Aug. 31, 2009
Stony Brook, N.Y. - Long Island's only two Division I programs continue the rivalry when Stony Brook takes on Hofstra on Tuesday night at 7, in the 2009 season opener for both schools. This rivalry dates all the way back to 1965 when Stony Brook topped Hofstra, 3-0. Since that meeting, the two schools have played 25 times with Hofstra holding a 13-7-5 advantage. Since joining the Division I ranks in 1999, Stony Brook is 3-3-1 against the Pride, including last year's 2-2 double-overtime tie in front of 1,000 fans at Hofstra. Last year's meeting had Hofstra taking a 2-0 lead in the 62nd minute, but Stony Brook answered with two goals including a tally from Mladen Ramic in the 87th minute. Seawolves keeper Dawid Ditrich saved Richard Martinez's penalty kick in the 79th minute.
Below is the 2009 Season Preview:
Outlook
It's not just players who can learn how to deal with, and come back from adversity. "We learned a lot of lessons last season," Stony Brook men's soccer head coach Cesar Markovic said. "Many of our team's goals this season will be based on things we weren't able to achieve last season.
Following last year's 3-12-4 record, Markovic and his staff made the spring season and, more importantly, recruiting, their top priorities. "We went back to our roots in terms of recruiting," Markovic said. "Our recruiting goals were to identify the best players in Southeastern New York, mainly the five boroughs and Long Island. We went after players hard that fit our system."
Secondly, the spring season, which pitted the Seawolves against Division II runner-up Dowling and national power Connecticut, allowed Markovic to play some of the younger guys who didn't see as much time during the fall. "This past spring season may have been as important as any during my time here," Markovic said. "Kids like Kyle McTurk and Kevin Zalewski, who didn't see as much time during the fall, got the opportunity to play quality minutes."
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As a result, accoring to Markovic, McTurk learned the college game better. He was able to read the flow of the game and that made him tactically better. "Kyle's training during the spring offered me the opportunity to see some talent and leadership skills flourish," Markovic said. Zalewski, who along with McTurk, saw limited time in 11 games as a freshman. "Kevin showed us some interesting things during the spring," Markovic said. "He was very solid technically and his maturity showed us an increased confidence in his game.
So with a recruiting class Markovic describes as being "the best since I've been here" and a solid spring season, the 2009 men's soccer team has many goals, but none more important than getting back to the top of the America East and a bid to the NCAA Tournament.
Goalkeepers
The graduation of starter Dawid Ditrich `09 and backup Dan Zori `09 leaves the Seawolves with no one who recorded any time in goal last season. Therefore, the goalkeeper job is open for the taking. "We're looking for consistency and leadership out of this position," Markovic said.
Redshirt-freshman Anthony Rogic (Boonton, N.J.), who missed all of last season after a thumb injury, is the only returning keeper listed on last year's roster. "Anthony has a good sense and feel for the game," Markovic said. "He's a very good shot stopper which is elevated by his excellent feet."
Defenders
Two starters from last year's squad, seniors Collin Geoghegan (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) and Damion Brown (Kingston, Jamaica) are in the mix to start again. "We expect Collin to come in fitter this season," Markovic said. "He is a tough player and has been a major contributor to our team. We're looking for him to show a side of leadership now that he's a senior."
Brown, who played in 18 games last season, has seen his role increase in recent years. "Damion was a walk-on four years ago and has developed into a legitimate defender. He has good size and athletic ability that allows him to be a player at this level."
Midfielders
Anchoring the midfield for the second straight season will be junior Greg Tinari (Holbrook, N.Y.). A transfer from St. John's University, Tinari stepped in right way as he was just one of three Seawolves to start all 19 games last season. The team's MVP last year, he once again will be looked upon as one of the team's important cogs. "Greg is a tremendous player for us," Markovic said. "He understands the game, has great technique, is coachable and has a great fitness level."
Junior Diego Acero (Greenport, N.Y.) is back for his fourth season after redshirting as a freshman. "Diego is a very mature player who adds a lot to our team on and off the field. He's been a good spark for us off the bench and changes the energy of the game. Off the field, he gives the younger guys guidance and shows them the right way to work," Markovic said.
Senior James Palumbo (Carmel, N.Y.) tied for the team lead in goals last year and Markovic has high hopes for him in his final season at Stony Brook. "James is a definite talent and has shown a lot of ability in short spurts. He's more fit and that has given him added explosiveness. We need him to be more consistent and be a leader for the new guys," Markovic said.
Sophomore Kevin Zalewski (Parsippany, N.J.) played in just 11 games last season but could be counted on as a contributor this season. `Kevin didn't get a lot of time during the season but had a good spring that showed us he's ready to perform," Markovic said.
Sophomore Kyle McTurk (Hauppauge, N.Y.) joins Zalewski as players who should see increased time in 2009. "Kyle was our most improved player from last season," Markovic said. "His tactical awareness and maturity could be assets to our team this season."
Forwards
Up front, the Seawolves return sophomore Tom Butler (Birmingham, England) and senior Oscar Leis (Ozone Park, N.Y.), who each tied with Palumbo for the team lead in goals.
Butler, who scored goals in the season opener and finale, is primed to have an even better sophomore season. "Tom has a strong body and a nose for scoring goals," Markovic said. "He found himself with a number of quality scoring opportunities and now just needs to convert those chances."
Leis, who has six career goals to his credit, is one of the team's key guys according to Markovic. "Oscar is a great teammate and team player," Markovic said. "Despite some recent injuries, he has a love and passion for our team."
Newcomers
Despite the addition of 14 new players to the 2009 roster, familiarity with each other won't be an issue. "These kids have been playing against each other or with each other for years," Markovic said. "The adjustment to each other will be minimal."
Freshman Raphael Abreu (New York, N.Y.) comes to Stony Brook from Eleanor Roosevelt High School where he was a prolific goal scorer, tallying 54 goals to go along with 30 assists in four years. He also scored two goals at the U.S. Soccer Development Winter Showcase, one of the sport's elite events. "Raphael has a unique combination of size and speed," Markovic said.
Freshman Mehdi Belakehal (St.-Hubert, Quebec) joins the Seawolves after spending a prep year at Champlain College-St. Lambert in his native Quebec. While at Champlain, he was named the CCAA Player of the Month for October and earned All-Canadian honors. "Mehdi has tremendous vision on the field. He's always looking for opportunities to set up teammates to score," Markovic said.
Sophomore Wilber Bonilla (Brentwood, N.Y.) is one of Stony Brook's more high-profiled recruits in recent history. A transfer from Hartwick College, Bonilla was a two-time high school All-American at Brentwood High School as well as the Gatorade New York State Player of the Year following the 2006 season. A top-25 national recruit by Rise Magazine, Bonilla was also on the cover of the publication. "Wilber has great vision and is tremendous on the ball," Markovic said. "He shows a lot of composure on the field and reminds me a lot of Douglas Narvaez `06."
One of two keepers brought in to challenge Rogic for the starting job is freshman Danny Bonomini (Holbrook, N.Y.). "Danny has a great physique for a goalkeeper," Markovic said. "He has a tremendous upside and at 6'4'' should be a presence in goal."
Looking to contribute up front is freshman Antonio Crespi (North Babylon, N.Y.). Crespi is an all-league and all-conference performer, who was one of Suffolk County's leading scorers as a senior. An all-league selection in basketball, Crespi was chosen to the Suffolk County Exceptional Senior Team last fall. "Antonio is a super athletic kid who has a knack for scoring goals in big spots," Markovic said.
A high school teammate of Crespi, Leonardo Fernandes (North Babylon, N.Y.) provides the Seawolves with some scoring punch from the midfield position. A first team all-state and all-region selection, Fernandes also was one of Suffolk County's leading scorers as well as a U.S. Soccer Development Academy Northeast Best XI. "Leonardo is an extremely skilled left-footed player with great ability to break down defenders one-on-one," Markovic said. "I would compare Leo to Michael Palacio `08."
A former club teammate of Belakehal, freshman Berian Gobeil (Montreal, Quebec) is a player that could make an immediate impact in the attacking third. "Berian has an elegant touch on the ball," Markovic said. "He has a lot of quality competition under his belt."
Freshman Christian Galindo (Brentwood, N.Y.) comes to Stony Brook after winning a state championship at Brentwood High School and a number one ranking in the polls. "Christian has been a winner at every level. He was a starting left back on one of the best U.S. Soccer Academy teams in the country," Markovic said.
Freshman Stefan Manz (Bronx, N.Y.) is the other goalkeeper Markovic signed to challenge Rogic and Bonomini for the starting job. "Stefan has tremendous speed for a keeper. He gets down well from a standing position," Markovic said.
A former national team pool and all-state selection, freshman Cristian Quevedo (Smithtown, N.Y.) is rated as a top-50 recruit by Top Drawer Soccer. "Cristian has a tremendous will to win. His field awareness will be an asset to our team," Markovic said.
All-state selection Christian Molinar (Bay Shore, N.Y.) is another local product who scored six goals as a defender. "Christian is a talented lefty who plays with composure and maturity beyond his years," Markovic said.
A club player for Markovic's Stony Brook Heat team, freshman Kyle Schlesinger (Selden, N.Y.) adds speed to the Seawolves' midfield. "Kyle's best asset is his quick feet. He's going to surprise some teams with his quickness," Markovic said.
Stony Brook's top recruit from a year ago, sophomore Serigne Sylla (New York, N.Y.) joins the Seawolves after spending a year upstate at Division III SUNY-Cobleskill. "Serigne is a great athlete. He has tremendous speed and quickness," Markovic said.
Freshman Peter Touros (Astoria, N.Y.) comes from an extensive soccer background, joining three members of his family who played college soccer. "Peter has a strong body with great speed. His drive to attack makes him a great player," Markovic said.
Schedule
For the first time since 2005, the Seawolves open the season at home when they face Hofstra on September 1. Following games at Harvard (Sept. 4) and Bryant (Sept. 6), the Seawolves face St. John's, the top-ranked team in the preseason by College Soccer News, in Queens on September 11. "St. John's has been the class of local soccer and we're looking forward to playing them," Markovic said. Stony Brook returns home to face Seton Hall on September 13, in a match representing one of the top schools to ever visit LaValle Stadium. "It's going to be exciting for our players and fans to see a Big East school at our stadium," Markovic said.
The Seawolves continue non-conference action at Long Island University on September 16 and travel to the University of Evansville for the Aces Invitational that weekend. Stony Brook opens the tournament against Eastern Illinois on September 18 and faces Evansville two days later. In 2006 the Seawolves defeated Evansville, 1-0, in the same invitational. Matches against Quinnipiac (Sept. 20) and Adelphi (Sept. 26) round out the non-conference slate.
Stony Brook opens conference play at Boston University on October 3 and travels to face UMBC on October 7. The Seawolves return home for three straight home matches, beginning with in-state rivals Binghamton on October 10 and Albany on October 17 before facing Vermont on October 21. They are at New Hampshire on October 24 and close the regular season at home against Hartford on October 31.
