2016 Men's Soccer Preview
Written by Andrew Capitelli (SJC-LI Sports Information)
Patchogue, NY| With 14 returners—six of which are seniors—first-year St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's soccer coach Alex Mendolia takes the helm for the 2016 season with expectations to not only match the side's Skyline Conference semifinal appearance last year, but surpass it.
"We expect to be right in the thick of it again this year," said Mendolia. "Since a large majority of the team in returning, we are confident that we'll be able to accomplish bigger and better things."
Among the large returning contingency—who suffered a penalty-kick deciding loss to Farmingdale State in the 2015 conference semis—is much of the offense. Justin Busto (7 goals, 3 assists, 17 points), Justin Heredia (7 goals, 3 assists, 17 points) and Michael Flynn (4 goals, 2 assists, 10 points) finished first through third in team scoring last season and will be leaned on to produce again in 2016.
"We expect Busto will lead the team in goals this season," added Mendolia. "He's a creative player and very good 1v1. He's also got a nose for goal and gets himself into dangerous positions."
Busto and Heredia, entering their junior and senior campaigns, respectively, earned All-Skyline Second-Team and First-Team nods a year ago.
Among the returners in midfield are seniors Dan Cheeseman and Eddie Whalen, who combined for seven points in 2016 and will provide expertise on both sides of the ball. Offering additional experience in the middle of the park is Robert Gomez, who took last season off after making a combined 17 appearances in 2013 and 2014.
"After very strong spring and preseason campaigns, we expect Robert to anchor our midfield as a pivot player," said Mendolia of Gomez. "He's got the ability to dictate the team's tempo offensively while also providing balance defensively."
Shoring up the backline will be 2016 All-Skyline First-Team selection Brian O'Sullivan, who will likely be paired in central defense with fellow senior Cody Kull. Junior Michael O'Shea will assume the right side of the Golden Eagle defense, while senior Avery Gomez, who finished third in the conference in goals-against average (1.66) reclaims his spot between the pipes.
Skyline Conference Men's Soccer Coaches Poll
1. Sage * (5) - 110
2. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (7) - 108
3. Farmingdale State - 100
4. St. Joseph's-Long Island - 94
5. Mount Saint Vincent - 73
6. Mount Saint Mary - 70
7. Yeshiva - 63
8. Maritime - 59
9. Old Westbury - 42
10. Purchase - 41
11. Sarah Lawrence - 18
12. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn - 14
Mendolia's incoming class will have the chance to make an impact right away, especially freshman forward Rayneri Ruiz (Brentwood, NY) who could slot into the starting-11 immediately. Mike Paterson (G – Selden, NY) and John Doyle (M – Lindenhurst, NY) round out the freshman class, while Shayne Johnson (F – Southold, NY) and Kyle Straker (M – Central Islip, NY) join the side as transfers.
SJC will open the 2016 season away to William Paterson on Thursday, September 1 before facing Kean five days later, also on the road. The side will see its first action at Danzi Stadium on Saturday, September 10 when they welcome Plattsburgh to Patchogue for the opening match of the SJC Invitational Tournament at 12:00 PM. The Golden Eagles will tangle with NJCU the following day at 2:30 PM in the tournament's closer.
Skyline play opens on Saturday, September 17 on the road vs. Mount Saint Mary, and conference and regular-season play will close on Wednesday, October 26 with a rematch of the 2015 semifinal at Farmingdale. Senior Day festivities will be held on Saturday, October 15 prior to a 12:00 PM match vs. Sarah Lawrence.
