Aug. 31, 2009
In a sport populated by young men with college careers generally no longer than four years, the prospect of taking the long view can be hard to relate to. But because his team did that successfully in 2008, Villanova men's soccer coach Tom Carlin can peer confidently down the road about the foundation now in place on the Main Line.
"We were able to accomplish some things out on the field," says Carlin of a 2008 campaign that saw Villanova finish with a 7-10-2 mark and qualify for the BIG EAST Tournament in a conference regarded by many as the most rugged in America. "We were able to execute the attack and the scenarios that we mapped out going into the game. We put ourselves into position to win games and that's important. Obviously, we would like to have gotten better results at times and that's part of this process.
"For us, though, we established a culture in our family and set standards for our work ethic. We know what is important to us and that's our foundation going forward."
Now, the Wildcats will look to take another step ahead even as they contemplate formidable challenges. The BIG EAST again offers an imposing list of heavyweights and this team will be the youngest in recent memory at Villanova. Gone are such lineup regulars as 2008 captain Joe Taylor, longtime midfield staple Danny DeMasters and a trio of steady defenders, including Adam Brazitis, Farris Fakhoury, and Miles Harrison. In their place is a gifted group of nine newcomers that is long on upside but will not have the luxury of easing into the mix.
"We'll definitely be more athletic and with this '09 class, feel we have some terrific talent," notes Carlin. "But we're going to be young. More than half of our roster will be underclassmen so there is going to be a learning curve. Our main goal is to be better at the end of the year than we are when we start. We hope to get this group worked in quickly and that should be a springboard for a successful future."
Mike Seamon has been the Wildcats' leading scorer in each of his first three seasons at Villanova and the midfielder is used to shouldering a heavy load. He will do so again this time as one of the handful of upperclassmen and the club's most proven offensive commodity (four goals, four assists and 12 points in 2008).
"Last year Mike put the weight of the world on his shoulders," said Carlin. "This year we brought in some attacking talent around him that we think can ease some of that burden. We need Mike to bring tons of energy and stay positive throughout. He is going to be more of a teacher than he ever has been before.
"Mike's in a position where he has to step his game up. He's become more dynamic and has the ability to take over games now. As a senior he has the ability to be a technically good soccer player while also producing points for us. It's the kind of challenge you want a senior in Mike's position to embrace and he has."
With Seamon pointing the way on offense, it will likely fall to junior Chris Christian to do so on defense. Christian is a strong, heady presence in the middle of the back wall who battled injuries throughout 2008. He appeared to be in top form again this spring, which is of critical import to the `Cats.
"Chris played hurt the whole year and it was tough for him," stated Carlin. "We need him to be the new anchor of our defense. We've had Matt Sleece, we had Adam Brazitis and Chris learned alongside them. This is a chance for him to step up and control that part of the field for us."
Christian was robbed of much of the explosion he displayed as a rookie by the injuries in 2008. Look for him to be the kind of weapon he was on set pieces in '07, when his size and toughness helped create quality scoring chances.
Those two loom as the offensive and defensive focal points. Around them is a core of gifted athletes with promise looking to make their mark.
Redshirt sophomore Jake Heyer is a speedy midfielder and forward who often provided an offensive spark off the bench. The native of Tupelo, Miss., scored his first college goal at Penn and figures to be among those who will benefit from all of the attention paid to Seamon.
"Jake has an ability to break people down in the attacking area," said Carlin. "He has quickness and athleticism that help give him an advantage in those situations."
Junior Sean Mergenthal returns as well after scoring three goals last season, including a game-winner at Fordham. The Blackwood, N.J., native has size and has demonstrated a knack for being in the right place at the right time in the box during his first two college seasons.
"Sean always finds ways to get into the attack," notes Carlin. "He's kind of Mr. Versatility for us." Mergenthal also might find himself in the defensive midfield more than he has been in the past. But that nose for the ball figures to come into play on set pieces.
Senior Adam Amann has been mostly a reserve in his Wildcat career but could see a larger role this time around. He'll get a crack at a job up front after spending most of his time on defense previously.
"Adam has made some strides and his familiarity with what we are doing is a definite plus on this young team," Carlin said.
Sophomore Matt Margiotta took some time to acclimate himself to the college game in his debut but by the second half of the campaign was a rotation regular. It is expected that he will be a factor from the outset in 2009.
"We will rely on Matt," Carlin stated. "He has an ability to finish plays and is very good around the goal. As the year went on, he matured. He's a very smart kid and we think he can pick up where he left off last season."
Sophomore Will Ogden showed flashes of potential as a rookie in 2008 and then took a major step forward as the team's top goal scorer in spring ball. He will have every opportunity to carry that over into regular season play this fall.
"Will really showed us something in the spring," Carlin stated. "He developed his skills and was a player our opponents had to contend with."
Newcomers will play a role in generating offense too.
Freshman Kyle Soroka is a versatile athlete who figures to log heavy minutes. Heading into the fall, the plan is to use him more on the attack than on defense, though that might change.
"We were originally thinking that we would play Kyle as a back/midfielder," explained Carlin. "But after looking at our club, we feel like he can be more help to us on the attack right now. He'll be a key contributor. He's very good on set pieces and is opportunistic around the goal as well."
Another multi-skilled freshman is Kyle McCarthy. Like Soroka, his exact role isn't clear as yet - he can function as a midfielder or back - but it's quite likely he will be in the action often.
"We think Kyle can really help us move the ball throughout the midfield," said Carlin. "He has very good feet and we like the way he plays through pressure situations. That's an area we'd like to be better in."
A third rookie, Emerson Lawrence, has a chance to carve a niche for himself as well.
"He has the ability to distribute the ball in the middle of the field and help us link our backs to our forwards," noted Carlin. "As he gains experience, we think he'll be an important part of our midfield."
Junior Nick Rouzier is a dependable veteran who has starting experience in both the midfield and back line.
"Nick's a solid guy who has the kind of experience we don't have a lot of," stated Carlin. "He can be a steadying presence for us in the midfield or in the back."
Another junior, Anthony "Jordy" Griffith, is a midfielder with some experience on his resume. He's most often been utilized to give the `Cats a lift off the bench in his first two seasons but could expand that role this time out.
"Jordy can help us out wide," stated Carlin. "He understands what we want there."
Bill McGuinness and Alec Weiss are incoming rookies with upside who bring athleticism to the squad.
"Billy has the ability to impact the game with his play-making ability and great engine," said Carlin. "Alec is a tremendous athlete and has great separation speed."
Of course, perhaps the biggest void is in the midfield too. That's where Taylor was a four-year starter and constant source of energy.
"Replacing him is hard to do," said Carlin. "There is all the off the field stuff Joey did for us as a captain as well as what he brought to the field. The good news is that we have a very spirited bunch of sophomores and we hope their energy can help compensate for the loss of Joey."
Christian is a given at one of the central defensive spots but the rest of the lineup in the back is less clear.
Sophomore Kevin Garcia should be set on the left side. He has size, a strong leg and the ability to jump into the attack when the opportunity presents itself. As a freshman he was steady and now he'll be asked to be a cornerstone of the squad.
"Kevin is a solid, consistent player who we are looking for to have a breakthrough year," said Carlin. "He did some great things last year but now we're looking for that next step."
McCarthy is a possibility here along with Rouzier. So too is Nick Ramirez, a freshman from Florida who was a prolific scorer in high school but shapes up as a defender as matters stand entering camp.
"Nick definitely can be attacking back for us," stated Carlin. "We like what he gives us there and think he can help us."
Stephen Paresi saw limited duty in 2008 but emerged as a regular at right back in the spring.
"He did a great job for us back there," said Carlin. "We think he can help us at that spot."
Connor Esposito is a senior who has earned respect inside the locker room for his selflessness. He provides an important rudder for this very young unit.
"If there is anybody who is going to replace Joey as being that locker room guy, it's Connor," stated Carlin. "He brings tons of energy and all the intangible things you want to see from a player. We really value Connor's contribution to our program."
A pair of freshman who were high school teammates at New Jersey's Ridge High School, Ryan Whalen and Ryan Quane, are eager to be a part of the defensive solution too.
"Ryan Whalen is a tremendous athlete," notes Carlin. "He was an all-conference player in both soccer and basketball in high school. As he continues to focus all of his time and energy to soccer, we feel he will develop into a top defender in the BIG EAST Conference.
"Quane has a good size and is a sound defender who can help us."
A year ago the biggest hole entering the campaign loomed in net. Four year starter Jason Friel had graduated and the only goalkeeper with any college experience, David Sauerhoff, suffered a torn knee ligament in the summer and accepted a medical redshirt. That essentially left the battle for the spot in the hands of two freshmen, Chris Bresnahan and John Fogarty. Bresnahan emerged as the winner of a tight pre-season duel and went on to be a stalwart in goal, posting seven shutouts and playing every minute of the 19-game campaign.
"Chris battled injuries last season and all throughout the spring," said Carlin. "The experience he got last season has given him a ton of confidence. The best thing for us is that he was at his best in the big games last year."
The injuries that vexed Bresnahan, particularly last spring, have opened the door for Forgarty. He handled the goalkeeping chores in March and April and held up well.
"John is making it a battle for playing time with Chris," Carlin noted. "All that playing time he got in the spring has allowed him to develop. It should be an interesting competition between the two because it's not clear-cut who leads as we head toward camp."
There are three other goalkeepers on the roster. Sauerhoff is back and hopeful of making his presence felt. He will be joined by senior Drew Heinold and freshman Micah Collins.
"David had a tough year on the sidelines and he's ready to go," said Carlin. "We count on Drew's work ethic and like the potential Micah has at the position."
The schedule is typically rugged. The BIG EAST will be formidable again and can be especially grueling for inexperienced squads. But Carlin and his staff feel this group is up to the challenges of learning on the go.
"Part of our job as a staff is helping these guys strike the balance between school and soccer at this level," noted Carlin. "Mentally, it can be exhausting for younger players. It's important that they learn to leave whatever other things may be weighing on their minds behind when they step on to the field. That for us is going to be a big challenge.
"On the field, if we can get some results that would be great. We always want this program to strive for excellence and we will this year. But this is a process and we know we are going to be learning as we go in a lot of ways.
"Anything can happen. We've got a young team with tons of potential. If we can get this group to really buy in and make a concentrated effort to be better and trust each other, we'll have taken a big step forward. There's so much we can do with this group and, if you can get to the top of this conference, you know you will be a factor on the national scene. That's something we are striving for."
