08/26/2008
2008 Men's Soccer Season Preview

Under the direction of head coach David Kulik, the Clark University mens soccer team has become a forced to contend with. During his eight-year tenure, the Cougars currently have a five consecutive winning season stretch, earned national and regional acclaim, qualified for postseason play with an ECAC New England final appearance in 2005, and earned its first-ever win over perennial power Wheaton College just last season.

Although proud of its past accomplishments, Clark returns to the field minus four key players, all of whom helped the Cougars realize those lofty goals. While the departed includes the schools all-time points leader, a pair of NEWMAC all-stars, and the backbone of the Cougar backfield, Kulik will look to eight returning starters and a strong recruiting class to usher in the dawn of a new day for Clark soccer.

We have turned a corner in our program, said the Cougars coach. We graduated four players who all had significant careers during their tenure at Clark. While well miss them, we are looking forward to a new look and a fresh approach this year. We are starting a new era.

Plagued by injuries, overtime games and high expectations last fall, the Cougars finished with a 7-5-6 (3-2-1 NEWMAC/Tied,3rd place) record. Kulik is hoping the team will dribble past those traps in 2008.

Last year, the expectation of the team held us back a bit and ended up hurting us, Kulik said. This year we dont have that expectation. The team has prepared themselves well over the summer, and if we stay healthy, develop chemistry with our frontrunners, and have a different sense about how we are going to accomplish our goals  that will be the biggest difference.

While the nucleus of the backfield returns, the Cougars will miss a valuable element in Joe Silva, a defensive fixture and leader for four years. However, Preben Gietz, Devin Weafer, and Lucas Neustadt bring both the talent and experience  after starting two seasons  to spark a backline that produced four shutouts in six conference games last season. The junior trio will have to stave off pressure from newcomers Matt Yalouris and Trevor Hendry  a member of Northfield Mount Hermons 2007 New England Tournament quarterfinal round team, who are both in contention for solid playing time. Freshman Anthony Epstein, a spark-plug player from Glastonbury (Conn.) Highs state finalist squad, will also be in the mix.

Riding the momentum of a second-team All-NEWMAC selection, senior Peter Wise is back for another year between the pipes. Wise topped the league in goals against average (.97), save percentage (.817), and saves (4.72). Baran Cansever, a first-year keeper from Central Mass. Division I Champion Algonquin Regional High School, will back him up.

Defense will always be a staple for our program, said Kulik. Well always be focused on the overall team defending with the understanding that if we dont give up a lot of goals, it will be hard to lose.

Junior Jeremy Radovsky and sophomore Kyle Klapp will be counted on to fill the void left at midfield by three-time All-Conference All-Star Lino Goncalves. Radovsky has returned to form after an ACL injury, while Klapp is expected to flourish with a year under his cleats. Juniors Andrew Ninnemann and John Machado, and freshmen Kenny Howard, a first-team All-Western Mass. player, and Adrian Blackadar, a two-time Most Valuable Player at Pilgrim (R.I.) High, are all battling for the final starting spot. Other options off the bench are senior Ben Wajda, junior Harry Banks, and sophomore Alon Trappler. Rookies Alexander Herlich and Max Travers also hope to contribute.

Despite the loss of record-setting David Blum and first-team All-NEWMAC pick Marc Labbe, Kulik is confident that senior Mike Trobagis and Timothy Doenmez can fortify the Cougars frontline. While Trobagis will finally have his time to shine up front, Doenmez, a sophomore transfer from Division I Hartwick College, appears ready to step up and add to the offensive attack. Senior Jenner Alpern, junior Sorean Hilck, and sophomore Greg Jancarik will provide depth.

We have more players in our program that have the capability of scoring goals this year, Kulik said. We will have a much more balanced attack.

With a loaded non-conference schedule and NEWMAC slate, not to mention a new-look roll call this fall, Clark will certainly have its hands full. We are going into the season with a fresh start, said Kulik. We have a deeper, more talented incoming group than weve had in the past couple of years, and enough athleticism in the program to be a very competitive team. Whether or not we can be as successful as weve been, remains to be seen; but its my hope that we can certainly be a surprise.