The 2006 men's soccer squad's goals are nothing less than to put together a solid regular season, win the NESCAC crown and earn an NCAA birth. As difficult as these goals sound, none of the components to a complete season are without precedent. The men's soccer team has logged two brilliant half seasons in the past two years, each time fulfilling one of the three goals, but falling short of an NCAA birth, a feat last accomplished by the 2002 squad. In their 2004 campaign, the Jeffs started the season 10-1 only to falter down the stretch of the regular season (finishing 10-3-2) and ultimately against Bowdoin College in their first-round exit of the NESCAC Tournament. Last year, a squad compromised of mostly underclassmen, started 7-4 and made an improbable run to the NESCAC Championship game, missing out on the NCAA Tournament by dropping the championship game 3-2 to Wesleyan University. Amherst is currently ranked 43rd in the nation by d3kicks.com, a Web site devoted to Div. III soccer. Senior captain Mike Wohl stated, "That is what we deserve ... we have deficiencies that need to be addressed."

As Wohl remarked, "The few starters lost were key players on defense. We are hoping that two of the five incoming [first-years] Mark Crane, Javier Marin, Matt Lewis, Ansel Orr and Tom Moore will be able to step in and fill the void." Any of the first-years who show profeciency in defensive play will likely be chosen to take the field as defenders and/or defensive midfielders.

A more pressing concern, however, is the team's focus, irregardless of ranking or previous performance. Last year, Amherst found itself dropping a game to Tufts University, a team that finished the season with a losing record, and several matches to teams of comparable talent. These disappointments were partially due to what Wohl described as an inconsistent level of focus entering the match. This year the remedy will be found in approaching each match from the "nameless, faceless opponent" perspective, where a team's past achievements-or lackthereof-will not be a factor in the mental preparation for each game.

While not a senior laden team, the men's soccer squad is not short on veteran play. Ian Lovett '07E will return from a redshirt senior season. Although Lovett already fulfilled his captain duties last year, he will supplement the leadership provided by the official captains, Wohl and defender Robert Madden '07. While only projecting three starting seniors (Wohl, Madden Lovett) Amherst looks to field a team with six underclassmen who have postseason experience. Key players Amherst will count on include, but are not limited to Pedro Crouch '10, Taylor Downs '08, whose height [6' 4''] and athleticism should give him an edge over defenders in the box and allow him to exploit mismatches.

Forward Nick Lynch '09, Amherst's second leading scorer and leading assist man as a first-year, must continue to effectively find the back of the net and look to omit the frequent referee interaction that plagued his inaugural year. Junior John Kneeland's defensive play is lauded by his teammates. "He plays like Claude Makalele (a starring member of the French National squad), a steady, controlled player who helps the team maintain possession and control the flow of the game," said midfielder Joseph Addison '09. Wohl, Amherst's most decorated active player, will be counted on to repeat his stellar junior campaign and lead Amherst into the NCAA Tournament.

The Jeffs are a talented group and have a wealth of playmakers on the squad but their success in this season depends largely on the team's ability to gel together and maintain a consistent level of play. It will take a firm commitment to meshing the first-years into the lineup, keeping emotions in check during high-stakes games and maintaining a consistent, high level of intensity throughout the season.

NESCAC Notes

This season's schedule is extremely taxing with fifth-ranked Williams College, 19th-ranked Bowdoin College, and 26th-ranked Wesleyan College as Amherst's primary NESCAC rivals. Defending NESCAC champion, Wesleyan University looks to repeat its triumph as a perceived underachiever while perennial contenders Williams, Bowdoin and Middlebury College will undoubtedly compete for NCAA tournament spots.