Men's Soccer
2007 Season Recap
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.
2007 Season Outlook
The Clark University men’s soccer team returns to the field after posting an 11-4-2 (3-2-1 NEWMAC) mark, an NSCAA (20th) and d3kicks.com (8th) national ranking, and a top-10 New England finish. Despite Clark’s remarkable run, including four consecutive winning seasons and a solid spot in the region for 17 consecutive weeks over the last two years, the Cougars enter the 2007 season with unfinished business – a conference championship.
“If we want to win a championship, our mentality has to be of championship level in everything we do,” said eighth-year head coach David Kulik. “We have to train hard every day, we have to stay healthy and our key players have to perform.”
Coach Kulik is optimistic about the team’s chances – and with good reason. With 17 letter-winners and six starters back, not to mention a pair of talented recruits, the Cougars shouldn’t miss a beat. In addition to an experienced line-up, the squad boasts four seniors eager to cap their careers in fine fashion.
Senior David Blum (4-3-11), a two-time All-NEWMAC striker and 2005 NSCAA All-America, returns to lead the offensive attack. He enters the season second on Clark’s all-time scoring list with 79 points on 35 goals and 9 assists, just five goals shy of eclipsing the 35-year old mark (40-6-86). The other forward spot is up for grabs. Junior Jenner Alpern, hoping to return to form after a freshman ACL injury, and “blue-chip” recruit Alon Trappler, a member of the Beachside and F.C. Westchester State champion teams, are top candidates for the job.
While Daniel Hoffman ‘07 and Shawn Barr ’07 will be missed, there will be no shortage of talent at the midfield position. NEWMAC first-team all-star Lino Goncalves (2-2-6) and highly-regarded newcomer Kyle Klapp, a first-team league all-star from Guilderland (N.Y.) High, will provide the Cougars with a solid tandem at center midfield. Kulik is still in search of the right combination for the remaining slots. Possible contenders include senior Marc Labbe, junior Mike Trobagis, and sophomores Charlie Sherman, John Machado and Tom Ashley. Second-year player Lucas Neustadt will provide plenty of fire-power off the bench, while sophomores Andrew Ninnemman and Harry Banks should also make contributions.
Although Clark must compensate for the departure of two-time All-Conference and NSCAA and d3kicks.com All-Region goalkeeper Matt Talbot ‘07 (.40 GAA, .894 SV %), Kulik is confident red-shirt freshman Peter Wise can step in as the main man between the pipes. Sophomore Chris Church will back him up. Led by senior defensive stalwart Joseph Silva, sophomores Devin Weafer and Preben Gietz will fortify an already imposing backline that allowed a stingy seven goals last year. Junior Ben Wajda will add defensive depth.
“Three of the four seniors – David, Lino, and Joe – have been significant players over the last two years,” Kulik said. “They understand how little things can make the ultimate difference, and I hope this will be a year they can push each other and the team to take a major step forward.”
Clark faces a demanding schedule taking on eight teams that advanced to postseason tournaments last year, including an ECAC Champion and four NCAA Tournament contenders. The squad won’t waste any time getting to the heart of its schedule as they kick off the season at the Western New England College Tournament, where both opponents qualified for the “Big Dance.” Additionally, the Cougars intensive conference slate adds to their strength of schedule.
Will this year’s squad break the barrier and capture the elusive NEWMAC title? “We control our own destiny,” said Kulik. “We cannot be satisfied with just a good record; instead have something significant at the end. Whether that’s a conference championship, it remains to be seen. Certainly, the expectations are to be competitive at the highest level.”
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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