2010 Men's Soccer Season Preview

The Elmira College Men’s Soccer Team hopes the success they found in the 2009 season will continue in the 2010 campaign. Last season the Soaring Eagles reached and exceeded the 10-win plateau for the first time in the past 10 seasons. Led by 2009 Empire 8 Coach of the Year Jeremiah Kneeland ’05, this year’s Soaring Eagles surely have their sights set on an Empire 8 berth.

EC returns 6 of their top 7 scorers which includes fourth year players Jeremy Brand ’11 (Cato, NY -- Cato-Meridian) and Brooks Saunders ’11 (Key West, FL -- Key West). The duo had standout seasons for the Purple and Gold in 2009, combining for 15 points on 5 goals and 5 assists. The two midfielders will both look to continue their steady play which has earned them starting positions in the past. Other class of 2011 members include Nick Alvers ’11 (Wilson, NY -- Wilson Central) and Michael Dewitt ’11 (Queensbury, NY -- Queensbury). Alvers started in all 17 games played primarily on defense. His play in the back this year will be key for EC’s success. Queensbury native, Dewitt, will surely be out to build on the success his defense saw last season as they held opponents to 1.19 goals per game. Look for these four members of the Class of 2011 to be the vocal, emotional, and physical leaders of the 2010 squad.

The Class of 2012 will be well represented during the 2010 campaign as Ryan Campbell ’12 (Houghton, NY -- Fillmore Central), Alston Eldridge ’12 (Sharon, CT -- Kent School), JasonGuernsey ’12 (Cherry Valley, NY -- Cherry Valley), Jared Micheller ’12 (Avon, CT --Winchendon)¸ Edward Michelson ’12 (Winsted, CT -- Cheshire Academy), and Nick Viola ’12 (Portland, ME -- Deering) look to have a memorable third season with the Soaring Eagles. Eldridge provided EC with a skilled-physical defenseman with deadly striking ability. Guernsey will be looked upon to put the ball in the back of the net as he had a breakout season last year totaling 10 points on 4 goals and 2 assists. Goalkeeper Micheller had a solid 2009 campaign as he started in all 19 games for the Soaring Eagles. He totaled 11 wins which was third most in EC history while making 117 saves during the season. Also expected to be an offensive force this season will be Michelson. His only goal came in a 2-0 defeat of 2008 NCAA Runner-up and three time Empire 8 champions Stevens Tech. Viola and Campbell will be counted on to provide guidance to EC’s younger players as they have seen their fair share of time on the field.

Second year players Erik Lee ’13 (Suffield, CT -- Suffield), Harrison Lewandowski ’13 (Midland Park, NJ -- Paramus Catholic), Alex Poole ’13 (Chilmark, MA -- Martha's Vineyard), and Cameron Ware ’13 (Andover, CT -- RHAM) will be looked upon to continue their strong play for EC. Lee had a standout rookie year finishing the season with a second team best 10 points on 4 goals and 2 assists. For his efforts, Lee was named to the Empire 8 All-Conference Second Team. Lewandowski was limited in action during the 2009 campaign due to injury but still managed to net a goal for the Soaring Eagles in their 4-1 win over SUNY IT in the ECAC Semifinal. Poole was one of only 5 players to start in all 19 games for EC. He finished the year strong totaling 7 points on 2 goals and 3 assists. Fellow classmate Ware will look to make an impact this season. Appearing in 15 games, Ware scored one goal which was a game winner in a 2-1 victory over SUNY IT.

Talented newcomers will all look to make an immediate impact to an already experienced Soaring Eagles club.

The Soaring Eagles Men’s Soccer Team will kick-off the 2010 campaign with a home contests against the Raptors of Bard College on Saturday, September 4th at 3:30 p.m. at Campus Field.