Men's Soccer
Highlights
2008
The 2008 Clark University men’s soccer team certainly had a year to remember. The Cougars, who finished the year with an 11-5-2 (3-2-1 NEWMAC/3rd) record, not only posted their sixth consecutive winning season, but also earned their first NCAA Division III Tournament berth in 21 years.
Clark’s road to the NCAA’s was not easy. Facing a stack of regionally touted squads, the Cougars went unbeaten against five of the seven teams ranked in New England throughout the season. Highlights during that run included, a 1-1 tie against Worcester State College, a 2007 ECAC Tournament semifinalist, in front of a crowd of 500 fans at the Worcester City Soccer Classic at Granger Field and a scoreless draw against eventual NEWMAC Champion Babson College, not to mention 1-0 victories against Rhode Island College (OT) and Framingham State College, both winners of their respective conference championships, and regional power Wheaton College in Norton, Mass. It marked the first time in eight tries Clark beat Wheaton on their home field and just the second victory in 15 attempts overall.
Winners of five of its final regular season games, Clark earned the right to host the first-round of the NEWMAC Tournament for the fourth straight year. Despite a disappointing showing against Wheaton College (L 0-1) in the quarterfinals, the Cougars’ strength of schedule and three consecutive weeks in the final regionally rankings led them to their first NCAA Tournament bid since 1987.
Traveling to last year’s NCAA Tournament Champion Middlebury College, Clark’s season would come to an end in a tough 1-0 loss to Norwich University in the first-round.
Following the season, head coach David Kulik earned the NEWMAC Coach of the Year award for the second time during his tenure. The ninth-year coach also nabbed the honor in 2005. Senior goalkeeper Peter Wise was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference first-team, while junior defender Preben Gietz and sophomore forward Baran Doenmez (8-4-20) were second-team selections.
2007
Although injuries left head coach David Kulik with a depleted roster this season, the Clark University men’s soccer team proved they were still a team to contend. Finishing the fall with a 7-5-6 (3-2-1 NEWMAC) mark, the Cougars not only posted their first-ever win over Wheaton College (1-0), but also battled their way through eight overtime games – six of which ended in a draw – setting a new mark for ties in a season (6). A stingy defensive team, Clark shutout five opponents and allowed just four goals in league play (three against Babson College in a second-half man-down situation) en route to its second NEWMAC Tournament semifinal appearance in three years. The fourth-seeded Cougars came out on top in a 2-1 victory over MIT in the first round, but failed to repeat against Wheaton losing 2-0 in the semifinals.
Although the team’s season ended premature of their goal, a few individual successes sparked Clark’s 2007 campaign. With an assist in the win over Wheaton, captain David Blum ‘08 (Irvington, N.Y.) broke the 35-year old career points record set by Ted Satiropoulos ’72 (40-6-86). The senior forward amassed 38 goals, 11 assists for 87 career points to become Clark’s all-time points leader. After two seasons on the D.L., midfielder Marc Labbe ‘08 capped his career with a team-leading 10 goals for 20 points and a first-team All-Conference nod. Lino Goncalves ’08, a defender, joined Labbe on the NEWMAC first-team, while goalkeeper Peter Wise ’09 was named to the second-team.
2006
The most successful athletic team this fall, the Clark University men’s soccer team certainly had a year to remember. Posting its fourth consecutive winning season (11-4-2, 3-2-1 NEWMAC), the 2006 Cougars also witnessed regional and national acclaim. Not only was the Clark squad ranked 20th by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA), but was also positioned eighth by D3kicks.com computerized national ranking system. It was the first time in head coach David Kulik’s seven-year tenure the team had been nationally recognized by two rankings organizations. Although Clark finished 10th in the NSCAA New England Poll for the second straight year, the Cougars saw its highest regional ranking (3rd) since Coach Kulik’s arrival in 2000. Not to mention, the program has also been in the top-10 regional ranking for 16 consecutive weeks over the last two seasons.
In addition to its record-ranking year, the men’s squad allowed just seven goals (.39 GAA) and posted 11 shutouts, ranking fifth and tied for eighth in the nation, respectively, and finished eighth nationally in save percentage (.894). The Cougars notched six straight shutouts to start the season, one shy from tying the school mark (7), had a nine-game unbeaten streak, including their first victory over rival Babson College (2-1) since 2001, and advanced to the NEWMAC Tournament quarterfinals as the third-seed. In the tourney, Clark fell to sixth-seed Springfield College (1-0) to conclude its season.
Senior midfielder Lino Goncalves and senior goalkeeper Matt Talbot were named to the NEWMAC All-Conference teams. A first-team all-star, Goncalves finished third on the team in scoring (2-2-6). Talbot, a second-team recipient, helped lead the Cougars to the number one scoring defense in the conference this season. Talbot topped the league in goals against average (.40) and save percentage (.894), and ranked second in winning percentage (.706). The two-time NEWMAC All-Conference goalie capped his career with a career-high 10 shutouts. Junior forward David Blum moved into second on Clark’s All-Time scoring list with 39 goals, 10 assists, and 88 points, while senior Daniel Hoffman took sole possession of 10th with 20 points, nine assists, and 49 points.
2005
Under the direction of head coach David Kulik (6th year) the Clark University men’s soccer team compiled an impressive 15-4-2 overall record and reached the ECAC Championship game for the first time since 1984. In addition, the 15 wins were the second most victories in the 85-year history of the program. The Cougars reached the finals with convincing wins over Wentworth (4-1) and Norwich (4-1). Clark, has recorded three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since the 1985-1987 seasons and finished the year ranked 10th in the NSCAA New England poll. Clark was ranked in the top ten for seven consecutive weeks. After a 7-day preseason trip to the Bahamas, the Cougars won 11of their first 12 games. After a 3-2 setback against Brandeis in the third game of the season, the Cougars won eight straight and were unbeaten for 11 straight. Clark finished 4-1-1 in the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference, its best record since joining the conference. The Cougars led the conference in scoring (2.26) and scoring defense (.74) while recording nine shutouts. Additional highlights include a convincing win over 2005 NCAA Tournament participant Johnson & Wales (3-1) and a draw against regional power and eventual NEWMAC Champion Wheaton College (1-1).
Sophomore forward David Blum (Irvington, MA/Irvington) had a record-breaking year and was named to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team. He was named to the second team last year. Blum shattered the school record for goals in a season and points in a season with 23 goals and 50 points. The old records were 17 goals and 38 points. Blum led the conference in goals and points. Through games 11/20 he was ranked sixth in the nation in points per game (2.38) and third in goals per game (1.11).He scored in 15 out of 21 games and scored at least two goals in five games. In addition, he scored an impressive four goals against Fitchburg State. Junior goalkeeper Matt Talbot (Harvard, MA/Lincoln Sudbury Regional) was also named to the NEWMAC All-Conference First Team. Talbot recorded an impressive .78 goals against average and recorded eight shutouts including four straight. He was ranked fourth in the conference in goals against average and fourth in save percentage (.844). Sophomore midfielder Lino Goncavles (Newton, MA/Newton North), a transfer, made an immediate impact at Clark and was named to the all-conference second team. Goncavles had four goals and a conference-leading seven assists. He also ranked seventh in the league in points (15). Goncavles had three game-winning goals including the lone goal in a key 1-0 win over local conference rival WPI.
Former West Springfield High School All-American, Yale University captain and professional player David Kulik was named the NEWMAC Coach of the Year. He led the Cougars to a 15-4-2 record and to the ECAC championship game. In his sixth season at the helm of Clark he helped guide the squad to the second most wins in the 85-year history of the program. This season also marked the program’s third consecutive winning record which hadn't been accomplished since 1985-1987. "It was an outstanding season with many highlights including our 7-night preseason trip to the Bahamas, winning 11 of our first 12 games and advancing to the ECAC championship match.”
2004
The Clark University men’s soccer team under fifth-year head coach David Kulik finished the 2004 season 9-8-1, the team’s best record since 1990. Highlighting the season for the Cougars were wins over Brandeis University (2-0), WPI (1-0) and Rhode Island College (2-1). The sixth seed in the NEWMAC tournament, the Cougars fell 1-0 to eventual NEWMAC champion Babson College.
First-year David Blum led the way for the Cougars and was named to the 2004 NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team. Blum led the Cougars with eight goals and was ranked sixth in the league. He had three game-winning goals including the only goal in a 1-0 win over conference and cross-town rival WPI. In addition, he had both goals in the Cougars’ victory over Brandeis. Additional major contributors were junior captain Matt Mattice and juniors Juan Becerra and Daniel Hoffman. Mattice finished the season leading the team and the conference with 10 assists. Mattice, who started in 11 games, missed the final six games due to a season ending knee injury. In 17 games, Hoffman was second on the team with seven goals including three game-winning goals. He added two assists and had 16 points. Hoffman ranked seventh in the league in goals scored. Beccera added six goals, two assists and 14 points in 17 games. Sophomore goalkeeper Matt Talbot led a strong defense, allowing 1.26 goals against. In 16 games, he allowed only 20 goals and made 73 saves.
2003
Forward Juan Becerra ‘06 received 2003 NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team honors. Becerra finished with a team- leading 10 goals and 22 points including a team-high five game-winning goals. Matt Talbot ‘07 had a solid first year recording 97 saves and compiling a 1.38 GAA and three shutouts in 16 games.
2002
First-year midfielder Dana Gilpatrick had a solid rookie season, scoring three goals in 17 games. He was named to the 2002 NEWMAC All-Conference Second Team. Senior Juan Andres Garcia-Alvarez led the team with seven golas, two game-winning goals and added two assists.
2000
Daniel Barrero '01 was selected to the 2000 NEWMAC All-Conference Team.
1999
The 1999 team finished second in the NEWMAC Tournament after upsetting the number one seed, Babson College, (1-2 OT) in the semi-final game.
Daniel Barrero '01 was named to the NSCAA Regional All-America Third Team. Daniel Barrero '01 and Pal Danielsen '00 were selected to the NEWMAC All-Conference Team.
1998
Chris Buyu '99 was selected to the All-New England Team and the NEISL Senior Bowl Game in 1998 in addition to being an all-conference pick three consecutive seasons.
1997
The 1997 squad defeated nationally ranked Williams, 1-0 for the first time in 12 years.
The 1980s were prosperous years for the Cougars as the team was selected to compete in both regional (ECAC) and national (NCAA) post-season tournament play. More recently Clark has joined the NEWMAC Conference and taken on a strong schedule, playing against several nationally-ranked programs.
For more information about Clark University Men's Soccer, please contact head coach David Kulik at (508) 793-7636 or by email at dkulik@clarku.edu
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