SAINTS SHOOT FOR SEVENTH STRAIGHT NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCE

The St. Lawrence University men’s soccer team is set to open the season this weekend in the Lotto North Country Tournament. Ranked ninth in the nation in the NSCAA/adidas pre-season poll, the Saints look to begin another successful year. A group that is used to winning, the senior class has a three-year record of 51-7-3 and the Saints have made six straight NCAA tournament appearances.

Here's a peek at what's in store for the 2004 St. Lawrence University Men’s Soccer Team:

FORWARDS

Although Coach Bob Durocher has not finalized his starting lineup yet, the Saints will look to Steve Watson, Charlie Bogosian, Ryan O’Dowd, Charlie Bour, Mark McIntire, Eze Rodrigo, Jason Koshi, and Joe Domingo to provide offense. Other players who could play critical roles up front are James Merrill and Panos Georgiadis. Coach Durocher thinks that Watson could chase the record for goals in a season that is currently set at 16; and Bogosian, who was the UCAA Co-Rookie of the Year last year, is a pure athlete with Division 1 speed who will be an impact player for the Saints. As seniors, O’Dowd, Bour, and McIntire will bring much experience to the lineup. O’Dowd is a strong player who has had a lot of starts in his three years here. Bour, who is a captain this season, is a very technical player whose ball control will be essential to setting up attacks. McIntire who, in the past, has been a role player for the Saints has scored huge goals and is constantly creating chances. Rodrigo is a senior who will start in either a forward or midfield position for the Saints this season. He has been described by his coaches as crafty and dangerous in the offensive third of the field. Jason Koshi also will see a lot of time this season. The senior is known for his work ethic and leadership. Coaches describe Domingo as a composed playmaker up front who will see time throughout the year.

Merrill and Georgiadis could see time in either the front or midfield for the Saints. Coach Durocher describes Merrill as being a very hard worker and having tremendous speed. Georgiadis is a very technical player, also with great speed.

MIDFIELDERS

The Saints are excited to have Phillip Koshi back after missing practice time with a torn ACL. His long throw is not only essential to playing in the midfield, but it sets up chances and helps to fuel the offense. According to Coach Durocher, Nick Mangee, who is coming off of an injury, is looking better than ever. Elliot Savitz will also play a key role for the Saints this season. His speed, passing, and distribution abilities will be essential in the midfield. The Saints will look for Gil Schaper to continue to be very consistent this season. Also, David Osorno, who is quick and deceptive, will see time in the midfield as well. Axel Galeano, a skillful sophomore, will also contribute in the midfield this season.

DEFENSE

Evan Schutt, Brendan Tougher, Chris Harrison, Sean Charles, and Garan Diarra will all see time in the back this season. Senior Captain Evan Schutt, who was a second team All-American last season, is described as a very intense player who will lead from the back. Having 18 starts as Rookie, Tougher will anchor the middle of the backfield. Harrison, who is only a freshman, is a smart and technical player who will see time this season. Charles, also a freshman, is a big, strong back with speed who will contribute for the Saints. Diarra is a strong, intelligent defender who will have plenty of chances to contribute this year. Messan Agbossoumonde and Mike Bobbie will also see time in the backfield this year. Kyle Krueger, a senior who started every game last year, is not healthy and will not start the season.

GOALKEEPER

The Saints will look to Jordan James, a captain, to anchor the net. Coach Durocher explained James as a vocal leader who takes goals personally. Senior Nate Farrell will be a solid backup for James in the net.

THE SEASON

When talking about the upcoming season, Coach Durocher was quick to point out that each competition will be tough. The Saints will have to play each game to win in order to fulfill the expectations that they have placed upon themselves. The senior class, which has been to the NCAA tournament all three years and to the national semifinals in 2002, will accept nothing short of a National Championship to consider this year a success.

A team that Coach Durocher says has more depth of any team in recent years; the Saints are at least two men deep in each position, a quality that will be essential late in games. St. Lawrence is stacked with 24 returning players, as well as 6 freshmen.

According to Coach Durocher, practices have been very competitive and the Saints are working hard to earn time. The coaching staff works hard to make every drill in practice a competition. This creates game-intensity situations on a daily basis, and allows each player to know where he stands on the depth chart.

Last season, Coach Durocher felt that his team was too complacent, and that slow starts attributed to losses. He added that, “this year, we need to score more goals and play together.” Coach Durocher is anxious to see if this group has the hunger and desire that is needed to carry them through the post-season.

MEN’S SOCCER RANKED 9TH IN PRE-SEASON POLL

The NSCAA/adidas pre-season poll ranked the Saints ninth in the Nation this week. Trinity of Texas, which went 24-0-0 last year, is first. This year's senior class takes a three-year record of 51-7-3 into the upcoming season, and the team has made six straight NCAA tournament appearances.

The Saints will face their first opponent in the Lotto Classic at Clarkson the weekend of September 4th and 5th. Their first game will be Saturday, September 4th against Muhlenberg at 2:00 p.m.