United States Coast Guard Academy - Department of Athletics - Men's Soccer

After back-to-back ECAC tournament appearances in 2006 and 2007, the 2008 Coast Guard men’s soccer team will look to keep up its winning ways. The Bears, who have earned a berth in the ECAC Tournament in four of the last five years, return a host of starters and reserves who saw significant playing time on a team which finished 9-7-1 overall and 2-3-1 in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC). All seven losses last season were by one goal.

With so many players with game experience returning, the Bears hope to improve upon their 6th place finish in the difficult NEWMAC. The conference was so competitive last season, that entering the final game of the season, the Bears could have finished as high as third place.

In goal, Coast Guard returns both keepers who played every minute of every game a year ago. Junior Tim Olah posted a 1.24 goals against average while sophomore Chris Tarbell finished the season with a 0.62 goal against average.

In front of the keepers, the Bears return second team All-conference selection, senior tri-captain James Toohey at center back and senior Ben Walsh at right back. The left side of defense will show some new faces as sophomores Thomas Harner and Frank Hackett will likely start at center back and left back. Junior Matt Izbicki will see significant time and a group of freshman backs will challenge the back line for time.

In the midfield, the Bears return first team All-conference selection Dave O’Brien. He scored five goals and had four assists in 2007. Jake Larsen will move from back to midfield to provide a scoring threat. Brandon McMillan, Matt Zangle and Spencer Ross will be dangerous on the flanks for the Bears.

At Forward, Coast Guard returns all four players who split time between two positions. Tri-captain and second team All-NEWMAC selection senior Peter Deneen will hope to match his scoring output of 2007 when led the team with nine goals to go with four assists for a team-high 22 points. Senior tri-captain Thomas Cameron also returns after scoring seven goals and five assists last season. Nick Devine and Nate Wojcik will also contribute up front. The two combined for five goals and four assists last season.

“The team is very excited and determined to get better and better as the season progresses. We suffered some very difficult late season losses in ’07,” said head coach Chris Parsons, who enters his seventh season. “ Those losses have provided the team with a strong desire to stay focused for all 90 minutes of a match. I expect another season of close, exciting matches, and if the ball bounces our way, we could have a great season.”