SELINSGROVE, PA (August 31, 2022) – 2021 saw the Susquehanna University Men's Soccer Team continue their positive trajectory over the past few seasons and turn in their first season with a winning overall record since 2015. 9-8-2 overall and 3-2-2 in the Landmark, the team earned the fourth seed in the conference and made their first appearance in the Landmark playoffs since 2017. While they would fall to eventual champions Catholic, they managed to force Catholic to overtime during the regular season and managed a regular season victory over third seeded Elizabethtown on the road.
The team saw only five seniors graduate, meaning much of the key pieces return for the 2022 campaign, including All-Landmark First Team selection Michael Morelli and Second Team selection Adrian Dilascio.
Coach Jim Findlay, entering his 25th season at the helm, described his overall vision for this year. "We just want to win each game as it comes, that's how we look at things as a unit. It was great to get back into the playoffs, getting back last season after a couple years of missing out was great and we want to string consistent performances together. That game at a time mentality will naturally give us a chance at the Landmark championship."
He also spoke about the great parity that exists in the Landmark Conference. "We have a really talented conference overall; it feels like a very even distribution of challenge across the board. I think any team can come into the season and look at it as a chance to compete for those top four spots."
They intend to rely heavily on seniors for their strength of play and leadership, following up last year's strong group and the bar they set by leading the squad back into the Landmark playoffs. "I have great faith in the seniors, they're hard workers and have the attitudes and mindsets to be great players, which trickles down to the other classes. I think we've had a really strong preseason overall."
Position breakdown below:
Goalkeeper: The keeper group is stacked with talent and a great mix of youth and experience. As a sophomore last season, Gerrit Stech was locked into the starting role, earning 17 starts between the sticks and embracing the challenge despite being in only his first collegiate season, having lost the 2020 season due to the pandemic. He returns as a junior, looking to retain his position and improve on his excellent debut in 2021. The group has plenty of depth options as well, with fellow junior Hunter McDonald on the squad, who joined the team as a sophomore and has shown great improvement as a goalkeeper and a leader in his time so far and provides a great option alongside Stech. Sophomore Santiago Andino also serves as a strong option, having seen some time last season and making good gains from the end of his first campaign through this year's preseason.
Defense: The defense is bolstered by a strong group of seniors who help to lead from the back and provide a great platform for the entire lineup. Ethan Ganard, Sean Kellogg, Peter Vassilakos, and TJ Grube will be the mainstays in the back. The defense group also gets great depth from its youth, with sophomores Seth Sidle, Holden Miller, and Christian Williams all looking to contribute. Junior Christian Bell also looks to make an impression defensively, having battled injuries last season. Strong preseasons and great leaders. Christian Bell stepping up after battling injuries. Williams also struggled dealing with injuries last season and was ultimately unable to roster last year, so will be looking to make an impact in his return as a healthy contributor.
Midfield: Senior Walter Wyatt has been a solid contributor in seasons past, and now will look to take on greater responsibility as a starter and leader in the holding midfield position. Sophomore Clay Yannazzone also saw minutes in the role as well as in the back line and should see significant minutes this year. Sophomore Max Paczewski dropped from a forward to more time as an attacking center mid as last season progressed and saw success in that role. He'll look to fight for more starting time and minutes and make an impact on the score sheet. Junior Owen Healey has recovered after dealing with some injuries and health issues in the spring and offseason and will step back into a key role in central midfield, regaining strong form. Junior Miles Engler and sophomore Ivan Reyes have shown well in the midfield in preseason and will serve as great options off the bench in the middle of the park. Dilascio and senior Kevin Ayoso return as veteran players who will command big minutes and be a key part of both maintaining shape on the outside of the midfield and finding the net with regularity. Sophomores Tommy O'Keefe and Ben Sweeney have had strong preseasons, looking more confident and in better physical shape and should get regular looks in on the outside as well.
Forward: One of the headlining returners of the senior class, forward Michael Morelli embarks on his senior campaign after a stellar season in which he netted nine times and had four assists while starting only ten games. This year, he'll be expected to be the River Hawks' leading source of goals and potentially surpass his statistics and impact from last season, while also serving as a senior leader. Sophomore Zach Polovitch, who joined the team in the spring of his first year in 2022, will now enter his first full season on the roster and has been a pleasant surprise in his time thus far. He brings great fitness and energy and has served as a pleasant surprise and catalyst for competition among the team.
First-Years: "The new class came in in great shape and give us depth at all positions. Obviously, it takes time getting up to speed and accustomed to the physicality of college soccer, but they're all growing day in and day out," said Findlay of the first-year group. "We've got guys that are reaching the level of competing for a chance at minutes already, which is really promising for these young guys."
The team will get their season underway on Thursday, September 1, hitting the road to take on Misericordia University. Their first home match will come on Saturday, September 10, when they host York College of Pennsylvania at 2:00 PM at Sassafras Multipurpose Field.
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--RIVER HAWKS--
