Aug. 31, 2007

Stony Brook, N.Y. - One word to describe the 2007 Stony Brook men's soccer team is change. A lot of changes that is. Gone are key members from the 2005 Championship team in Adam Ciklic, Tamer Mohamed and Zach Norwood. However, a young team hunted in 2006 will once again be the hunter in 2007.

Head Coach Cesar Markovic will rely on key returners Michael Palacio (Long Beach, N.Y.), Yahaya Musa (Elmont, N.Y.), and Mahamadou Simpara (Bamako, Mali). Redshirt senior Matt Avellino (Merrick, N.Y.), who sat out 2006 rehabbing an injury, will be one of the captains in 2007 and looked upon to provide leadership. "Above and beyond anything else, our seniors need to provide our younger guys with a lot of leadership," said Markovic. "The younger and inexperienced guys were thrown into the mix last year. This year, those guys are ready to step up," said Markovic.

Markovic has brought in a top recruiting class consisting of local and international players and has put together a trememdous schedule consisting of six teams that made the NCAA tournament and 13 teams that had an RPI in the top 100. "We've brought in our best recruiting class to date," said Markovic. "A key to our success will be how quickly this group meshes together by the time our conference season is upon us."

Midfield

Senior Michael Palacio anchors the midfield in 2007 for the Seawolves. Palacio is a two-time first team all-conference selection as well as an all-northeast region selection. "Michael means everything to us," said Markovic. "Simply put, he's in another class of players. His vision of the field is something other plays don't see. He's clearly one of the best players in the conference and that was evident by his selection as midfielder of the year. As a senior, he's come a long way. He's developed tremendously as a student-athlete and person. I believe he has the potential and drive to play professional soccer." Joining Palacio in the midfield will be redshirt senior Matt Avellino. Avellino is back in 2007 after rehabbing an injury. A key member of the 2005 Championship team, Avellino is one of the more experienced members of the team. "Matt has been a great leader for this team," said Markovic. "He's recovered fully from an injury and is stronger than ever. The younger guys look at his determination to get the job done and that's why I named him captain." Petar Rakovic (Kragujevac, Serbia), a transfer from St. John's, will also see significant time at the midfield position. "Petar is a great acquisition for us," said Markovic. "He's a great crosser and has an impressive free kick. His awareness and presence will help us as well." Players who will also compete for time at the position are Daniel Salazar (Brentwood, N.Y.) as well as freshmen Mark Secko (Shoreham, N.Y.), Michele Aquino (Franklin Square, N.Y.), Mladen Ramic (Belgrade, Serbia) and Mihailo Pavlisin (Subotica, Serbia).

Defense

The defense was one of the strengths for Stony Brook in 2006 and will be again in 2007. Senior Mahamadou Simpara moves from the midfield to defense in 2007. "Mahamadou will be playing a new position for us this year but I believe it is his best position," said Markovic. "He will gain a lot of exposure playing defense and I expect it well help his ability to play at the next level." Kevin Muller (Brentwood, N.Y.) and Yahaya Musa, mainstays in the back for Stony Brook will both see significant time this season. Muller played in 18 of 19 games last season and was a steady addition to the team. Musa started 17 games for Stony Brook and was honored as a first team all-conference selection. Musa will join Avellino as captain this season. Martin Lynch (Oceanside, N.Y.) and Collin Geoghegan (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), both of whom saw significant time last season along with Damion Brown will all battle for spots as defenders.

Goalkeepers

Senior Rich Skoblicki (North Patchogue, N.Y.) returns as the only keeper who played significant minutes in 2006. Skoblicki took over the keeper duties midway through last season and didn't miss a beat. Skoblicki played in eight games last season and gave up just three goals in 660:35. Skoblicki had a 0.41 goals against average and three shutouts. "Rich was solid for us last season," said Markovic. "His steadiness in goal was a big factor in us making the postseason." Competing with Skoblicki for the starting nod will be incoming freshmen Mazen Chami and Dawid Ditrich. Chami is a 6'4'' native of Jos, Nigeria with tremendous upside. A native of Gdansk, Poland, Ditrich is 6'7'' and provides the Seawolves with a lot of presence. "Dawid covers a lot of ground and for someone his size, he's quite athletic," said Markovic. Redshirt junior Dan Zori (Levittown, N.Y.) will also compete for time.

Forwards

After scoring just 15 goals, one of the improvements to the team will have to made up front. Sebastian Villa (Forest Hills, N.Y.) could be one of those players to see significant minutes. Villa is a dangerous scorer with quick feet and was the team's leading scorer in their spring tournament. Oscar Leis (Ozone Park, N.Y.), an America East all-rookie selection last season will also see time at striker. "Oscar has a knack for scoring big goals in big games," said Markovic. Leis' three of four goals scored last season were game-winners. Maurice Brown (Clarendon, Jamaica), who sat out last season, could also prove to be a force. "Maurice is an unknown commodity," said Markovic. "His potential and upside is tremendous. I expect good things from Maurice in 2007."

Two others players who will compete for time are Gadiel Figueroa (Caguas, Puerto Rico) and James Palumbo (Carmel, N.Y.). Figueroa is a useful utility player who filled in nicely last season. Palumbo had a great spring for the Seawolves as he was named the team's Most Impoved Player.

Schedule

The 2007 men's soccer schedule is by far the team's most challenging to date in Division I. "Our players really wanted me to put together a tough schedule," said Markovic. "Our non-conference schedule is as good as anyone's and will prepare us for America East play."

The Seawolves will scrimmage Fairleigh Dickinson to begin the season. "FDU is a solid team that will help us measure ourselves," said Markovic. After the annual alumni game, the Seawolves open up the regular season at Seton Hall. "Seton Hall is a perennial Big East contender and will be opening up a new stadium."

One of the early highlights of the non-conference schedule is a match against UConn. "UConn is a favorite to win the College Cup each season. This will be a tremendous opportunity for our team to face competition this good early in the season," said Markovic.

The first home game of the season will be against Long Island rival Hofstra on September 7. "This will be a battle of Long Island," said Markovic. "This game always brings out a certain level of intensity." After games on the road against the Ivy League's Columbia and Long Island's Adelphi, the only team to beat Stony Brook at home last season, the Seawolves return to LaValle Stadium for three of the next four games.

Stony Brook hosts the MAAC's Niagara for just the second time in school history. The Seawolves are once again on the road for another tough match against an NCAA tournament team in Towson. "Towson is going to be another good test for our team," said Markovic. "They had one of the top RPI's last season."

Two home games against Marist and William and Mary will continue to provide an early test before Stony Brook takes on what will prove to be the highlight of the 2007 schedule.

A match against first time opponent and 2005 NCAA Champion Maryland takes place on October 2. "You could say that Maryland has been the best team in college soccer the last 10 years. They've made it to the College Cup Final Four four times and won the whole thing in 2005," said Markovic.

The Seawolves open up their conference schedule at UMBC, who they beat last season 2-0, on October 6. Two home matches against Hartford and Vermont kick-off the team's conference schedule at home. Stony Brook is back on the road to face New Hampshire on October 17 and Boston University, who they upset 1-0, on October 20. The team takes on state-rival Albany on October 24 before travelling to Orono to take on Maine on October 24. The final two games of the season are at home against Yale on October 31 and Binghamton on November 3.