Lakewood, N.J.- This year's Georgian Court University men's soccer team is brimming with confidence as the 2016 season is about to begin. The squad, ranked 9th in the recently released 2016 Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) Preseason Coaches Poll, has improved in each of its three years of existence and all associated with the team believe this year will culminate in the program's first postseason. tournament berth.
GCU head coach,
Dino Raso, knows that it's going to take determination and hard work but believes they have the talent to make it happen. "We have veteran guys who can lead this team and some younger players who are eager to show what they can do. If we can put it together, I am confident we will be successful".
Leading the Lions' offense is one of the top goal scorers in the conference,
Michael Clarke. Clarke, the Lions' all-time leading scorer, found the back of the net 17 times in 2015 and will be the focus of the opposition's defense. GCU will need to find a consistent second scorer and
Arturo Sanchez, who had a nice freshman campaign with four goals scored, will try to be that player.
Sean Graham, who missed all of 2015 with a knee injury, returns and will vie for minutes up front along with
Garrett McVeigh, who has four goals and seven assists in his career. Adding to the offensive depth will be
Javel Dawkins, a speedy and crafty player with aerial abilities.
The Lions' midfield is manned by
Craig Smith, who sets the tone for the team with his tireless work rate on the pitch. Smith's leadership in the middle of the field, along with fellow seniors
Elliot Baldwin and
Ricardo Vascones, give the team plenty of experience. The Lions will be welcoming sophomore
Daniel Vicente, who was ranked the 6th-best midfielder in the state of New Jersey a year ago, to the lineup for the first time.
The defensive unit for the Lions will anchored by
Jordan Eugenis who has made 48 appearances in his first three seasons. There will be plenty of competition for playing time on the back line as a number of newcomers look to step up.
Daniel Chochlinski,
Jonathan Firmino,
Michael Tapp and
Cort Montanino are just a few of the players who may find their way to the pitch.
Aleksander Milosevic will, once again, begin the season as the number one goalkeeper, but
Sebastian Mikuska will be pressing for minutes between the pipes.
Georgian Court will open the season on the road at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY on September 1st. The squad will make their 2016 home debut on September 13th when the Lions welcome Philadelphia University to Lakewood.
