Philadelphia, PA – (8/18/2010) – Anticipation is high among the members of the men’s soccer program as fall preseason begins at Chestnut Hill College. Head Coach Keith Cappo believes that the Griffins have found the right mix of experience and talent to establish the program as a contender in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC).
“It’s going to be a very exciting year. Morale is high across the program and we cannot wait to hit the ground running with this group of student-athletes and coaches.” Cappo stated. The Griffins return 12 student-athletes who saw major playing time a year ago, including nine starters; pair that with a crop of talented recruits and one can see why Cappo is eager for the fall.
Headlining the 2010 recruiting class is; forward Bobby Stocklin (Mt. Laurel, N.J.), forward Chris Wilson(Willow Grove, PA), and defenseman Ross Garabedian (Horsham, PA). Stocklin will be a target in the offensive box for the Griffins, at 6’4’’ he was an all-conference player at Paul VI High School. Wilson was a two-time, All-Philadelphia Catholic athlete at Archbishop Wood where he earned a reputation as a playmaker, and with the ability to play all over the field Garabedian is a versatile asset for Cappo.
The Griffins found some building blocks in last year’s freshman class; forwards Carl Essenthier (Philadelphia, PA), Ryan Lannutti (Calabasas, CA), and midfielder Mark Pugliese (Philadelphia, PA), and Goldstein. Essenthier and Lannutti each contributed three goals in their rookie campaigns and with a year of maturity, Cappo expects his young attack to be more productive and more polished. Pugliese and Goldstein claimed starting roles last year, capitalizing on opportunity. Cappo believes that both will do the same this year as they assume veteran roles in the Griffin backfield.
Juniors, Gavin Reid (Dundee, Scotland), Chris Moore (Berlin, N.J.), and Billy Shulski (Galloway, N.J.) will be a key group of contributors as well. In the midfield, Reid and Moore join senior Julian Fernandez (Galloway, N.J.) to form a formidable line. Reid has shown the ability to be a playmaker, while Moore’s versatility and Fernandez’s leadership will be critical elements in the Griffins’ 2010 success. Along with senior forward Yannick Wallace (Bowie, MD), Shulski has and will be a top reserve on attack for the Griffins.
On Defense, seniors Maurice Blanton (Bristol, PA) and Kyle Thornley (East Windsor, N.J.) return to anchor the unit. Blanton led the Griffins statistically last year with nine points, scoring all four of his goals on penalty kick opportunities while Thornley will be counted on for leadership along with his fellow captains, Reid and Fernandez.
The men’s soccer team opens the season on Saturday, September 4, when they challenge West Virginia – Wesleyan College in a 2:00 p.m. contest at the University of Pittsburgh – Johnstown Kickoff Classic.