2009 Season in Review

Elmira College Men’s Soccer team finished one if its most successful seasons in recent history. Led by 2009 Empire 8 Coach of the Year Jeremiah Kneeland ’05, the Soaring Eagles finished the season with an 11-7-1 overall record. This is the most wins the Men’s Soccer program has earned in ten years. Their efforts this season even earned them an ECAC Championship bid.

Leading the Soaring Eagles this season was fourth year standout and Empire 8 First Team All-Conference selection Brian Haschke ’10 (Pittsburgh, PA -- Deer Lakes). Haschke had a breakout final season as he started in all 19 games totaling 30 points on 11 goals and 8 assists. He finished at the top of the conference in all major categories such as tied for first in points, tied for second in goals, and tied for first in assists. His presence this season turned things around for a once struggling EC offense that only totaled 40 points a season ago. Haschke leaves Elmira near the top of the EC All-Time Records List in several categories; Tied for ninth in season assists (8), sixth for career points (64), and fifth for career goals (27).

Elmira College’s representative for Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year, Kevin McKearney ’10 (Newington, CT -- Newington), showed why he was captain and a leader for this year’s squad. He started in all 19 games and was the motivational leader that EC needed in each match. McKearney recorded his only goal of the season on a header in a non-league match-up against Clarkson University. His attitude and leadership will be missed as EC will lose him to graduation.

In their final seasons Aaron Dorman ’10 (Phelps, NY -- Midlakes), Harry Penkoff ’10 (Trumbull, CT -- Lawrence Academy), and Chris Stanford ’10 (Cazenovia, NY -- Cazenovia) provided a young Soaring Eagles team with leadership and experience. The trio combined for 4 points on 1 goal and 2 assists.

First year forward Erik Lee ’13 (Suffield, CT -- Suffield) had a standout rookie campaign as he earned Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference honors. Lee started 18 of 19 contests played and earned 10 points on 4 goals and 2 assists. Two of his four goals this season were game winners but none were as big as his game winning goal that gave Elmira a 2-0 victory over 2008 NCAA Division III Runner-Up Stevens Institute. He blasted a shot from 25 yards out that beat the goaltender for the score. Lee proved himself to be a featured player in this league for many years to come.

Classmates Jeremy Brand ’11 (Cato, NY -- Cato-Meridian) and Brooks Saunders ’11(Key West, FL -- Key West) had good seasons as the duo combined for 15 points. Brand finished second on the team with 5 assists which was fifth most in the Empire 8 Conference. Saunders earned 3 goals this season including the game winning goal in the ECAC Semi-final match against SUNY IT. Both Brand and Saunders have proved to be consistent players for EC and will be counted on to lead the team next season.

Jason Guernsey ’12 (Cherry Valley, NY -- Cherry Valley) had a standout season as well for the Purple and Gold. He accumulated 10 points on 4 goals and 2 assists. His totals were tied for second most on the team. Guernsey scored the game winning goal in a 1-0 shutout over Keuka College. Fellow member of the Class of 2012, A lston Eldridge ’12 (Sharon, CT -- Kent School) provided Elmira with solid defensive play day in and day out as he started in all 19 games this season. Eldridge held the defense down on an improved Elmira defense. He also added 5 points on 2 goals and an assist.

In his first season with Elmira, Alexander Poole ’13 (Chilmark, MA -- Martha's Vineyard) showed the play and poise of a seasoned veteran. Poole, who was one of only 5 EC players to start in all 19 games, recorded 7 points on 2 goals and 3 assists. He provided Elmira with a lockdown defensive player with lethal striking ability. His future with Elmira is very bright.

Between the posts this season for Elmira was Jared Micheller ’12 (Avon, CT -- Winchendon School). The second year goalie proved to be among the elite in the Empire 8 Conference as he led the league in saves with 117. Micheller recorded 5 shutouts this season including a 2-0 win over powerhouse Stevens Ducks. His efforts this season leave him ranked among the elite in Elmira College History as he is tenth for saves in a season (117), tied for fourth in single season shut-outs (5), and tied for seventh for career shutouts (5).

Edward Michelson ’12 (Winsted, CT -- Cheshire Academy), Nick Alvers ’11 (Wilson, NY -- Wilson Central), and Mike Dewitt ’11 (Queensbury, NY -- Queensbury) each logged major minutes for the Soaring Eagles this season. Michelson appeared in every game this season and totaled 3 points on 1 goal and 1 assist. Alvers and Dewitt each started 17 games on defense.

While Elmira loses five players to graduation, they will return the majority of their team. Look for the Soaring Eagles to build on this season’s success.