Aug. 29, 2010
In the conclusion of the SienaSaints.com series Training Camp, we take a look at the men's soccer team and its outlook for the 2010 season.
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After the most successful two years of Siena men's soccer in the last decade, head coach Gareth Elliott's program is taking shape. He has turned the program into a passing, shooting, tackling melting pot that's gaining steam. Last year he brought in 11 freshmen, seven of which played in at least 14 games. The rookies made up the team's top three goal scorers as well as the starting goalkeeper. This season there will be nine freshmen, four of them from Europe. This diverse squad includes players from seven different U.S. states and five different foreign countries.
Sophomores Emery Welshman and Sindre Ek return as the team's leading scorers. Welshman led the team with six goals and 15 points and won 2009 MAAC Rookie of the Year. Ek recorded 12 points on five goals and two assists.
Although it's a young team with only six upperclassmen, Siena has experience in vital positions. Notably, Siena returns seniors Steve Skonieczny at goalkeeper and Steve Covino at center midfield as well as red-shirt junior Nick Viaggio at center back.
"I think the only goal and the only one we'll settle for is winning the conference championship," Elliott said. "With the freshmen [from last season] getting that year under their belt, they should come back and be ready to go. I think we're going to have a stronger squad from top to bottom so whoever gives us the best chance to win is going to play."
Siena hopes to get off to another fast start this season. Last year the Saints won four of their first six games including the home opener against Rhode Island in double overtime. Daniel Alderstad sent the Siena faithful into frenzy when he scored the golden goal and then in celebration leapt onto the fence in front of the bleachers.
The memorable moments such as the URI game and Siena's overtime win at Boston College were eclipsed by a 0-3-1 finish to the regular season, keeping the Green and Gold out of the MAAC Tournament. It was a painful reality for a young team but also a learning experience as the program moves forward.
Forwards
Welshman and Ek will be looked at to supply offensive firepower. Both were MAAC All-Rookie Team selections last season.
"We're going to be expecting big things from Emery and Sindre," Elliott said. "Emery was our leading scorer and Rookie of the Year last season. And Sindre scored five goals from midfield which is pretty impressive."
Senior Joe Tavernese appeared in all 19 games last season and showed versatility at both outside midfield and forward last season. He scored three goals and led the team with five assists.
Freshmen Lewis Davenport and Joshua Vlasich will add immediate depth up front and compete for playing time. Davenport is a big target forward from Chester, England and Vlasich played three years at Exeter High School and was named New Hampshire Gatorade Player of the Year as a senior.
Midfield
Siena's midfield is wide open, especially if Ek plays forward. Alderstad started 18 games at center midfield last season. Covino played center midfield in 2008, but started at outside back last season out of team-need.
Freshmen Matt Hemsley and James Beeston are highly-touted freshmen from England.
"Beeston and Hemsley are industrious, high work-rate, ball winners," Elliott said. "They get the ball and get rid of it."
Returning to the field as a red-shirt senior is Anthony Tagliaferri. He went down with a season ending injury in his first game last year. Tagliaferri appeared in all 18 games in 2008 and ranked second on the team in scoring with 12 points.
"He's the X factor," Elliott said. "When he's on, he's capable of taking over a game."
Matt Turcio missed last season after recovering from a knee injury. As a freshman he tallied eight points.
Joe Miner and Chris Medina are versatile players who could see time at either midfield or defense. This past summer, Miner captained his club team Bethlehem to the U-20 National Cup Title. He started all four games at center mid and assisted on both goals in the final.
Sean Sullivan appeared in 18 games at outside midfield last season. He recorded four shots.
Freshmen Mike Matera, Garret Eldridge and John Maleganos will all add depth to Siena's midfield. Matera played four years at Trumbull High School in Connecticut and was named an All-State selection. Eldridge is a versatile player who could spend time in the midfield or at outside back. He was a two-time All-League selection for Conestoga High School. Maleganos played four years of varsity soccer at Hicksville High School. He was a 2008 and 2009 U-17 Eastern New York ODP (Olympic Development Program) Team selection and a 2009 and 2010 U.S. Youth Soccer Regional Champion.
Defense
The defense will be anchored by Viaggio and Jannis Opalka at center back. Viaggio had a rebound season last year and started all 19 games after missing 2008 with an injury. He even pushed into the attack and scored one goal and added two assists. Opalka was an imposing presence on defense his rookie season. He started all 14 games he appeared in and earned MAAC All-Rookie Team and Siena College Male Rookie of the Year honors.
Freshman German-import Falko Friedrichs joins the back line this season and should offer similar benefits as Opalka. At 6-5 he is the tallest player on the roster
"We're looking for Falko to come in and add to our defensive presence immediately," Elliott said. "He's a strong defensive player who can play centrally or on the left side."
Joe Tempone provided valuable minutes at outside back last season. He started 14 games, appearing in 16. He assisted on the game winning goal at Boston College.
David Bonzerato started six games at center back, appearing 11 times last season.
Goalkeeper
Skonieczny started the first three games last season. He posted two shutouts and earned MAAC Defensive Player of the Week before his only goal of the season forced him from the lineup in a 1-0 loss to Sacred Heart. He was replaced by freshman Phil Chabot who started the final 16 games of the season and had a 1.64 GAA and a .722 save percentage.
"Goalkeeping will be an open competition between Skins and Phil Chabot," Elliott said. "Whoever comes in and plays best will play. They have different attributes so it might mean switching games or switching halves until we figure out who our guy is."
Freshman Adam Myers, a local product from Ballston Spa, will provide depth in goal.
