Oct. 26, 2005
Stony Brook University is poised to take a big step in men's soccer, and it could come soon. The Seawolves, who have won four of their last five games and lost just once in the last month, play at No. 4 Duke tonight with a chance to plunge into the national scene.
"We realize what that game can do for us in terms of respectability and our own aspirations," second-year Stony Brook coach Cesar Markovic said. "We have the potential to become the next big power on the East Coast. We have all of the ingredients to be that successful."
That's quite a swing from a team that two years ago won only four of its 18 games. But Markovic said he doesn't believe in "long-term projects" and not focusing on winning right away would be a "waste of time." The Seawolves haven't dilly-dallied in their turnaround; they are 9-3-3 so far this season and in second place in the America East at 4-1-1.
On Saturday they posted their first ever win over a nationally-ranked team, beating No. 19 Vermont, 1-0. With two conference games remaining, there's a good chance Stony Brook will host an America East Tournament game, and it could receive a bye to the semifinal round as a No. 1 or No. 2 seed.
The key this season has been a mix of youth and experience. Sophomore Michael Palacio leads the team with six goals and 19 points and is one of four players with more than 10 points. Senior goalie John Moschella has battled injuries this year, but four of his starts have been shutouts and he made a beautiful batting save in the win over Vermont.
"Last year we started to mature as a team," Palacio said, "but this fall we've pulled it together."
Markovic said he felt the team change into contenders this month when it went to Boston University and dominated for a 2-0 win, then followed it up with another 2-0 road win at New Hampshire.
"Usually after a big win the team won't be focused and it can fall flat on its face," Markovic said. "It was at that point I knew we were for real and we had a legitimate shot at the league."
That would mean a place in the NCAA Tournament for a team that, until last year, had never even qualified for its conference tournament. Expectations have risen quickly at Stony Brook.
"I know we can win the championship," senior Douglas Narvaez said, "and we can give a hard time to any team we play in the NCAAs."
Still, there's little shot of an at-large bid. The Seawolves are unranked in the nation and No. 6 in the latest NSCAA New York Regional poll, force of habit likely keeping them low on many of those ballots.
A win tonight changes all of that.
