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Big Scoring Forwards to Pave Way for Men’s Soccer in ‘09
August 27, 2009
Junior Brian Cunliffe will go from being an All-NEAC first team midfielder in '08 to the middle of the Storm's defense this season.
After posting the second best record in program history with a 12-4-2 mark in 2008, the Storm should be in good shape to make a run at the NEAC title that just narrowly escaped them last year.
“We are excited about our team and looking forward to the upcoming season,” said Head Coach Matt Tantalo.
Keuka outscored its opponents 42-17 last season but Tantalo will need to replace its leading scorer over the past four years, NEAC Player of the Year Brandon Scott. The return of junior forward Jack Reece (Rochester, N.Y./Churchville-Chili) and the emergence of classmate Carl Learned (Elmira, N.Y./Elmira Free Academy) should allow the Storm to still rack up plenty of goals. Reece tallied nine goals, six assists, and 24 points while being named to the All-NEAC first team. Learned enjoyed a breakout sophomore season, tallying nine goals and an assist for 19 points.
Junior and All-NEAC first team selection Brian Cunliffe (Rochester, N.Y./Gates Chili) will make the switch from the midfield to being in the middle of the Storm’s defense. Cunliffe, who will replace three-time first team All-NEAC performer Justin Viele as the team’s main defensive stopper, dished off three assists last season.
Senior Ian Loos (Elizabethtown, KY/West Genesee), who passed off an assist last season, is the only returning starter on defense but he will be helped by senior Anthony Pitti (Canandaigua, N.Y./Canandaigua) and junior Shane Reynolds (Glens Falls, N.Y./Glens Falls).
The Storm’s defense will also get a huge boost by senior goalie Mike Meskill (Trumansburg, N.Y./Chalres O. Dickerson), who compiled six shutouts last season as well as 81 saves en route to being named to the All-NEAC second team. Junior Kyle Salo (Red Creek, N.Y./Red Creek)returns to vie with Meskill for playing time after collecting 18 saves and a shutout last season.
Keuka returns a solid group of midfielders, highlighted by senior Tyler Shaw (Portville, N.Y./Portville) and sophomore Connor Thomas (Jasper, N.Y./Jasper-Troupsburg), who both return to the starting lineup after passing off three assists apiece a season ago. Senior Kelin Wheaton (Cameron Mills, N.Y./Jasper-Troupsburg) and sophomore Alex Vondracek (Montour Falls, N.Y./Odessa-Montour), who tallied a goal, also return to the midfield position.
Rookie midfielders Nate Smith (Rochester, N.Y./Hilton) and Kyle Rivera (Elmira, N.Y./Horseheads); forwards John Mastrella (Rochester, N.Y./Greece Athena) and Christian Sterner (Lowville, N.Y./Lowville); and defenders Reis Cunningham (Red Creek, N.Y./Red Creek) and Derek Condon (Rochester, N.Y./Webster Thomas) should make an immediate impact on the field for Keuka.
Keuka will open its 2009 campaign on the road against Alfred University Sept. 1. The Storm defeated the Saxons, 3-1 in last season’s opener. For the second consecutive season, Keuka will not be playing a regular season conference schedule. Instead, the Storm will try to recapture the NEAC crown at the NEAC Tournament Nov. 6-8.
