2007 Men's Soccer Season Preview
The
2007 Penn State Behrend men’s soccer program looks to another year to
compete in its competitive AMCC conference. This year’s team will
feature 14 new members, including two transfer players. These newcomers will join
16 returning players to make a run for the AMCC Championship title. Now in
his fifteenth year, coach Dan Perritano looks for this season to be a
positive one. “We should be very improved defensively," said Perritano.
"We have good experienced players returning to key positions and we hope to
be playing well at the end.”
In 2006 the Behrend Lions went 8-9-2 overall, making the AMCC playoffs for the tenth consecutive season, closing out with a loss to top-seeded Medaille, and finishing with a conference record of 5-3-1. This Behrend Lions team has made seven final appearances, winning three titles in 1997, 1999, and 2003 and in 2007 coach Perritano’s goal for his squad is to be number one again. “I am very excited about our group, they are very competitive and fit. I feel we can compete to win the league,” said Perritano.
Joining the men’s soccer program in 2007 will be new assistant coach Brian Blaszczyk. He was a four-year starter for the Behrend Lions from 2002 to 2006. As a former team captain he was a three-time all conference player and also earned Great Lakes All-Region honors as a senior. Blaszczyk has been a coach of the Lake Erie Soccer Club for five years.
Four seniors will be returning in 2007 for one final season. Team captain and goalkeeper Matt Zirnsak (Butler/Butler) will be returning after missing last season due to injury. Prior to 2006, Zirnsak posted 11 career shutouts with a goals against average of 0.90. Daryl Nowacki (Warren/Warren) and first-team All-AMCC player David Baleno (Pittsburgh/Plum) will be looked upon for break-out offense from the midfield. Also, midfielder Jamie Thomas (Erie/McDowell) returns for a last year with the Behrend squad.
Returning for the junior class are four top players for the men’s squad. Defenders Keith DeNinno (Allison Park/Hampton) who started all nineteen games as a sophomore and Adam Cline (Pittsburgh/Thomas Jefferson) will keep the blue and white’s defense anchored. Midfielder Marcus Taylor (Landisville/Hempfield and team top-scorer Ahmad Salim (Cranberry/Seneca Valley) will look to spark the blue and white offense. “We have a lot of attacking and goal scoring options with these players,” said Perritano. All-AMCC midfielder Mike Seth (Pittsburgh/Baldwin) will join the Behrend squad in 2007 after spending his first two years at Pitt-Bradford.
The
sophomore class looks to return eight players in 2007. These include forwards Jarerett Carlson (Washington, Chartiers Houston), Jerry Tortella
(Pittsburgh/Thomas Jefferson), and Mark DelGreco (Pittsburgh/Seton LaSalle).
Returning to the midfielde will be Eric Murillo (Pittsburgh/Montour) and
James Fedorka (Irwin/Norwin). Protecting the Behrend goal will be
defenders Phil Knittle (Erie/McDowell) and Bryan Margaria (Avella/Trinity). Goalkeeper Dustin Walker (Kiski/Kiski)
will be competing for the number one shirt. “We should have a very
competitive battle for our keeper position between Zirnsak and Walker. They
are both great goalies,” said Perritano.
The blue and white bring in a freshmen class with talent and promise for future years. Forwards Shane Flowers (North Huntingdon/Norwin) and Ryan Banks (Allison Park/Hampton) will come in to help out the offense efforts. While Carlton Taylor (Landsiville/Hempfield), Joshua Teti (Mckeesport/Elizabeth Forward), Brian Bodnar (Murrysville/Franklin Regional), Nick Spring (Erie/Harborcreek), and Lance Sabol (North Huntingdon/Norwin) will push for midfield positions. Defenders Scott Faller (Mars/Seneca Valley), Kenneth Gorman (Cranberry/Seneca Valley), Zach Herd (Stowe/Stowe), and Jordan Hoffay (McKees Rocks/Montour) will help secure the Behrend defense. Defender Brian Silfee (McMurray/Peters Township) joins the men's program after spending his freshman year at Dayton.
The blue and white will open the season with two early season tournaments. The annual Herb Lauffer Memorial Tournament is set for September 1 and 2, where they will be facing D'Youville. The next stop will be the Fredonia State tournament when where they will match off against Fredonia and Mt. Union. Conference play will begin on September 22 for the blue and white, facing off against Mt. Aloysius. “The conference will once again be very competitive,” said Perritano. “Medaille, Altoona, Lake Erie, and Frostburg all have a shot. Our goal is to win the league.” Perritano further stated, “A good start will be important. We finished the season strong going 7-3 over our last ten games and hopefully we carry that confidence with us as we start the 2007 season.”