(Nashua, N.H.) - A year removed from a record breaking season,
the Daniel Webster College men's soccer team kicks off its 2009
campaign this coming Thursday, September 10th as the Eagles host
Nichols College in a non-conference matchup beginning at 3:00
p.m.
The Eagles, who broke the all time program wins record with an 9-8
overall record (4-2 NECC) last season, were tabbed second of eight
teams in the annual New England Collegiate Conference preseason
coaches' poll, released late last week.
The poll was as close as close can get with defending tournament
champion Becker College taking the top spot by just a single point.
The Hawks earned 55 points and four first place votes, while the
Eagles earned 54 points and three first place votes. Mitchell
College was pegged third with 48 points and the remaining first
place vote.
The Eagles 2008 season was unprecedented as the squad broke the
program record for wins in a season that had stood since 1993. In
fact, the nine victories surpassed the previous four season win
total combined. The Eagles would go on to play in their first
postseason playoff game since 2003 and just their third in program
history.
Second year Head Coach Bill Lawler, who earned NECC Co-Coach of the
Year honors after guiding the Eagles to the greatest turnaround in
the College's history (2-13-2 in 2007), returns 11 letter winners
and welcomes nine newcomers including four players that earned all
conference recognition.
"We are young," said Lawler. "With 11 sophomores, nine freshmen,
and just two upperclassmen, we'll look to grow together as a team
as the season progresses. But our upperclassmen give us great
leadership and perspective. It's a process and we recognize that
we'll need to settle into our systems and work together."
"We recognize the need to work hard on and off the field to set our
style of play," Lawler continued. "We expect to be composed and
prepared, physically, tactically, and mentally and carry that style
in each of our games."
The Eagles' top two point getters return in sophomores Spencer
Bernard (Windsor Locks, Conn.) and Alex Jackson (Kent, Ohio), who
both earned Second Team All Conference accolades. Bernard led the
squad with eight goals and added two assists for a team high 18
points, while Jackson added a 5-1-11 clip.
Fellow all conference honorable mention honorees include junior
midfielder Samson Kiberu (Waltham, Mass.) who started 16 of 17
games. Sophomore keeper Joe Keene (Bristol, N.H.) posted a 1.33 GAA
with four shutouts in just under 1,150 minutes, finishing with a
6-5 record.
The Eagles will also look to veteran experience with the return of
senior captain Andre Garcia (Springfield, Mass.) who missed last
season due to injury. Garcia finished as the team's second highest
point getter as a sophomore. Sophomores Nicholas Klesh (Bedford,
N.H.), Andrew Donovan (Milford, N.H.), Tim Amberman (York, Penn.),
Richard Trafton (Raymond, N.H.), and Adam Radl (Stowe, Mass.).
"There are going to be some growing pains," added Lawler. "But we
have the talent and athleticism to be very successful. Despite our
youth, we want to remain ambitious. We have a goal each and every
season to win the NECC Regular Season and Tournament title."
2009 NECC Men's Soccer Preseason Poll
School / Points
Becker (4) / 55
DANIEL WEBSTER (3) / 54
Mitchell (1) / 48
Lesley / 46
Newbury / 27
Elms / 24
Southern Vermont / 22
Wheelock / 12
(First place votes in parentheses)
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