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2008 Season In Review

The Elmira College Men’s Soccer team showed improvement under second year Head Coach Jeremiah Kneeland ’05. After a promising 2-0 start to the season the men stumbled, losing six straight. Still, the resilient squad rebounded to a 4-1 win over D’Youville College, and two shut out victories in the final weeks to finish with an overall record of 5-12.

Captain Dane Bertha ’09 (Pittsburgh, PA -- Deer Lakes) is one of the three Soaring Eagles who played their final season at Elmira College. Bertha, along with classmate Paul Friend ’09 (East Green, RI -- East Greenwich), were an essential part of the Purple and Gold’s defense. Their efforts, combined stellar play from fourth year goalkeeper Jon DePrimo ’09 (Elmira, NY -- Southside), resulted in four shut out victories this fall. Individually, DePrimo ranked fifth in the Empire 8 with four shutouts and second with 6.06 saves per contest

Harry Penkoff ’10 (Trumbull, CT -- Lawrence Academy) led an outstanding group of third year players who stepped into leadership roles this fall. Penkoff’s aggressive play and size made him one of most dominant midfielders in the Conference. Both Kevin McKearney ’10 (Newington, CT -- Newington) and Chris Stanford ’10 (Cazenovia, NY -- Cazenovia) improved in their third season. McKearney finished as the team’s assist leader with three helpers.

A talented group of second year athletes made their mark on the 2008 season on both sides of the field. Jeremy Brand ’11 (Cato, NY, Cato-Meridian) finished as the team’s leading scorer with four goals and two assists for 10 total points. A 17 game starter, Brand added his third career game winning goal in a thrilling 1-0 win over Cazenovia College. His efforts this fall earned him Elmira College Athlete of the Week and spot on the Empire 8 All-Conference Honorable Mention list.

Brooks Saunders ’11 (Key West, FL -- Key West) and Tim Certosimo ’10 (Mahwah, NJ -- Mahwah) finished tied for third in team scoring with two goals and an assist each. Saunders started 14 of his 17 games played this season, while Certosimo appeared in 16 contests. Certosimo put the Soaring Eagles on the right path with back-to-back game winning goals in EC’s first two contests.

Classmates Nicholas Alvers ’12 (Wilson, NY -- Wilson Central), Michael Dewitt ’11 (Queensbury, NY -- Queensbury) and Anders Ostrum ’11 (East Montpelier, VT -- U-32) added to Elmira College’s improved midfield. The success of the young forwards is a beneficiary of this group’s hard work and ability to move the ball up field.

Richard Courto ’11 (Fayetteville, NY -- Fayetteville-Manlius) and Nick Dillabough ’11 (Newfane, NY -- Newfane) served as a viable options off the bench. Both were counted on to fill voids all season.

As the leaders from the Class of 2009 depart from Elmira College, the Men’s Soccer program can rely on their young starters, who made an immediate impact in 2008. Defenders like Nick Viola ’12 (Portland, ME -- Deering), Scott McLean ’12 (Beverly, MA -- Kent School) and Alston Eldridge ’12 (Sharon, CT -- Kent School) provided solid minutes on defense, while forwards Jaffar Daly ’12 (Bronx, NY -- Cardinal Spellman), Ted Michelson ’12 (Winsted, CT -- Chesire Academy) and Dan Razzolini ’12 (East Aurora, NY -- Iroquois Central), proved themselves as offensive threats throughout the season.

Daly had a break out season for the Purple and Gold, netting three goals and an assist in 16 games. His seven total points led the team. Daly’s best game came against D’Youville College, where he finished with three total points in a 4-1 win. Michelson registered the game winning goal against D’Youville. It is his first collegiate score.

First year players Ryan Geswell ’12 (Patterson, NY -- Carmel),Ryan Campbell ’12 (Houghton, NY -- Fillmore Central) and Jason Guernsey ’12 (Cherry Valley, NY -- Cherry Valley-Springfield) were relied on throughout the season to provide minutes off the bench. The trio will be looked to for experience in their second season.

Goalkeeper Jared Micheller ’12 (Avon, CT -- Winchedon) accounted for 191:53 minutes in DePrimo’s absence. He will look move into the starting role next fall. 

Elmira College will lose Bertha, Friend and DePrimo to graduation.