2011 Men's Soccer Preview
With his promotion to Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, the Mike Mooney era of Geneseo men's soccer has ended after 26 years and a record of 262-186-47. The Blue Knights turn to seven-year assistant coach Dominic Oliveri (Geneseo '01) as the new bench leader and the first year head coach is optimistic with nine returning starters from last year's 9-7-2 team.
Oliveri returns the entire starting defensive unit with senior Sam Murphy (Huntington Station/Walt Whitman) poised between the pipes after posting a 1.41 goals against average in playing 1,021 of 1,660 minutes last season.
Seniors Matt Solimano (Webster/Thomas) and Nick Cava (Syracuse/Jamesville-DeWitt) return to the outside marking back positions, while junior Rob Loccisano (Hauppauge) and sophomore Pat Lynch (Canandaigua) play centrally.
On the offensive end, senior Ian Mort (Rochester/McQuaid), who led the SUNYAC with 22 points on 10 goals and two assists, returns after earning first team All-SUNYAC honors and teams with sophomore Ryan Yurchak (Clifton Park/Shenendehowa), who totalled two goals in his rookie campaign.
The Blue Knights are deep and experienced in the midfield with eight returners and one newcomer. Senior Colin Begy (East Amherst/Williamsville East) earned third team All-SUNYAC after leading the team with six assists, while senior John Piaggione (East Amherst/Williamsville North) controlled the middle of the field, scoring a goal and three assists while starting all 18 games for the second straight year.
Senior Will Slevin (West Sayville/Sayville) returns to the starting squad on the outside and junior Alex Stephan (Clarence) moves into a starting role in the middle. Senior James Hainsworth (Pittsford/Sutherland) and sophomore Craig Schackner (Dix Hills/Half Hollow Hills West), who was second on the team with five goals in 2010, will see playing time.
Seniors Ken DiDonna (West Islip) and Sam Lentine (Penfield), along with junior exchange student Jop Smit (Ten Boer, The Netherlands/Rolling), appear most likely to push the top six for playing time in the midfield.
First years Neil Allen (Pittsford/Sutherland) and Richard Bellusci (Lynbrook) will spell Mort and Yurchak on the front line, while junior Nick Voggel (Tully) and sophomore Dan Maddock (Delmar/Bethlehem) provide backup to Murphy in nets.
Four returning players give Oliveri depth in the back with seniors Ed Shanley (Massapequa), Colin Hack (Baldwinsville/Baker) and Andy Lucarelli (Webster/Thomas), along with sophomore Mat Rough (Warwick/Warwick Valley).
Geneseo's roster includes sophomore forward Tom Glose (Syacuse/Marcellus), sophomore midfielder Joe Lipsky (Plainview/Plainview-Old Bethpage-JFK) and first year defenders Jason Harris (East Amherst/Williamsville North) and Tyler Chauncey (Rochester/Greece Athena).
The Knights open their season by travelling to the Penn State Behrend tournament on Saturday, September 3, with the home opener coming on Saturday, September 17 versus York (NY) College at 1 p.m.