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Princeton University Athletics
2005 Men's Soccer Season Outlook
August 31, 2005 | Men's Soccer
Aug. 31, 2005
Fresh faces to go along with a still-hungry attitude. That's the situation as the 2005 Princeton men's soccer season begins, as the Tigers still have plenty left despite graduating a chunk of their starting cast from last season.
Princeton will open what is shaping up to be an exciting 2005 season with optimistic goals after finishing in a tie for second place in the Ivy League a year ago. Its roster is full of experienced returnees, who played vital roles in last season's run for the title, as well as a competitive freshman core that is eager to contribute.
"We are excited and optimistic going into the season," says head coach Jim Barlow. "We had a good year in 2004 and return the majority of players from that team. These upperclassmen have provided strong leadership and the team continued to improve in the spring. Add in some talented freshmen and we think we could have a special squad this fall."
Following last season's sensational play the squad will follow the leadership of senior captain Darren Spicer, who not only led the team and league in scoring with 25 points, but was also named the 2004 Ivy League Player of the Year.
"Darren is a great guy to have leading the team this season," notes Barlow. "Not only does he produce on the field, but he is a great role model off the field. He is a hard-working guy who never makes excuses and accepts responsibility. The team looks up to him."
With the loss of key role players, the Tigers are confident that hard work in the offseason will fill the holes left behind.
"While we did graduate a great group of seniors, we do return a strong nucleus of players with a lot of experience," says Barlow. "This group demonstrated a great work ethic and unique chemistry in the offseason, and they are hungry to get back to the top of the league." More than 80 percent of Princeton's scoring from last season returns to the field in the fall. The Tigers lose the services of Sean Paylor this season due to a lingering injury and lost Ryan Rich and Teddy van Beuren to graduation, but have players that are hungry for goals and posses the ability to score.
Look for seniors Adrian Melville and Darren Spicer to rekindle their chemistry up front. Melville was second in scoring and tallied a career-high six goals last season.
"Melville is very good at getting at the end of crosses, especially in dangerous places around the goal," says Barlow.
Spicer's 12 goals improved upon a four-goal performance from the year prior and set the pace for the league.
Senior Bolko Rokicki and sophomores Ted Wolfson and Kyle McHugh will compete for action at the forward position. Rokicki is a strong, athletic force, who makes it difficult for defenders to stop him, while Wolfson is also dangerous with his tricky footwork. McHugh returns to the roster after taking a year off.
The largest vacancy in the starting lineup will be in the midfield due to the graduation of five players, including team leaders Doug Hare and Teddy van Beuren. The spring and offseason benefited the Tigers in chemistry and skill, allowing position changes to occur to make up for the losses. Alex Rieson, Matt Kontos and Spicer may all see time in the midfield now.
"All three of these guys are talented players that could all wind up in the midfield," says Barlow. "They would be a great combination of athleticism and would be an engine to keep the team moving and connected since they can make things happen with the ball."
Senior Ben Young returns to the midfield with experience and leadership qualities. "Young is good at getting by defenders and getting crosses in," recalls Barlow. "In the spring, he showed he had the ability to set up goals and was very dangerous in making his plays count."
Junior Zach Schwarz has seen a lot of time in his first two years and can play on the left and in the middle. Sophomores Mike Jester, David Metcalf and Victor Noscov all showed signs of improvement in the spring and will challenge for time in the fall. Junior James Hohnau, who was injured for most of the 2004 season, is a great passer and will look for time in the midfield, too. Freshmen Jason Adams, Matt Care and Brad Fechter are all good with the ball and can add weapons on the attack. Brian Brady also has experience in the midfield.
Princeton's backs anchored a defense that held opponents to a .136 shot percentage last season. Since the Tigers were young, then, all four will again suit up for the 2005 season.
"All four starters return to the back position," says Barlow. "We are confident in the experience that will be represented there."
Returning to the left back position is senior Neil Chaudhuri, who is one of six athletes to start all 17 games last year.
Junior Jame Wunsch will play in the middle, while sophomore Robbie Morgenroth returns to guard the right side. Kontos started in the middle of the defense last season but may move to the midfield thanks to a good spring.
Sophomore Dan Cummins, who plays center back, "had a really good spring and made great strides" to add depth to the position. Senior Marc Dubois and junior Rachman Blake both saw action at the right and left back positions last year. Sophomore Scott Callahan will compete for a center back spot, while newcomers Pat Farrell and Brady are both athletic enough to immediately add depth, as well.
The graduation of two-year starter Erik White leaves a void in the goalie box for the Orange and Black this season. The Tigers will rely on the experience of senior Bobby Guelich, who backed up White the last two seasons. Guelich played in three games in 2004 and tallied 12 saves, while allowing three goals in 129 minutes.
"Guelich has confidence and experience," says Barlow. "He has played well in the games he saw time in the past few years and is great in commanding the box."
Providing depth and strength at goalkeeper will be junior Justin Oppenheimer and newcomer Joe Walter.
"We feel like there is talent and depth in each part of the field," notes Barlow. "Now we have to figure out how it all comes together."
The 2005 schedule is loaded with quality that promises for exciting action this fall. Princeton will play nine games at Lourie-Love Field, including the return of the Princeton Tournament in mid-September.
"We are excited about having a lot of home games this season. Many of the teams we play will provide excitement because of the history we have with them."
The Tigers open the season against Loyola, which is hungry to avenge the loss Princeton laid on them last season. The Orange and Black will then hit the road to face American before hosting the Princeton Tournament the following weekend.
"We are excited to play Akron because they are a team that went to the NCAA's last season and will be a very big test for us early in the season," says Barlow. "FDU is a team that we play every year. They knocked us out of the NCAA tournament three years ago."
Princeton will face non-league opponents Drexel, Adelphi and Rutgers before opening the Ivy League against Dartmouth on the first weekend of October.
"All eight teams in the Ivy League are good and capable of winning the league," Barlow says. "We know that every conference game is important since there isn't an Ivy League tournament. There is a lot on the line in every game, both in and out of the league."