Aug. 26, 2014

Stony Brook, N.Y. - From 2010-2012 the Stony Brook men’s soccer team was the winningest program in the America East, totaling 31 victories. The consistency over that span suggests that the #Seawolves 6-10-1 record in 2013 was more of an anomaly than a serious concern and the 2014 Seawolves are ready to respond. With the additions of redshirt freshman Fernando Wadskier (Caracas, Venezuela), junior Jevaughn Vance (Arima, Trinidad) and a talented group of freshmen, Anatol expects to unveil a much more dynamic team in the attack.

“I felt we were solid defensively,” said Anatol in reflecting upon 2013. “We wanted to be better going forward and I think we have developed and also added some pieces that will allow us to be more dynamic and dictate the game by playing in our opponent’s half.”

With his team’s offensive shortcomings now addressed, Anatol believes he has assembled the deepest squad he has had since his arrival in 2011.

“We have really good depth this year and our overall quality has improved across the board,” said Anatol. “We have guys that can play in different spots which will make us a more versatile team. Our biggest challenge will be developing chemistry and timing between our returning and new players so that we can find a rhythm and be aggressive in the attack.”

Goalkeepers 

Redshirt freshman Tom McMahon (Nassau Bay, Texas) and sophomore Jason Orban (Manorville, N.Y.) are entrenched in a battle for the no. 1 goalkeeper position. Orban started seven games last season for the #Seawolves, posting a 3-4 record with two shutouts, 23 saves and a 1.29 goals against average. McMahon has had a year to develop and has impressed the coaches with his form in the preseason. Freshman David Hay (Clarksburg, Md.) also provides solid depth to the unit and the coaching staff is looking forward to watching him develop during the season.

Defense

The big question mark surrounding the Seawolves in 2013 was how their back line would hold up with four first-year starters. What was a question mark a year ago is now a strength as junior Mario Mesen (Brujas, Costa Rica) and sophomores Kofi Ramirez Osei-Tutu (Trondheim, Norway), Tavares Thompson (Kingston, Jamaica) and Rodrigo Uriarte (Phoenix, Ariz.) all return. Add freshmen Barnabas Mako (Budapest, Hungary) and Danny Espinoza (East Meadow, N.Y.) to the mix, both of whom have had stellar preseason camps, and the Seawolves should boast a reliable and dependable unit. Despite their youth and inexperience, the young Stony Brook defense managed five clean sheets in 2013. Thompson spearheaded the group en route to America East All-Rookie honors. He will be one of four capable center backs to see the field along with Mesen, Osei-Tutu and Mako. Espinoza has emerged as the potential right back with Osei-Tutu as another option at the position. Uriarte started 14 games at left back a season ago and figures to play another prominent role this year. Another intriguing option for the coaches is to play junior Alejandro Fritz (Budapest, Hungary) as an attacking left wing back. He scored eight goals in his first two seasons and his ability to join the attack and deliver quality service which could be a valuable asset for the Seawolves. Freshman Jaret Petras (Ardsley, N.Y.) will also fight to see time in the back.

Midfield

The Seawolves, behind second-team America East selection Martin Giordano (Weston, Fla.), return a formidable midfield. Giordano, a junior, orchestrated the Seawolves attack in 2013 finishing second in the America East with six assists. He will occupy one of the outside midfield positions opposite a host of candidates. Anatol could play Fritz higher up the pitch at left midfield position or he could plug in Vance or freshman Thibault Duval (Grace Hollogne, Belgium). Both have tremendous pace and a flair for creativity on the ball. Duval and Vance are also the leading candidates to feature at attacking midfield and are interchangeable on the pitch. The backbone of the Stony Brook midfield is in the defensive midfield. Sophomore midfielders Favio Sbarra (Caracas, Venezuela) and Jorge Torres (Miami, Fla.) both return after enjoying strong freshmen campaigns. They will make up a rotation with freshman Vince Erdei (Budapest, Hungary), who specializes in breaking up play and adds some strong defensive qualities to the position. The midfield is another area where the Seawolves have an abundance of depth. Redshirt freshman Leonardo Rubio (Liverpool, N.Y.) can also play one of the holding midfield positions or out wide, freshman Stefan Gualano (Mamaroneck, N.Y.) is an option at the advanced midfield position, and sophomore Eduardo Valle (Miami, Fla.), redshirt freshman Dario Vanegas (Miami, Fla.), and freshmen Akeem Morris (Elmont, N.Y.) and Doug Toledo (Smithtown, N.Y.) can all play on the outside.

Forwards  

The Seawolves will rely on more production from their forward lineup to solve their goal scoring woes from last season. Senior Keith McKenna (Great River, N.Y.) returns after enjoying a breakthrough season in 2013. He scored his first four career goals a season ago and hopes to add to the total this year. Wadskier’s presence should also help. The 6''3" Venezuelan gives the Seawolves a more traditional target forward option where he will be counted on to use his large frame to hold up the ball, maintain possession and capitalize on his scoring opportunities. Freshmen Andreas Aderiye (Germantown, Md.) provides depth up top and will be counted on to give Wadskier and McKenna a spell.

Schedule

If the Seawolves want to get back on top of the America East, they will have to navigate their way through a daunting schedule which features four match-ups with teams that have competed in the NCAA Tournament within the past two years. The featured game on the slate is a showdown with Connecticut on Sept. 1 in Storrs, Conn. The Huskies, who are ranked no. 8 in the NSCAA National Preseason Coaches Poll, have been on the verge of a national title in recent years, bowing out of the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals in each of the last three seasons. Another game of note is a home match against UMBC on Nov. 5. The Retrievers are the reigning America East champion and were picked first in the conference preseason coaches’ poll; Stony Brook was picked fourth. The Seawolves will open the season on Friday, Aug. 29 at Central Connecticut.