After winning the Ivy League with a 6-0-1 record, posting a 10-4-3 record overall, and advancing to the first round of the NCAA playoffs last year, the men's soccer team is looking to repeat its stellar play this year. But it may take a little more work than last year, for several reasons.
"Winning after winning is probably the most difficult thing to do in any sport," said head coach Mike Noonan. "You are putting together a new team, dealing with the loss of All-Ivy players, and fighting against complacency."
The biggest loss to Brown from last year comes in goal production with the graduation of All-American Adom Crew '04. In 17 games, Crew had 10 goals, while fellow graduates Matt Goldman '04 and Seth Quidachay-Swan '04 each tallied two goals.
"Without Crew, we have to look for different answers personnel-wise," said assistant coach Scott Wiercinski. "New players will have to step up."
There are plenty of players from last year's team, as well as freshmen who may be primed to contribute.
"A lot of people are going to be able to step out of the shadow of Crew," said Andrew Daniels '07, who is one of the many returning sophomores with significant experience from last year.
Noonan believes a lot of players could contribute offensively.
"Hopefully, we are going to get offensive contributions from a lot of different places not only in goals, but in people creating good chances."
Both coaches and players are enthusiastic about the vast number of returning players and skilled freshmen who will bring a high level of competition to the team.
"This is one of the first years where we have a squad of 24 (players who can play well)," said Marcos Romaneiro '05. "Usually there are only 15 or 16 players who can contribute. It makes things competitive every day in practice because you are not assured a spot."
Having a large number of players who can come off the bench is an attribute Brown is looking to use to its advantage this year.
"The bench is integral," Wiercinski said. "(Against San Francisco) we played something like 18 players. And the guys who get more minutes know that they are only a good performance from a non-starter away from not starting themselves.
Defensive maneuvers
Much like last year, Brown will concentrate on maintaining a sound defense. Last season, the team surrendered only two goals in Ivy League play, both of which were on penalty kicks. The players emphasize not only the importance of defense in preventing goals, but how defense will be integral in creating offensive opportunities
"This year a lot of our attack is going to come from how we defend," Daniels said. "Counterattack and playing the ball quickly once we win the ball is very important."
Brown's stalwart defense returns two of the best defenders in the region, who will serve as co-captains of the team. All-Ivy and All-New England goalkeeper Chris Gomez '05 and All-American Jeff Larentowicz '05 have started in games since their freshman year, and look to frustrate opponents once again.
There are some holes to fill on the backline with the graduation of Edward Thurston '04 and Derrick Woodard '04 as well as a season-ending injury to Matt Britner '07, who started 16 games last season.
Wiercinski conceded there may be added pressure to some of the other players who have not played as much and some of the younger players may get a chance to see game time.
While freshmen are not always ready to play in their first year, Wiercinski has lauded the play of several newcomers, particularly Laurent Manuel '08 and Kevin Davies '08.
"Laurent is becoming more comfortable out there and Davies, who has already scored, has been a pain in the side of the opposition's defense," he said.
The team faces a tough schedule, with several tournaments laden with quality opponents packed in at the beginning of the year, followed by Ivy League play.
After last weekend's home tournament, Bruno will not return home to Stevenson Field until Oct. 2.
"Having a hard schedule is good for us," Romaneiro said. "Playing teams like Stanford and Clemson will definitely help us grow as a team and when the Ivy games come, hopefully we'll be ready."
All games count on the overall record, although an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament is awarded to the team winning the Ivy League.
Noonan says that the tournament games and non-league games are important in earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament if the team does not win the Ivy League.
Even before the season started, the team saw some of the stiffest competition in the world. While on tour in Europe, the Bears played four friendly matches against professional teams in several countries.
"It's a big edge," Daniels said of the games. "We've played against guys that make more than our parents."
Wiercinski added that some of the teams they played in Europe are better than any team Brown may face this year.
Regardless of who the Bears play this year, or how they did last year, they must remain focused all season if they hope to reach their goal of defending the Ivy League title.
"All the other Ivy teams have a bull's eye on us," Romaneiro said.
