Squad Welcomes 15 Student-Athletes to the Fold.
SAINT LEO, Fla. – Head Coach Joel Harrison looks to turn the page on the 2009 edition of the Saint Leo soccer program, in attempts to regain the winning touch from years past. The Lions are coming off an unusual 2009 campaign which saw Saint Leo collect six wins and drop an equal amount of games by one goal. The season also marked the first time in Harrison’s tenure that one of his teams had not recorded at least nine wins in a season.
The Lions concluded 2009 with a 6-9 overall mark, while finishing eighth in the Sunshine State Conference with a 2-6 record. If you go by stats, however, the Lions record should have been far better. The team outscored their opponents 30-to-25, while their goal keeper’s combined for 1.67 goals-against-average. Unfortunately, inopportune goals put Saint Leo on the wrong end of many close decisions. When talking about 2009 season, Harrison describes it in one word, ‘frustrating’. Still, the Lions’ leader maintained a positive outlook, “The 2009 season was a very frustrating one as there were factors out of our control that contributed to some tough losses. The process of moving on began last spring when, as a group, we sat down and decided what we needed to focus on and what not to waste valuable energy on. We had a successful spring season, everyone worked hard and now we are excited to face the challenges that lie ahead of us this fall.”
In total, the team lost 14 players from a year ago including a trio of four-year seniors in Leonardo Nogueira, Daniel Asher, and Kareem Doherty. However, the future is bright for the Lions’ brass as change brings optimism to the entire Lions’ program. Leaving Harrison excited about a core group of veteran returners and the potential of his new student-athletes. “We expect everyone to step it up in 2010,” he stated. “Each year players come back more experienced than the year before and we expect more of them in everything that they do. This team has seven seniors, all of which will be excellent role models for the younger players.” He continued by stating, “Their experience is what we are counting on to lead this squad on and off the field.”
In addition, Harrison finds solace in his senior-laden group with his three captains, Troy Zellman, Scott Stefanek, and Bruce Cutler. He expects them to push each other in a positive manner and keep the squad in a state or urgency, “They, along with senior Jonathan Glenn, bring three years of starting experience, hard work and a high fitness level to the team.” He continued, “They know that this is the final go-around for them. They expect a lot out of themselves and a lot out of their teammates. They are the pulse of our squad and we go as they go; I need them to be the leaders they are capable of being.”
A solid group of veteran’s is not the only aspect of the season that gives the Lions a shot of enthusiasm, as they welcome a large and talented group of newcomers that look to make an immediate impact. “We have a good class coming in, including two siblings of former players, Edgar Montoya (Eusebio Montoya) and Aaron Gendreau (Art Gendreau). Both of these players could make this a great class,” said Harrison. “It’s exciting to have these two coming in together as they are excellent players, as well as two quality people. We also have two transfers coming in and several other freshmen with loads of potential.”
The Forwards:
After scoring 46 goals in 2007 and 43 in 2008, the Lions are looking to find their offensive touch once again in 2010, after a 30-goal effort last year. Leading the offensive charge for the Green & Gold is Glenn and his 34 lifetime goals, a record that ranks him fourth all-time in program history. Glenn, who finished seventh in the SSC in goals scored last year and was an All-SSC and Daktronics Second Team member, is expected to challenge for the league scoring crown once agan. Joining the dangerous right foot of Glenn is the dynamic freshman pair of Gendreau and Herrera as they combined for 275 goals during their high school careers. Each is expected to ease the burden on the Lions top scoring threat as Saint Leo looks to overcome their scoring challenges of a year ago. While not the prototypical scoring threat, the Lions’ Cutler is also expected to make an impact on the offensive end, despite his midfield label. He blasted five shots into the goal in 2009, and was Saint Leo’s second leading scorer with 14 points as he earned a spot on the All-South Region Second Team. The quartet is expected to be the heart of the offense for Saint Leo, as they bring explosiveness, speed, and vision to the field.
The Midfielders:
When it comes to the midfield, Cutler’s stay-cool, veteran influence will be decisive to the Lions success in ’10. He, along with returning sophomores Viktor Wiknor and Daniel Valdez, look to enhance the group’s productivity from a year ago in every aspect of the game. Each midfielder enjoyed solid year’s last season, but the SSC-season experience gained by Wiknor and Valdez could prove to be one of the biggest benefactors for the club at the position. The trio, combined with an incoming junior transfer and a plethora or freshman, could make the midfield spot a strength for Saint Leo as the season develops. Harrison is depending on smart, reliable players who can see the field and make intelligent decisions with the ball. Many state, ‘the game is won and lost at the midfield position.’ This statement could prove no truer than this season.
The Defenders:
The defense should be the Lions most consistent aspect in 2010 as they return four impact players from one year ago. As a group, Saint Leo allowed just 25 goals last season which was the lowest amount surrendered since the 2007 year (24 GA). Leading the group is the duo of Zellman and Stefanek as they take their spots at the centerback position. Also providing insurance in the defensive area is senior Cody Allen. He is expected to add valuable playing minutes and provide insurance for Lions back-four. Sophomore’s James Deconinck and Jason Manaras will also brings necessary depth to the position over the next four months.
The Goalkeeping:
It is also a season of change in net for the Lions, as four goalkeepers will be vying for the starting spot. As a group, the Lions accumulated a 1.67 goals-against-average and made 66 saves in 2009. But now eyes turn to the 6’1” junior from Portsmouth, England, Jake Hirst. Hirst played in two games last year making one start. In total, he went 0-1 with six saves and posted a 3.44 GAA in nearly 105 minutes. He has company though, as a trio of freshman look to push Hirst and add needed competition to the vital position.
The Schedule:
The Lions have a difficult slate of games in 2010, but Harrison still feels his team can contend with the best of them, “The SSC always presents a difficult schedule; I feel this year in particular the SSC is going to be deeper and tougher than any year since my arrival at Saint Leo.” He continued, “We also encounter tough out-of-conference matches, including our season-opener with Carson Newman and West Florida.” Despite the tough opposition, Harrison believes his veteran group exudes potential to go far, “We have a veteran group of returners this year that has the potential to compete for the SSC title. At the same time there are several schools that are returning the majority of their starters and the SSC is always tough from top to bottom. All of this is in an attempt to go return to the NCAA Tournament. But that is not the main focus as Harrison stated, “We don’t focus on the SSC’s or the NCAA’s. We focus on what we can control, and our individual and collective performances. If we work hard and improve daily, then the wins will take care of themselves and we will be where we want to be, come season’s end.”
Home Field Advantage:
The Lions are an overwhelming 40-10-3 in Harrison’s six seasons at home. That tremendous mark will be put to the test once again in 2010, as the likes of West Florida, Tampa, and Barry all enter the friendly confines of University Field. In discussing their home play, Harrisons states that there’s no secret to their success, “When you play at home you have control over certain things that you don’t when playing on the road. You get to sleep in your own bed, no long bus rides, and numerous other advantages. You can stick to your normal routine and play in front of the home crowd, which always helps.”
No matter the final record, however, Harrison promises that those who come out to support the Green & Gold will see a team that plays attractive soccer, who will work hard, and do things the right way.
Harrison and the Lions will begin their season on the road September 2 in Jefferson City, Tennessee where they will take on in-region opponent Carson-Newman College. The Lions open their 2010 home schedule on September 10 at 7:00 p.m. against Georgia Southwestern.
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