Temple University Athletics
Men's Soccer Opens Season At Home Against Soccer Six Rival Villanova
9.3.09 | Men's Soccer
Owls take aim at A-10 crown, begin non-conference season Friday
PHILADELPHIA (9/3/09) - Returning all but three of his starters from his highly successful 2008 campaign, David MacWilliams enters his ninth season as head coach of the Temple men's soccer team knowing that he can pick up right where he left off.
The Cherry and White retain eight starters from a year ago, a solid group of talented players who now know what it takes to win. After leading the team to the Atlantic 10 playoffs for just the first time since 2004, the 2009 Owls roster boasts six seniors among the 18 returning letterwinners who have all had valuable experience on the collegiate level.
MacWilliams will not be short on senior leadership this season, with his roster boasting six seniors including midfielders J.T. Noone, Francois Sagna, Martin Dell'Arciprete, and Mike Puppolo, forward Augustin Coly, and goalkeeper Bryant Hosler. The Owls lose defender Brant Hovington to a disappointing ACL injury.
“The seniors are living by the motto that they have some unfinished business to take care of,” commented MacWilliams. “They know it is their last shot to make a run and are going to do everything it takes to complete their goals.”
Voted to finish sixth in the conference by the league's coaches, MacWilliams and the Owls have higher expectations. The Owls' mentor predicts that, “It's going to be a difficult year in the A-10 with very competitive teams. It's going to come down to the wire, but we look to come out on top.”
MacWilliams commanded his team to a
A repeat performance from the pair will ensure a winning season for the Owls. According to MacWilliams, “The key is to score about 30 goals. I expect that those two and the offense in general will be able to repeat in those categories (goals and assists) with the added maturity they have in their games.”
After a record setting season tallying 13 assists, Noone returns to once again give his teammates an opportunity to score. “J.T. turned some heads last season,” said MacWilliams of Noone. “Every time he steps on the field he is a threat, and teams are aware of his scoring ability and how good he is at putting his teammates in a position to score.”
Noone, a preseason All-America and 2009 Hermann Trophy Watch List honoree, provides MacWilliams and the Owls a phenomenal passer in the midfield. Puppolo, who tallied two goals and one assist, is expected to play a major role in the middle. Junior Max Kinderwater made ten starts a year ago and should see more time this season.
The Owls mentor expects no sophomore slump from Witmer. “
Witmer led the Owls in goals (8) during his freshman campaign and has the explosiveness to be the Owls main threat once again. Leading the charge from the front line with Witmer will be Coly and sophomore Chris Velasquez.
Defensively, MacWilliams lost his anchor in the departure of James Suevo, but retains the other key pieces to this stifling corps. In a unit that limited its opponents to a mere one goal a game (19 GA, 19 GP), 19-game starter junior Jared Harris and redshirt junior Chas Chupein will seek to shut down enemy scoring attacks once again. “Chas filled a role last year and looks to be a starter this season,” said MacWilliams. “He has shown great commitment to recover from his injury and make an impact on this team.” Also vying for time in the Owls backfield will be sophomores Rodrigo Zuleta and Bryan Keller.
In net, transfer-keeper Bret Mollon proved himself last year, making 19 starts while tying a school record with 9 shutouts. Mollon, who held a 0.88 goals against average in 2008, looks to be MacWilliams starter out of the gate this year. With Bryant Hosler recovered from injury, the senior will give the Owls depth in the box, possibly playing the role of starter.
“Hosler is another guy that I am very proud of,” commented MacWilliams. “He has stuck with it through two ACL injuries, shown great heart, and is back now competing for the starting job.”
As for the newcomers, MacWilliams and his staff are very excited about the talented group they have recruited for the 2009 squad. Joining the class of 2013 are goalkeepers Joseph Pacheco and Francis Nelms, midfielders John Glen and Homero Rodriguez, forward/midfielder Matt MacWilliams, and defender Billy Kappock. Joining the Owls from the class of 2012 is forward Evan Bransdorfer.
“Kappock looks to be a starter on our team, while Rodriguez and MacWilliams will also see time and play valuable roles,” expects MacWilliams.
The Cherry and White open the season with a two-game set at home, taking on Soccer Six foe Villanova and Lafayette. After competing in the Old Dominion STIHL Soccer Classic, the Owls return home for their longest home stand. Five non-conference games featuring Navy,
Pursuit of a coveted A-10 regular season crown begins on October 10, when TU visits rival
