Aug. 25, 2011
It’s a new era for Stony Brook men’s soccer team under first-year head coach Ryan Anatol, but don’t mistake new eras for rebuilding projects as Anatol comes in with a team loaded with talent. The Seawolves return 18 letterwinners from last season’s team, including a pair of All-America East performers. Picked to finish fourth in the conference by the coaches, the Seawolves will look to exceed those expectations and compete for the program’s third America East championship.
“The focus for us has been one through twenty-five on the roster,” Anatol said. “We are playing like a team, and right now everyone is giving maximum effort and displaying the right attitude. The seniors have led the way as they are the ones providing the leadership. I’m happy with the results of our preseason and excited to start playing our matches.”
Preseason commenced Aug. 11, and the Seawolves played two exhibition contests. They tied Adelphi at home 0-0 although they outshot the Panthers and had more corner kicks. Then they narrowly lost at Connecticut 3-2 despite a strong effort.
Now the season commences Saturday at Lehigh, the first match of a very competitive schedule that will include Pittsburgh, High Point plus seven challenging America East games.
Men’s Soccer Gameday
Game #1: Stony Brook Seawolves (0-0) at Lehigh Mountain Hawks (0-0)
Sat., Aug. 27 • Ulrich Sports Complex • Bethlehem, Pa. • 7 p.m.
LIVE: STATS & VIDEO
Stony Brook Seawolves (0-0, 0-0 America East)
Head Coach: Ryan Anatol, first season
Career Record: 0-0
Record at SBU: same
Lehigh Mountain Hawks (0-0, 0-0 Patriot League)
Head Coach: Dean Koski, 20th season
Scouting the Opponent: Lehigh has been picked to finish fourth in the Patriot League this season, although the Mountain Hawks have finished second and advanced to the conference tournament semifinals in each of the last two seasons. The team returns its top two point-scorers in Joe Puleo (nine points) and Neal Melchionni (eight points).
Preseason Poll: The Seawolves were picked to finish fourth in the America East preseason poll, according to the league’s eight head coaches. Stony Brook is behind defending champion UMBC, Boston University and New Hampshire.
Strong Incumbents: Stony Brook returns 18 letterwinners from last season’s team that finish 10-7-3 and advanced to the America East Championship semifinals. Among the returnees are America East Midfielder of the Year Leonardo Fernandes and second-team All-America East forward Raphael Abreu. The team returns 92 percent of its goal scoring offense, and Fernandes, Abreu and Berian Gobeil Cruz combined to score 19 goals.
Going for the Title: The Seawolves previously have captured two America East Championships, winning titles in 2005 and 2009. The team will look to win its third championship and advance to the NCAA Tournament, where it previously has won with a 2005 victory over Yale.
