Minutemen Soccer Opens With Scrimmage Against Montreal

Aug. 20, 2004

AMHRST, Mass. -- The University of Massachusetts men's soccer team kicks into action on Saturday at 5:00 p.m., with an exhibition match against the University of Montreal at Rudd Field. Head Coach Sam Koch welcomes back 16 letterwinners from a squad that posted an 11-7-1 mark in 2003. The match will be the first of two exhibition matches for the Minutemen. UMass defeated a depleted Montreal squad last season, 2-0. "They are one of the better teams we will face," said Koch. "They gave us a tough time last year with a shortened roster, and two years ago, they were the toughest team we played on our Canadian trip. It will be a good test for us to see where we are and what we need to work on heading into the Notre Dame game." The Minutemen will complete their exhibition season with an Aug. 28 game against Notre Dame at Szot Park in Chicopee, Mass. The Fighting Irish enter the season ranked 14th in the country after a 2003 NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. For ticket information for the ninth annual Kick-off Classic at Szot Park, call 1-866-UMASS-TIX. SEASON OUTLOOK
Sam Koch has been blessed with high-powered offenses over the past few years, putting goals on the scoreboard at a record-breaking clip. However, after graduating three of the school's top 12 all-time scorers in the past two seasons, Koch may turn to his defense to carry UMass back to the top of the Atlantic 10 Conference this season. The 14th-year head man of the Minuteman soccer program welcomes back several key members off last year's squad that earned UMass its fifth straight 10-win season, the second-longest streak in school history. But what transpired at the end of last year, a 3-0 loss to a red-hot Rhode Island team in the season finale that kept the Minutemen out of the Atlantic 10 Tournament, left a bitter taste in the mouths of UMass players and coaches. "We were disappointed in the way last year ended, particularly the loss to URI," said Koch. "They flat outplayed us, then won the A-10 Tournament and went to the NCAAs. "We are looking at that game as a benchmark of how to get back to the top of the league," said Koch. "It woke us up and made us hungry. We worked hard in the spring and were very focused. We hope that will carry over into the fall." If spring practice was any indication of the type of team that UMass could put on the field, it could be another big year in the Pioneer Valley. FORWARDS
Despite graduating All-Conference performer Ptah Myers last season (9-3--21 in 2003; 70 career points), Koch thinks that this year's forward group can repeat last season's output, and perhaps surpass it. Koch welcomes back two starters in Oral Bullen and Ernie Billittier and a pair of sophomores that saw plenty of action in Rob Charest and Richie Higa Much of UMass' offensive load will be shouldered by the junior Bullen. The speedy Brooklyn native was second on the team in scoring with 20 points (8 g, 4 a) and tallied points in nine of 19 games last season. "Oral is as quick and crafty as they come in the Atlantic 10," said Koch. "He will be looked upon to score a lot of goals and create a lot of chances for us." Ernie Billittier will also return up front for the Minutemen after tallying seven points (2 g, 3 a) as a sophomore. Billittier provides the Minutemen a physical presence on the attack with a strong, powerful shot. The third forward position is up for grabs as several sophomores and newcomers figure to fight for the spot, but one option that Koch is looking at is moving Higa to forward after spending most of his time in the midfield in 2003. The Honolulu, Hawaii, native was named to the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie team after tallying two goals while playing in all 19 games. Charest also figures to be in the mix, after scoring three points as a freshman, and showing steady improvement throughout the spring and summer. "Higa is an attacking midfielder, but can play up top," said Koch. "He is very creative around the net and has great feet. "Charest showed vast improvement over the spring and summer, and could really have a great year for us," said Koch. A newcomer that figures to see significant time is junior Joel Sanchez. Sanchez was a junior-college All-American last year at Hartnell College (CA) and was the Coast Conference's Player of the Year. "Sanchez is an unknown, but certainly comes in with excellent credentials," said Koch. "He is a tremendous passer and finisher." MIDFIELDERS
The midfield position may be the deepest for the Minutemen, but it may also be the least experienced. Two of last year's midfielders, Dan Colwell and Andrew Eicher, have graduated leaving the starting positions up for grabs. Leading the way will be sophomore Ralph Pace. Pace appeared in 17 games last year, tallying six points, including four assists, which ranked him tied for second on the team. Another sophomore, Todd Skelton, also figures to be in the fray. Skelton played in 15 games last year, distributing one assist. Junior Jason Scudamore returns after playing in 19 games, starting 16 of them, and tallying five points (1 g, 3 a). His goal came in overtime of a 1-0 win over Mercer in the opening round of the UMass adidas Classic. Four other players, sophomore Michael Donnelly, senior Gabe Barnard, junior Marco Tuesta and redshirt freshman Tyler Pagano, all figure to battle for action. Koch may also drop back Higa or Charest into the midfield. Several talented newcomers will also be thrown into the mix. Mike Mingione was a member of the Connecticut All-State team, Greg Cirillo was a member of the Rhode Island Stingrays Under-19 team and Doug Rappaport was named Tucson's (AZ) Area Player of the Year. "All of these players will battle for time," said Koch. "I am really pleased with this group. They will make practice very competitive and increase competition for playing time. "I like our depth at the position, but they need a little seasoning," said Koch. "By the end of the year, this will be a very good unit." DEFENSEMAN
The one area addressed the most in the offseason was the defense. The group led the Minutemen in the spring with six shutouts in eight games and has shown much improvement in preseason workouts. "They did a great job in the spring," said Koch. "It has been our prime focus and we are trying to make it difficult for teams to score. I like how far we have come, but we have a long way to go." Anchoring the defense will be 28-year-old Craig Canavan. The junior backer was in the United States Navy for five years, and provided the Minutemen an experienced, stabilizing force in the back. Canavan started 12 games, before a stress fracture in his foot sidelined him for the majority of the Atlantic 10 season. Junior Tim Kitchell brings a physical presence into the back and appeared in 16 games last fall. The duo should benefit from a season of playing time and be much improved from a year ago. Other returning backers that figure to compete for time are Ian O'Donnell and Marco Tuesta. This year's newcomers include Kenny Cook, Chris Brown and junior-college transfer Gil Jenkins. "We have good depth at defensemen as well," said Koch. "But they are unproven after our three significant returnees. They will have to step up and show they can contribute." GOALKEEPERS
Last year's goalkeeper situation found two unproven keepers battling it out for time. This year's goalie situation finds two proven netminders battling it out for playing time. Senior Colin Burns and sophomore Nick Billman shared time last season and combined for seven shutouts and a GAA of 1.24. "They have really improved since the end of last season," said Koch. "Coach Lowery has just done a fantastic job with them and I feel very comfortable with either of them in the net." Burns saw his most significant action of his career last fall and finished with a 6-6-1 record with a 1.46 GAA and a save percentage of .730. He was named Atlantic 10 Player of the Week after posting two shutouts (against George Washington and Richmond) on the opening weekend of Atlantic 10 play last fall. He has spent this past summer training with the PDL's Albany Blackwatch. "Colin has more confidence than he has ever had and will have a good year and lead the team in the back," said Koch. Billman and Burns split action at the start of last season, before it appeared Billman seized control of the starting job in mid-September. However, he sprained an ankle early in the 3-0 win over George Washington and never was able to find his early-season performance. Nonetheless, Billman finished with a 5-1-0 mark, a 0.90 GAA (tied for second on the UMass single-season GAA list) and a save percentage of .800. Billman recently competed in the Under-19 National Championships on the Region 2 Team (with teammate Ralph Pace; Richie Higa was on the Region 4 Team giving the Minutemen three players in the semifinals of the Under-19 National Championships). "Billman is a very smart player and has also shown a lot of improvement," said Koch. "Their hard work and training has really paid off big-time," said Koch. "I am not worried about the position at all heading into the fall." Freshman Peter Kersker, who spent the last year training at the prestigious IMG soccer academy in Bradenton, Fla., will also compete for time. NEWCOMERS
Koch has indicated that several newcomers will compete for playing time and for good reason. This incoming class includes a junior-college All-American, the Tucson (AZ) Player of the Year and a Connecticut All-State selection. "This has the potential to be the best class we have ever had," said Koch. "It is very similar to the recruiting class of 1995, when we had several freshmen step into a starting role and contribute mightily." That class consisted of Jake Brodsky, Paul Corcoran and Brad Kurowski, and compiled a 40-30-6 record during its four years. "We won't have as many starters as that team had, but we will have a number of newcomers that will contribute," said Koch. "They won't be token contributions either. They will make a big difference and make us a better team." SCHEDULE
Koch and the Minutemen will face one of their most difficult schedules in years, preparing them for the rigors of the Atlantic 10 Conference. "We are probably a year ahead of our ability in terms of our schedule," said Koch. "We are going to play against the best, hoping to learn and get better from the experience." The Minutemen open the season with a pair of exhibition games against the University of Montreal and Notre Dame. UMass edged Montreal 2-0 last season, but on its Canadian swing two years ago, the Minutemen had their hands full. UMass and Notre Dame have never met, but the Fighting Irish figure to be ranked in the top five nationally after finishing with a 15-3-3 mark and returning 12 letterwinners. "Montreal was the best team we played in Canada two years ago, and Notre Dame has a great soccer tradition," said Koch. "They will definitely show us what we need to work on." When the real season begins, things don't get any easier as the Minutemen head west to battle NCAA semifinalist Santa Clara and the University of San Francisco in the USF Classic. "I would be very surprised if Santa Clara is not in the preseason top four and San Francisco had a great recruiting class and has the potential to make the NCAA Tournament," said Koch. The Minutemen then return home for five straight games, including two in the UMass adidas Classic against Siena and Harvard and battles with regional rivals Maine, Hartford and New Hampshire. UMass closes out the non-conference part of the schedule at Boston University, before beginning A-10 play, which this year, looks wide open. "I can't think of one team that won't be good," said Koch. "There may be some big surprises in the league, such as Fordham and St. Bonaventure. Richmond and Rhode Island will be good and Duquesne will be tough to beat as well. Any team in the league could win the title this year." Will UMass contend for the A-10 title? If the Minutemen can mature ahead of schedule and get the growing pains out of the way, Koch feels his team can be competitive. "If we continue to tighten our defense, focus on creating chances and if our young players gain some confidence and experience, we hope to be right there," said Koch. "We have been focused on getting back to the A-10 Tournament ever since that loss to Rhode Island. Once you get there, as URI proved last year, anything can happen."

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