Aug. 18, 2008

Stony Brook, N.Y. - Perhaps the most experienced position on the team is the defensive line where Stony Brook returns all of its starters and all but one player who saw action in 2007. Included in that group is the Seawolves' defensive captain and a preseason All-Big South selection, senior Adam Soivilien (Dorchester, Mass.)

In 2007 Soivilien led the Seawolves in tackles (70), tackles for loss (8.5) and sacks (3.0) and brings a blue collar approach to the game. Another senior among the starting front three, James Harris (Piscataway, N.J.) matched Soivilien in sacks and has the tools to emerge as a dominant lineman in the Big South. Senior Will Martinez (Downey, Calif.) will anchor the defensive front from his nose tackle position where he started every game in 2007 for Stony Brook.

More senior experience is available along the defensive front in the persons of Dominic Chevalier (Pittsburg, Calif.), who started five games in his first year in the program and finished with 20 tackles, and David Gross (Wichita Falls, Texas) who totaled 17 stops in 2007. Junior Josh Auerbach (Langhorne, Pa.) also brings plenty of experience to the table, with 14 games of playing time over his first two years in the program. Redshirt freshmen Ryan Haber (Lafayette Hill, Pa.) and Adam Mika (Syracuse, N.Y.) spent last season learning to SBU defensive scheme and give the Seawolves two more lineman with experience in the program.

Adding his name to the mix as a true freshman will be Long Island product Raenard Reid (Hempstead, N.Y.) who was a all-conference player at Uniondale High School.

"On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive line is our most experienced position," remarked head coach Chuck Priore. "We've got six returning players that were on the field, of which five are seniors. That's five seniors from a leadership standpoint, five seniors that have played the game, that have been in the weight room, and understand what the game's about."