Season Outlook
For the first time in 26 years there will be a new head coach on the sidelines for Haverford College men’s soccer. As Bill Brady takes the reins of the program he will try to bring back the success that Haverford has not experienced in a decade-and-a-half. That turn around may not happen immediately, but Brady knows the groundwork will be laid in 2009.
Key Returners
The Fords did not lose much offensively, but they must replace last year’s leading scorer Panos Panidis. Senior Chris Dioguardi, sophomore Tyler Freeman and junior Max Stossel all will be counted on for more contributions this fall. Both Freeman and Stossel netted three goals each in 2008 and Dioguardi has impressed in the preseason.
Brady also expects senior tri-captain Brian Pepe-Mooney and sophomore Matt Wetherell to play key roles on the defensive end. Pepe-Mooney is a three-year starter and will be counted on for his leadership while Wetherell started 10 games and scored one goal last year.
Senior and Jeff Rickert, and sophomores Steven Griffith, David Restrepo and Alejandro Rettig y Martinez can all be counted on to supply the Fords with valuable minutes.
“We have a lot of players with the same qualities and that should help spell some guys when they need a break,” said Brady.
In Goal
One of the toughest decisions for Brady is replacing four-year starter Adam Care in goal. Jamey Applegate will get the nod to start. Applegate has limited experience, making 11 saves in four games, but with time Brady believes the junior can become a formidable keeper.
“He’s good technically and at cutting down angles,” Brady said. “Jamey needs to be a leader and communicate and that comes with experience.”
The veteran presence of Pepe-Mooney on the back line should help ease Applegate’s development.
The Freshmen Brady sees a number of freshmen contributing right away and knows that will help make the squad better.
“Matt Gorski, Edward Gracia, Julien Calas and Trevor Barlowe all have a chance to help immediately,” he said.
Logan Meltzer is a defender that Brady thinks will develop into a contributor this season as well.
The Schedule
The Fords play four of their first five games at Walton Field with the final one in that span – their Centennial Conference opener against McDaniel College.
“Early on the schedule plays to our favor,” Brady said. “We play some winnable games and it could give us fantastic confidence heading into conference play.”
If the schedule plays out the way Brady hopes it does then HC could be a difficult team for Centennial opponents.
What to Expect
For Haverford to turn things around it starts with the development that will take place this season. With the hopes of reaching the eventual goal of winning the program’s first Centennial Conference title the baby steps are happening now.
“Our goals right now are to be better today than we were yesterday and to be better tomorrow than we are today,” Brady explained. “If that evolves then we hope to be a difficult team to beat, play meaningful games in late October and be in the playoff hunt.”
In the meantime, Brady and his staff will educate the team as much as they can and get them to believe in the system and their style of play.
“I’m very excited about the commitment and discipline of this team,” explained Brady. “They want to learn and they want to be coached.”
The desire to get better is certainly the right direction for the Fords heading into the season.