Temple University Athletics
Friday, September 3
Easton, Pa.
2:30 p.m.
Temple University
vs
Colgate
Bret Mollon
Photo by: Joseph V. Labolito/Temple University
Men's Soccer Opens 2010 Slate Against Colgate On Friday
8.31.10 | Men's Soccer
Owls return three seniors, welcome talented class of newcomers
PHILADELPHIA - The Temple men's soccer program kicks off its 85th season of varsity competition as they take on Colgate in the opening round of the Lafayette Puma Classic, being played Friday, September 3 at 2:30 p.m. The Owls season-opening weekend will also feature a showdown with tournament host Lafayette on Sunday, September 5 at 2:30 p.m.
With the departure of a highly regarded senior class, eleventh-year head coach Dave MacWilliams expects an experienced group of seniors to fuel his team on the pitch this season. Solidifying the defense with a proven goal keeper in redshirt-senior Bret Mollon and a three-year starter in senior Jared Harris, the Owls will look to senior Max Kinderwater and junior Tyler Witmer to lead a youthful yet talented frontline in 2010.
"I think it's going to be difficult to replace the seniors that we lost," commented MacWilliams. "We had four starting seniors graduate last year and losing those guys makes for some tough shoes to fill, but I am confident the incoming class will do a great job to fill that void.”
Harris, a native of Lancaster, Pa., has not missed a start in 55 career matches with the Owls. He leads a defensive unit that preserved six shutouts last season allowing an average of just one goal a game. Rejoining Harris in the backfield will be sophomore Billy Kappock, a starter of every match in his collegiate debut in 2009. Junior Rodrigo Zuleta adds depth to the backline and will also be competing for a starting job.
“Jared has the most experience. He came in as a midfielder, started to play back and has solidified things in the back for us,” said MacWilliams. “I think he has done a great job there and he will stay in the back because of his experience and his composure.”
Having a trustworthy defense in front of him, Mollon returns for his third and final season with the Cherry and White knowing not many teams will threaten his crease. Bursting onto the scene with a school-record tying nine shutouts in 2008, the Washington, Mich. native turned in a six shutout performance in 2009 to earn Philadelphia Soccer Six All-Star honors. Providing depth to the position will be redshirt-freshman Fran Nelms, who sat out last season.
“Bret has become more of a leader each year,” said MacWilliams. “He has stepped up and become more vocal, and he knows his role. We are going to need more of that leadership from him this season.”
The graduation of multiple-school record holder J.T. Noone leaves the offense without one of the greatest passers to have played at Temple. The Owls will have to rely on several key returnees and a highly touted class of newcomers to tally in 2010.
Kinderwater has been a crucial part of MacWilliams' attack since his arrival in 2007, making double-digit starts in his first two seasons and starting a career-high 17 games a year ago.
Opponents know Witmer is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Amassing an impressive 14 goals over just two seasons, the Conrad Weiser product led the team in scoring in each of his first two years and possess the talent and poise to be the Owls' top point scorer again.
“Even though he didn't score as many goals last year as he did in his first season, we are hoping Tyler can get back to scoring eight to ten goals for us,” said MacWilliams. “I think that would be a very good year for him, and he is one of those guys that can consistently put balls in the back of the net for us.”
Several other returnees will be counted on to bolster the Temple attack, including senior Brian Henderson, who sat out the 2009 season but led the team in goals as a freshman. Juniors Evan Bransdorfer and Chris Velasquez, and sophomores Matt MacWilliams and Homero Rodriguez all saw significant action last season, each appearing in over half of the team's contests.
“Matt was our leading scorer in the spring and Evan has always been a goal scorer and were trying to find time where he can do that,” commented MacWilliams. “Chris had a tough year last year with injury, but he has a great pace and is one of the fastest players on our team. Homero also saw a lot of time in his first year, and with that experience can help us a lot in the midfield.”
Transferring to join the class of 2012 will be sophomores Cody Calafiore and Andrew Dodds. Calafiore appeared in 22 games at Monmouth last season registering three goals and two assists. Dodds also comes to the Owls from Monmouth, a two-time All-Main Line first team honoree who played locally at Haverford Prep.
MacWilliams and his staff have recruited what they consider one of the most talented groups of incoming freshman the Owls have seen in recent years. Headlining the class of 2013 is the 2009 Ohio State Player of the Year in Vaughn Spurrier, a very versatile athlete that can play both forward and midfield.
“I'm very impressed with the incoming freshman,” said MacWilliams. “Vaughn is definitely going to be an impact player and I can see why he was Player of the Year. He is very composed, has great vision, and we are expecting great things.”
Two Georgia Region 8-AAAA first team honorees in twin brothers Nolan and Sawyer Hemmer join the Owls. Nolan, Georgia's Region 8-AAAA Player of the Year, is a midfielder who provides Temple with an immediate impact player. Sawyer was named Georgia Region 8-AAAA first team and is a talented defenseman.
“Both of the Hemmers are big guys and will provide us with a presence in the back,” said MacWilliams. “They have played at high levels and will compete for starting jobs.”
The Owls have also recruited some of the top local talent in securing Dalton Carroll, an All-Delco selection who posted 31 points as a senior at Lower Merion. Sam Matthews is the lone keeper in the class, selected a 2009 Suburban One All-League honoree. Rounding out the class are 2009 All-Chest-Mont selections Drayt Friedman, Jake Lister and Ryan Bradbury, 2009 All-Middlesex County pick Austin Blakely, and Sam Speaker.
“Drayt is another big guy that will help us defensively,” commented MacWilliams. “Dalton is good player that will be an impact guy, while Ryan and Sam Speaker will compete for time in the midfield.”
The quest for a berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament begins with an always intense match hosting school rival Saint Joseph's on October 9. The Owls then make a trip to Ohio where they take on A-10 regular season champion Dayton (10/15) and Xavier (10/17). Returning home the following weekend, Temple will compete against Massachusetts on October 22 and Rhode Island on October 24.
The Owls' final two road contests could prove to be the most challenging, as they take on 2009 Conference Tournament champion Saint Louis (10/29) and NCAA Tournament participant Charlotte (10/31). The final home weekend pits them against George Washington on November 5 and Richmond on November 7. This year's A-10 Tournament will be held at the University of Rhode Island from November 11-14.
With the departure of a highly regarded senior class, eleventh-year head coach Dave MacWilliams expects an experienced group of seniors to fuel his team on the pitch this season. Solidifying the defense with a proven goal keeper in redshirt-senior Bret Mollon and a three-year starter in senior Jared Harris, the Owls will look to senior Max Kinderwater and junior Tyler Witmer to lead a youthful yet talented frontline in 2010.
"I think it's going to be difficult to replace the seniors that we lost," commented MacWilliams. "We had four starting seniors graduate last year and losing those guys makes for some tough shoes to fill, but I am confident the incoming class will do a great job to fill that void.”
Harris, a native of Lancaster, Pa., has not missed a start in 55 career matches with the Owls. He leads a defensive unit that preserved six shutouts last season allowing an average of just one goal a game. Rejoining Harris in the backfield will be sophomore Billy Kappock, a starter of every match in his collegiate debut in 2009. Junior Rodrigo Zuleta adds depth to the backline and will also be competing for a starting job.
“Jared has the most experience. He came in as a midfielder, started to play back and has solidified things in the back for us,” said MacWilliams. “I think he has done a great job there and he will stay in the back because of his experience and his composure.”
Having a trustworthy defense in front of him, Mollon returns for his third and final season with the Cherry and White knowing not many teams will threaten his crease. Bursting onto the scene with a school-record tying nine shutouts in 2008, the Washington, Mich. native turned in a six shutout performance in 2009 to earn Philadelphia Soccer Six All-Star honors. Providing depth to the position will be redshirt-freshman Fran Nelms, who sat out last season.
“Bret has become more of a leader each year,” said MacWilliams. “He has stepped up and become more vocal, and he knows his role. We are going to need more of that leadership from him this season.”
The graduation of multiple-school record holder J.T. Noone leaves the offense without one of the greatest passers to have played at Temple. The Owls will have to rely on several key returnees and a highly touted class of newcomers to tally in 2010.
Kinderwater has been a crucial part of MacWilliams' attack since his arrival in 2007, making double-digit starts in his first two seasons and starting a career-high 17 games a year ago.
Opponents know Witmer is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Amassing an impressive 14 goals over just two seasons, the Conrad Weiser product led the team in scoring in each of his first two years and possess the talent and poise to be the Owls' top point scorer again.
“Even though he didn't score as many goals last year as he did in his first season, we are hoping Tyler can get back to scoring eight to ten goals for us,” said MacWilliams. “I think that would be a very good year for him, and he is one of those guys that can consistently put balls in the back of the net for us.”
Several other returnees will be counted on to bolster the Temple attack, including senior Brian Henderson, who sat out the 2009 season but led the team in goals as a freshman. Juniors Evan Bransdorfer and Chris Velasquez, and sophomores Matt MacWilliams and Homero Rodriguez all saw significant action last season, each appearing in over half of the team's contests.
“Matt was our leading scorer in the spring and Evan has always been a goal scorer and were trying to find time where he can do that,” commented MacWilliams. “Chris had a tough year last year with injury, but he has a great pace and is one of the fastest players on our team. Homero also saw a lot of time in his first year, and with that experience can help us a lot in the midfield.”
Transferring to join the class of 2012 will be sophomores Cody Calafiore and Andrew Dodds. Calafiore appeared in 22 games at Monmouth last season registering three goals and two assists. Dodds also comes to the Owls from Monmouth, a two-time All-Main Line first team honoree who played locally at Haverford Prep.
MacWilliams and his staff have recruited what they consider one of the most talented groups of incoming freshman the Owls have seen in recent years. Headlining the class of 2013 is the 2009 Ohio State Player of the Year in Vaughn Spurrier, a very versatile athlete that can play both forward and midfield.
“I'm very impressed with the incoming freshman,” said MacWilliams. “Vaughn is definitely going to be an impact player and I can see why he was Player of the Year. He is very composed, has great vision, and we are expecting great things.”
Two Georgia Region 8-AAAA first team honorees in twin brothers Nolan and Sawyer Hemmer join the Owls. Nolan, Georgia's Region 8-AAAA Player of the Year, is a midfielder who provides Temple with an immediate impact player. Sawyer was named Georgia Region 8-AAAA first team and is a talented defenseman.
“Both of the Hemmers are big guys and will provide us with a presence in the back,” said MacWilliams. “They have played at high levels and will compete for starting jobs.”
The Owls have also recruited some of the top local talent in securing Dalton Carroll, an All-Delco selection who posted 31 points as a senior at Lower Merion. Sam Matthews is the lone keeper in the class, selected a 2009 Suburban One All-League honoree. Rounding out the class are 2009 All-Chest-Mont selections Drayt Friedman, Jake Lister and Ryan Bradbury, 2009 All-Middlesex County pick Austin Blakely, and Sam Speaker.
“Drayt is another big guy that will help us defensively,” commented MacWilliams. “Dalton is good player that will be an impact guy, while Ryan and Sam Speaker will compete for time in the midfield.”
The quest for a berth in the Atlantic 10 Tournament begins with an always intense match hosting school rival Saint Joseph's on October 9. The Owls then make a trip to Ohio where they take on A-10 regular season champion Dayton (10/15) and Xavier (10/17). Returning home the following weekend, Temple will compete against Massachusetts on October 22 and Rhode Island on October 24.
The Owls' final two road contests could prove to be the most challenging, as they take on 2009 Conference Tournament champion Saint Louis (10/29) and NCAA Tournament participant Charlotte (10/31). The final home weekend pits them against George Washington on November 5 and Richmond on November 7. This year's A-10 Tournament will be held at the University of Rhode Island from November 11-14.
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