The Morrisville State College men’s soccer is itching for the season to get underway and is prepared to hit the ground running as they open the 2012 schedule on the road at the SUNY Potsdam College Cup tournament Saturday, September 1.
Morrisville State is looking to improve upon its .500 mark recorded last season, returning 10 solid players and adding 15 talented newcomers.
Third year head coach Kyle Graves (12-16-5 overall record, two seasons) is looking to guide the team back to the conference tournament after finishing one game shy last season, and will rely on a returning experienced core to provide the balanced attack and control on the field for what he believes will lead to an up-tempo dynamic of play.
“We have a great mix of returners with great game experience and exciting incoming players who have the ability to make an immediate impact,” says Coach Graves of his 2012 squad.
Three all-conference team selections return to the starting lineup this season, including senior captain Sanley Pierre-Louis (Gaithersburg, Md.), a two-time North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) All-Conference team selection as a striker. Gilroy Alvarez (Guatemala) and Joey Plummer (Rochester, N.Y.) are expected to be a threat from the forward and midfield lines.
Pierre-Louis led the team in scoring for the third straight season, netting seven goals and an assist alone last year, while Alvarez and Plummer collectively added another 6 goals and 5 assists to the team tallies.
One of the biggest changes opponents will see immediately to the Mustang squad is the added depth to the roster. Coach Graves expects his newcomers to be an immediate threat to opponents.
Rob Larkin (Clinton, N.Y.) joins the squad after a stellar high school career as a goalkeeper, where he recorded 48 shutouts, leading Clinton High School to the Class B State Semifinals.
Danny Peckham (Webster, N.Y.), a central defender, also joins the mustangs after an accomplished high school career where he helped lead Webster Schroeder to the Class AA State Finals.
Jake Chase (Cooperstown, N.Y.), another exciting addition to the team, joins the squad after a successful career at Herkimer Community College where he was a member of the 2011 National Championship team. Chase is a dynamic striker and a proven winner who also helped lead the U19 Empire United squad to this past summer’s National Final Four.
The Mustangs face SUNY Potsdam in the opening round of the SUNY Potsdam College Cup at 1:30 p.m. in Potsdam. Their home opener is scheduled for Wednesday, September 5th at 4 P.M. against RIT on Drake Field in Morrisville.