Aug. 9, 2007
In the months since the 2006 Villanova men's soccer season concluded, Larry Sullivan has reflected often on all that it entailed: injuries; near misses; and a late-season slide that left the `Cats absent from the BIG EAST Tournament for the first time in four years.
"It was an experience year more than anything," says Sullivan of a 6-10-1 campaign. "All things considered, I thought we played pretty well. We played a lot of young people and (midfielder) Danny DeMasters was never really healthy. We lost a lot of tough games, games I thought we should have won. We made the mistakes that inexperienced teams make."
The 2007 season promises to be a fascinating one. The Wildcats are older and return all but one starter from last season. A gifted crop of freshmen should make the squad deeper too. And while some health issues remain - chief among them the status of DeMasters, an All-BIG EAST choice as a rookie in 2004 before a series of injuries took a toll - there is the legitimate reason to anticipate better results this time around.
There is little doubt that the plight of DeMasters affected Villanova in 2006. A gifted and creative force when in top form, he has battled injury throughout his college career. He missed the entire 2005 season with a torn ACL in his knee and was plagued by a series of nagging injuries last season, reducing his effectiveness and forcing the coaching staff to limit his minutes.
"I think that affected us more psychologically than it did in actuality," Sullivan, who enters his 17th and final season at Villanova in 2007. "We weren't convinced we could win without him."
The injury litany for DeMasters did not end last fall. He has battled a series of other injuries and has undergone three surgeries in his time at VU (knee, shoulder, foot). Measuring his potential contribution at this point is difficult.
"We just don't know how much he will be able to help us," says Sullivan. "With him healthy, we're a different team."
So Sullivan hopes that the rest of his unit can become more self-reliant without its on-field leader. Then if DeMasters regains his health, the squad is that much stronger.
"I have talked to the team leadership and have suggested that we get a new concept of who we are," says Sullivan. "With Danny or without Danny, we have to succeed. Now I think we have a better chance with him but we have to find a way regardless."
In Sullivan's mind there is a positive to be taken from the challenges of 2006.
"Because of what we went through I think these young men are starting to understand that individually everyone has to perform better," he says. "As individuals we all have to learn to take responsibility.
"Responsibility is the key word and the players are the ones who are really emphasizing it."
Goals are always precious in soccer but were even more so last season at Villanova. The Wildcats averaged 1.0 goals per game and were shut out seven times. VU generated only one score in its last 373 minutes of regular season action.
The forward position is thus essential to a strong 2007. Villanova returns its leading scorer Mike Seamon there and Sullivan believes he has other athletes who can make an impression too.
"Seamon can have more of an impact for us, especially around the goal," says of the sophomore who tallied two goals and five assists as a rookie. "He does everything well. The big thing for him is to create more opportunities to score for himself and for others. Everyone can see that Michael has the talent but now he can really make a push for excellence.
"If he can reach the potential he is capable of, I think he can have a whole different impact on the team."
One mitigating factor which worked against Seamon in 2006 was a lack of depth at the forward position. He seldom left the field and Sullivan hopes that burden can be eased by a deeper collection of forwards.
"We have to help Seamon," Sullivan states. "We'd like to have four or five strikers we could use."
Two holdovers could see an enhanced role.
Senior Mike Del Guercio finished second on the `Cats in scoring with three goals and an assist. He relies on guile and a strong foot to contribute near the opponent's goal.
"The best part of his game is around the goal," says Sullivan. "He takes advantage of opportunities. Unfortunately last season we didn't really get him as many chances as he needed. With the influx of our freshmen to help get him more opportunities, he can be more of an asset this year."
Junior Dan McKenna showed flashes of becoming a force in 12 games last season. With superior size, he can excel in traffic near the net and last year added a pair of goals.
"McKenna had a great spring," notes Sullivan. "When he plays within himself, he is a vital factor for us. He's big, he's brave and he cares. I am hoping he can push Del Guercio."
Still in the mix is senior Billy Whiteside, who missed all but two games in 2006 due to injury. When healthy, he is a speedy force on the wing who can be used in a variety of positions. Health woes have continued to hound him this summer.
"He has size and speed and can help us," Sullivan says. "We just have to see where he is at with his health."
Freshman and Philadelphia native Anthony Griffith should make an impact here too.
"He brings speed, courage and the ability to score," states Sullivan. "This kid is a Philly player - tough as they come."
Another option is Sean Mergenthal, a strong newcomer from Blackwood, N.J., who aims to be a factor too.
Much of Sullivan's plan to generate offense last season centered upon the teamwork of gifted distributors DeMasters and Joe Taylor in the midfield. DeMasters' health issues shifted the burden to Taylor, a clever weapon who finished tied for second on the club in scoring with two goals and threes assists for seven points.
"It was a tough year for Joey," says Sullivan. "When Danny was on the field, Joey played great. When Danny wasn't on the field, Joey played well. Joey didn't play a bad game last year. I just think he had too much to do. He has experience and he is a good player but when it all falls on one guy, it's tough.
"I just couldn't rest him because when he was off the field our level dropped so much because he brings the fire, spirit, passion and ability to make us a better team."
Another midfielder likely to see major minutes is sophomore Victor Faustino. The native of Maryland contributed two goals and an assist while carrying a heavy load over 16 games. The year of experience should help his development.
"Faustino played some very good games for us," Sullivan states. "The big thing for his progression is that he buys into what we are all about, on and off the field. If he does that, he is one of the most talented players on the field."
Junior Adam Brazitis is back to anchor a spot in the defensive midfield or on defense. He will be used in both places and offers Sullivan a measure of security as he is dependable, having logged major minutes throughout his first two seasons on the Main Line.
"Brazitis is very organized and knows what he's doing," says Sullivan. "What I would really like to see from him is that he dominates defensively. He has to keep his game simple, be physical, and learn how to change the direction of the attack. He has to learn how to move us."
Junior Miles Harrison returns to the midfield after scoring one goal and two assists while appearing in all 17 games.
"Harrison is a great athlete and extremely talented," notes Sullivan. "Miles had a good spring but we need to see more consistency from him. We hope he steps up."
The impact of the newcomers could be felt most strongly in the midfield. Freshman Chris Christian from North Wales, Pa., will have the opportunity to carve a niche for himself.
"Chris is a great defender with midfield abilities," Sullivan says. "We will look at him in both places. We know he can contribute right away. He's big, fast, quick and isn't afraid of the physical play."
Rookie Dillon Chapman has a chance to gain a foothold in the playing rotation too.
"Dillon is a natural goal scorer," says Sullivan of the Birmingham, Mich., native. "We feel he can learn his way and help us."
Freshman Jake Heyer of Tupelo, Miss., who was being counted on to play a role, could be lost for the season to an injury.
"That's going to hurt us," Sullivan says.
Also in the midfield mix is Phil Dillon, a sophomore who appeared in 13 games last season. Holdover Connor Esposito will look to work his way into the lineup as a sophomore. Newcomers Alex Fusco, Colin Fay and Kyle Williams also hope to carve a niche for themselves when pre-season workouts get underway in mid-August.
The one notable loss from 2006 is defender Jon Wells, a three-year starter. Sullivan will look to freshman Nick Rouzier from Amherst, Mass., to fill the void.
"Rouzier is a natural left back and we feel he'll be able to help us there," Sullivan explains.
The defense will be built around senior center back Matt Sleece, a three-year starter and linchpin.
"Sleece is typical of the central defenders I have had here, who have been some of our best players," states Sullivan, listing former `Cats such as Jim Curtin and Steve Leaman. "He's tough, smart and cares. He actually played hurt much of last year and still played very well."
The other central back role will likely be occupied by Brazitis or Christian, with the other in the midfield.
Senior Neil McNulty, who has starting experience on defense, is also available. The Hampton, N.J. native played in all 17 games last year.
Chris Quinn, also a senior, has logged major minutes as a defender and is in the mix too.
Senior Farris Fakhoury, whose role has continually grown over the last two seasons, looks to have the inside track on a starting assignment on the right side of the defense.
"Farris is the player a coach loves," he says, likening his selfless contributions to those Will Sheridan made to the men's basketball team. "He does whatever we need and is only interested in what's best for the team. He always plays hard. It's not about him.
"At right back, he can solidify our back line. He is the guy that completes the hand."
Other possibilities in back include sophomore Adam Terreri and sophomore Adam Amann from Massachusetts, who may be able to spell Fakhoury.
All three goalies off last year's roster - seniors Jason Friel and John Ward along with sophomore Drew Heinold - return along with a freshman, David Sauerhoff.
"In my estimation, all four are going to compete for the starting position," Sullivan states. "I want to see what everyone can do in competition in a game. They all work hard and are excellent athletes."
The goalkeeping position offers intrigue as well. Senior Jason Friel is the incumbent with three years of starting experience. Last season he produced a 1.35 goals against average.
"Right now Friel is our No. 1 but that could change," Sullivan says. "We need our goalie to save us."
Ward was the primary backup in 2006, seeing action in four games and posting a 2.27 goals against average. Heinold did not see any game action but gained a year of practice experience. Sauerhoff joins the fray from Springfield, N.J.
"Sauerhoff is not real big but he is technically very good," notes Sullivan of the new arrival.
In addition to the usual rugged slate of BIG EAST encounters, Villanova will face Duke, North Carolina State, Maryland, and Penn State in 2007, all away from home. It will also meet Philadelphia Soccer Seven foes Saint Joseph's and Drexel.
"If you come to school to learn you should take the most challenging courses, right," Sullivan says. "Why should that be different in sports?"
Despite the formidable slate, Sullivan is aiming high.
"We are looking to do well and get to the BIG EAST Final Four," he says.
The quest begins on Aug. 14, as the team convenes on West campus for the official start of practice.
