empire 8 second team selection, will patrol the midfield along with classmate Griffin Goodemote, who was an All-Empire 8 honorable mention pick. Senior forward Jeaneste Pierre is a proven goal scorer and will be counted on to lead the offense in 2021.
Alfred
The Saxons advanced to the Empire 8 Championship game in 2019 and return several standouts from that squad, including 2019 Empire 8 Rookie of the Year and first team selection Justin Eaton. Eaton led all Empire 8 players in 2019 with 13 goals and 27 points. Classmate Saif Alseyofi added four goals and was an All-Empire 8 second team pick. Junior defender Mason Sanborn, a two-time All-Empire 8 honorable mention pick, will lead the defensive unit and serve as a team captain along with Eaton and senior Scott Larsen.
Utica
The Pioneers will count on plenty of new faces in 2021 but return a pair of 2019 All-Empire 8 second team selections in Senior midfielder/defender Patrick Hynes and fourth-year goalkeeper Randy Miksch. Hynes tallied six points in 2019, while Miksch tallied an 8-2-2 record, 1.18 goals against average and an .817 save percentage. Junior Jahren James tallied eight points in 2019 and will be expected to play an even greater role in 2021.
St. John Fisher
St. John Fisher is set to make strides in 2021, as first-year head coach Jack Burgasser has several talented newcomers on board in addition to plenty of returning veterans. The Cardinals were in contention for an E8 postseason berth until the final day of the regular season. Junior midfielder Justin Bonetto returns after earning All-Empire 8 second team honors in 2019. Classmate Brennan Brown, an All-Empire 8 honorable mention pick, led the team in scoring a season ago.
Houghton
Houghton will look to make a run in the Empire 8 Tournament, as nine seniors return, including 2019 All-Empire 8 honorable mention selection Julius Klohr. Classmate Caleb Loew is an experienced goalkeeper who recorded five shutouts in 2019. Seniors Kenneth Estep and Elijah Steffan will be counted on to provide leadership and strong play.
^ Elmira, Hartwick and Keuka have opted out of Empire 8 play for the 2021 Spring season.
Final 2019 Empire 8 Men’s Soccer Standings
Nazareth (14-3-3, 5-0-1 Empire 8) – League Champions *
Sage (9-9-0, 3-3-0 E8)
Alfred (8-12-0, 3-3-0 E8)
Elmira (9-7-3, 2-2-2 E8)
Utica (10-6-2, 2-3-1 E8)
St. John Fisher (3-9-3, 1-2-3 E8)
Houghton (5-7-5, 0-3-3 E8)
* Hartwick (3-13-0)
* Hartwick played a full Empire 8 schedule but was ineligible for postseason play in 2019 as they transition to Division III. They will be fully eligible in 2021.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
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