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

Coast Guard returns eight starters and will hope to get back to the postseason in 2010 after finishing under .500 and not making the ECAC Tournament for the first time in four years with a mark of 8-9-1 last season.

A difficult stretch, in which the team dropped six of seven games last season, kept the Bears from their fourth consecutive ECAC tournament berth. The season finished on a strong note, with the Bears finishing third in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) with a 3-3 record. A similar finish this year will be necessary as for the first time in conference history, only five of seven teams will qualify for the conference tournament.

In order to qualify for the conference tournament, the Bears will need players to step up in critical positions. Senior Chris Tarbell (2-0, 0.00 GAA last season) will likely take the reigns in goal for the Bears. Junior Sean Newmeyer and sophomore Will Leffler will challenge him for the number one spot.

The defense should be an area of strength for the Bears as four players with significant experience return. Senior co-captain Frank Hackett and junior Sean Stadig will start at the center back positions, with sophomore Greg Kennerley at right back and junior Tony Bareno at left back. A group of talented freshmen will push to returners.

The Bears return three out of four starting midfielders including junior Brett Godiksen, who led the team with ten assists last season. He will look to set the table again and improve his goal tally of one. Co-captain senior Matt Zangle (3 goals, 3 assists) and senior Brett Huntley will hold down the middle of field once again in 2010. Junior P.J. Kelly (2 goals, 1 assist) will contribute in the midfield and up front as well.

The biggest question mark for the Bears in 2010 will be who will pick up the slack for the departed Nick Devine, who led the team with ten goals last season. Junior Anthony Walker (3 goals, 3 assists) and junior Kevin Noll (3 goals) will be called upon to produce.

“There are four to five freshmen who will see time in the midfield and up front,” said head coach Chris Parsons in his ninth season.

A solid recruiting class has yielded a group of freshman who will impact the team this year.

“With only four seniors on the roster, you could say we are a young team, however, we do return eight starters. The NEWMAC continues to produce quality teams from top to bottom every year and this year will be no different.” added Parsons. “A break here or there will determine our fate. I do know one thing, we will compete with a will to win in every match we play.”