2007 Season In Review

 

 The Elmira College Men’s Soccer team used the 2007 season as another year to grow not only as a team but as a program. With first year Head Coach Jeremiah Kneeland ’05 at the helm, the Soaring Eagles showed great promise, in hopes that they will become a post season caliber team.

On the field leading this year’s team was a combination of experienced veterans who guided a new group of fresh faces down the right path. Dane Bertha ’09 (Pittsburgh, PA -- Deer Lakes) wore the Captains ban this year for EC, and was a solid leader both on and off the field. The examples that he set earned him Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year accolades at the conclusion of the season.

Along with that fourth year midfielder Drew Kelsey ’08 (Salem, MA -- New Hampton) and third year goalkeeper Jon DePrimo ’09 (Elmira, NY -- Southside) also stepped up as leaders. Kelsey ended his four year career at EC as one of the programs top midfielders, and was a constant threat for the opposition. DePrimo continued to prove that he is one of the top goalkeepers in the Empire 8 Conference. His ability to read the play and shutdown the oppositions attack was crucial throughout the year, and played a major reason why he earned Empire 8 Honorable Mention honors, as well as being named Goalkeeper of the Week during the season.

Returning forward Brian Haschke ’10 (Pittsburgh, PA -- Deer Lakes) had another strong season for the Purple and Gold. He once again finished a top the team in goals and points, and had many strong performances against tough Nationally ranked teams. Also on the forward side of the ball was first year members Jeremy Brand ’11 (Cato, NY -- Cato-Meridian) and Cameron DeRocker ’11 (Broadalbin, NY -- Broadalbin-Perth) showed much promise throughout the season. Brand proved to be one of the team’s top offensive threats, staring his career off with a game winning goal at SUNY Morrisville. DeRocker also had strong showings throughout the season.

With such a large group of veteran and rookie midfielders, it became evident that the team would post one of the top midfield lines in recent years. In the center-mid position was second year player Kevin McKearney ’10 (Newington, CT -- Newington), who showed great composure when transitioning the ball from the defensive third to the offense. His tough physical play was also crucial in denying the opposition long passes through the center of the field. Next to McKearney was rookie midfielder Brooks Saunders ’10 (Key West, FL -- Key West). Saunders stepped into a starting role early in the year, and made every minute count as he adjusted quickly to the Collegiate game.

On the outside part of the midfield a combination of players were used to help EC’s transition. Michael Dewitt ’11 (Queensbury, NY -- Queensbury), Chris Standford ’10 (Cazenovia, NY -- Cazenovia), and Aaron Dorman ’10 (Phelps, NY -- Midlakes) all played crucial minutes and were essential in helping the team improve on both sides of the field.

Defensively Paul Friend ’09 (East Greenwich, RI -- East Greenwich), Harry Penkoff ’10 (Trumbull, CT -- Lawrence Academy), and Justin Strausser ’09 (Eliot, ME -- Marshwood) each used their size and speed to shut down some of the top forwards in Division III Men’s Soccer. Friend and Strausser were essential in shutting down the outside runs, while Penkoff dominated the middle defensive third when it came to winning the crosses and long clears.

This year’s Men’s Soccer team showed much promise throughout the course of the season. With Coach Kneeland leading the team into the 2008 season, look for the Soaring Eagles to continue to grow and develop in hopes to make a post season Conference and National Tournament appearance.

The Soaring Eagles will lose Kelsey to graduation.