Men’s Soccer Looks to Capture First Regional Title in 2007

HOBOKEN, N.J. (August 20, 2007) – Coming off an 18-0-3 record in 2006, the Stevens Institute of Technology men’s soccer team looks to capture its first regional championship in 2007 after falling one win shy of the national quarterfinals last season. With five of their seven leading-scorers from the previous year back in the mix, the Ducks are ready to compete for a title in their first season in the Empire 8.

At defense, Stevens brings back a third-team All-Metro Region selection in junior Sean Bliss (Phoenix, Ariz.). In 2006, Bliss was named to the All-Skyline Conference second-team as well as the CoSIDA Academic All-District squad. During the season, Bliss started in all 21 games and collected a total of five points on one goal and three assists. He also tallied the deciding goal in a 3-1 victory against Vassar College. Junior Jason Nachman (Johnson City, N.Y.) will also be looked upon heavily to help solidify the back four after losing first-team All-American Nick Gkionis (Jackson, N.J.).

Also helping out in the backfield are senior Chris Greenfield (Scottsdale, Ariz.) and sophomore Kevin Matyger (Newark, Del.). Last season, Greenfield appeared in five games (two starts) and notched one assist, while Matyger emerged off the bench 10 times and recorded three assists.

Stepping up into the starter role this year, senior Corey Connelly (Louisville, Ky.) will replace former goaltender Chris Celentano (Newton, N.J.) in the Stevens’ net. In 2006, Connelly emerged in net seven times and allowed just four goals in 392 minutes of work. 

Seniors Ryan Wilkison (Harrisburg, Pa.) and Craig Moquin (Breinigsville, Pa.) will be looked upon to anchor the Ducks’ midfield unit in 2007. Last season, Wilkison was named to the second-team All-Metro Region team and the first-team All-Skyline Conference group, while starting in all 21 games. He also accumulated a goal and five assists in his third year in a Stevens’ uniform. Moquin led the Ducks with 10 assists in 2006 and garnered first-team All-Skyline accolades. Moreover, he is seen as one of the best players in Division III men’s soccer by Head Coach Tim O’ Donohue (Weehawken, N.J.).

Senior Vershima Tivzenda (Atlanta, Ga.) and sophomores John Radvany (Yardley, Pa.) and Al Lockhart (Decatur, Ga.) will also add depth and experience to the Stevens midfield this season. In 2006, Tivzenda played in 17 contests, while Radvany made nine appearances for the Ducks and notched two goals in the process. As for Lockhart, he picked up second-team All-Skyline honors and became the sixth-leading scorer on the team after registering eight goals and two assists in his freshman year.

At forward, Stevens returns a trio of significant players in senior Mike Kaiser (Roy. Utah) and sophomores Todd Sheridan (Galloway, N.J.) and Terrance Johnson (Slidell, La.). Last year, Kaiser was a second-team All-Skyline selection and was the fifth-leading scorer on the squad with 19 points (seven goals, five assists). Sheridan is expected to play a big role in the upcoming year after a strong 2006. In the previous season, Sheridan was the team’s second-leading scorer with 28 points and he is considered one of the top forwards in the Empire 8 and Division III by O’Donohue. Subsequently, Johnson is coming off of a freshman campaign where he was tabbed with first-team All-Skyline, All-Metro and All-Region honors. He also led the team in scoring with 36 points on 16 goals and four assists.

Stevens is also bringing in a strong freshman class to help replace the departed seniors from last year’s squad. In 2007, O’Donohue brings in a pair of strong goalkeepers in Zach Carr (Carmel, Ind.) and Sam Callari (Bridgewater, N.J.). He also got a top defenseman in Chris Faustino (Union, N.J.), who is a transfer from Kean University. During the off-season, Faustino competed in the Red Bulls Youth Academy. At the midfield position, Esmir Vucetovic (Hackettstown, N.J.) is expected to get a lot of playing time and could be an impact player early on in the season.

“We are very optimistic on the upcoming season and are looking forward to playing in the Empire 8,” O’Donohue said. “We all feel that we are in a great position to win every time that we are on the field.”