SJC Men’s Soccer Out to Prove Last Year Was No Fluke
Nobody expected the St. Joseph's College (L.I.) men's soccer team to play for a Skyline Conference title last November. Under the tutelage of Tim Trava for the fourth year, the Golden Eagles finished the regular season right where they were expected forecasted to—in fifth place. And if it wasn't for a 1-0 victory over Maritime in the final regular-season match of the season, St. Joseph's would have missed the postseason altogether.
But, in the end, Trava and his men found themselves in sudden-death overtime of the Skyline Tournament final, one crucial moment away from glory. Yet it was Purchase that seized the moment and grabbed the double-overtime goal that gave the program its first-ever Skyline title.
Though it may be painful for the Golden Eagles to think back on that day, Trava is ensuring that his men do not dwell on the past, but look to the future. And despite his Skyline Conference colleagues selecting his side to finish third in the preseason poll, Trava believes his side is primed for bigger and better things.
"We return 10 starters that lost in double overtime in the Skyline final last year. We expect to not only be back there this year, but win the conference and advance to the NCAA Tournament," said a motivated Trava, who still holds St. Joseph's records in career goals (88) and points (199).
The 2004 graduate has the luxury of returning a wealth of experience in the form of 17 upper-classmen hungry to mark their place in St. Joseph's history. Trava will most heavily lean on senior captains Gaetano Innamorato (midfielder – West Babylon, NY) and Alex Guadagno (forward – South Setauket, NY) to set the pace for the Golden Eagles. Innamorato is a three-year starter who acts as midfield general, while Guadagno is considered "one of the best players in the conference" by his coach and will be expected to fill the net for the Patchogue outfit.
Junior and last year's leading assist-man Justin Heredia (forward/midfield – Patchogue, NY) is expected to tuck in underneath Guadagno in a #10 role, bridging the gap between the midfield and the lone forward. The All-Skyline Conference Second Team honoree also finished second on the team with 11 points last season.
Projected Starting XI
Joining Innamorato in central midfield is Suffolk County Community College transfer Dan Cheeseman (Center Moriches, NY), who arrives at St. Joseph's with two years of eligibility. Cheeseman registered three assists in 17 matches for the NJCAA Division III national champs in 2014. The duo will be relied upon to not only shore up the midfield, but they'll be counted on "to score a significant amount of goals," to help augment the forwards' production.
Sophomore Justin Busto (Hauppauge, NY) and senior Andrew Stasiewicz (Mt. Sinai, NY) will be tasked with providing width in the midfield and proper service to the forwards. In 2014, Stasiewicz tallied three goals, which placed in a tie for third on the team.
On defense, Trava is projected to start three of the four players who started in the side's Skyline final defeat in 2014. In an effort to replicate their 1.55 goals-against average (third in Skyline), junior Manorville, NY natives Cody Kull (2014 All-Skyline Conference Second Team) and Brian O'Sullivan will reprise their roles in central defense. Korey Robinson returns as right back for his senior year, having spent the past two seasons with the Golden Eagles after playing for Cortland as a freshman. Junior Eddie Whalen (Stony Brook, NY) will man the left flank.
In goal, junior Avery Gomez (Bay Shore, NY) will return, having played and started in 20 contests in 2014. Gomez led the conference in goals-against average (1.36) and shutouts (5), and finished second in save percentage (.822) and total saves (119).
Aside from Cheeseman—who is expected to make an instant impact—Trava welcomes three other recruits to his camp. Though all freshman, Kyle Conway (midfield—Holbrook, NY), Michael Flynn (forward—Speonk, NY) and Javier Reyes (midfield—Shirley, NY) are "all very talented and ready to contribute," and "should play significant roles this year," said Trava.
In an effort to raise the overall playing level of the team before conference play, Trava and the Golden Eagles will open their regular season at the Sonny Carter Invitational at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. St. Joseph's will play the hosts on Saturday, September 5 at 2:00 PM and Oglethorpe University on Sunday, September 6 at 11:30 AM before returning home.
2015 Skyline Conference Coaches' Poll
1. Sage (4) - 93 Points
2. Mount Saint Mary (5) - 92 Points
3. St. Joseph's-Long Island (1) - 75 Points
4. Purchase (1) - 72 Points
5. Farmingdale State - 59 Points
6. Mount Saint Vincent - 57 Points
7. Maritime - 47 Points
8. Yeshiva - 39 Points
9. Old Westbury - 38 Points
10. Sarah Lawrence - 17 Points
11. St. Joseph's-Brooklyn - 15 Points
"We are very excited to travel down to Atlanta," said Trava of the trip. "It's important for team building and allows us to test ourselves early in the season against some of the best competition in Division II."
Following the trip, the Golden Eagles will return home for their home-opener against Kean on Wednesday, September 9 under the lights for a 7:00 PM kickoff at the Outdoor Field Complex.
Trava and the team will host the Gary Smith Invitational on September 12-13, and will face Randolph-Macon on 12th at 12:00 PM and Stevenson on the 13th at 2:00 PM.
The Golden Eagles open their Skyline Conference account at home against Sage on Saturday, September 19 at 1:00 PM. They'll see revenge in a rematch of the Skyline final against Purchase on Saturday, October 3 at 2:00 PM at the Outdoor Field Complex. The date doubles as a part of the St. Joseph's College 100th Anniversary celebration and Breast Cancer Awareness Day.
The final home and conference match of the regular season—which will act as Senior Night—is slated for Wednesday, October 28 at 7:00 PM. The Skyline Tournament semifinals will be played on Wednesday, November 4 and with the final set for Saturday, November 7.
