With the addition of new Head Coach Justin Serpone, the men's soccer team is poised for a season of success and excitement. After finishing last year's season 12-3-2 and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, the Jeffs have high expectations for the upcoming season.
Key returnees include senior captains Ryan O'Donnell, John Kneeland, and Taylor Downs, as well as Nick Lynch '09, Grayson Holland '09 and Jake Duker '09. Junior goalkeeper Jeff Grover, who finished with the second lowest goals against average in the NESCAC, and NESCAC Rookie of the Year Matt Lewis '10 should also expect substantial playing time. Amherst led the league off the field as well, with 10 All-Academic Honorees, leaving Serpone with plenty of talent to work with.
"Our team feels a sense of direction that will lead to getting us to the next level both in our league and on a national level," said O'Donnell. "We have a large group of seniors looking to finish their careers the right way, along with really talented juniors and sophomores. When you factor in another great recruiting class, the pieces are laid out and throughout the year we'll be putting them together."
Serpone, former assistant coach for Duke University, is a native of Massachusetts and familiar with Amherst's ability to maintain excellence in academics and athletics. "I am honored to have been chosen to lead Amherst men's soccer," said Serpone. "For many reasons, Head Coach at Amherst College is the ideal position for me and I feel privileged that my career path has led me there." Serpone replaces the renowned Peter and Milton Gooding, the vivacious father-son coaching duo. Peter Gooding's extensive role in the Amherst men's soccer program will not only remain in the memory of those who worked with him, but also in the new Gooding Field Turf Stadium, dedicated in his honor.
Though the men's soccer team returns 32 players from last year's squad, Serpone contends that no player should take his place for granted, as cuts will be made. Serpone's stern policy has made the Jeffs' preseason regimen not only physically tough, but competitive. The returning players spent the final days of their summer vacation in Cape Cod brushing up on their ball skills and their team dynamics. "The preseason schedule was arduous but I was impressed with everyone's physical fitness level," said Holland. "I think we are all pumped to be back at Amherst playing soccer together."
After falling to Western New England College in the second round of the NCAA Tournament and Middlebury College in the second round of the NESCAC Tournament-two teams the Lord Jeffs had defeated earlier in the season-the men are back with a vengeance. "Getting to play in the NCAA Tournament last year was a great experience, but what we all have our eyes on is the NCAA title," said Duker who led last year's team in goals. "We are definitely capable." The Jeffs will have to bring focus and determination to every game this season as some of their biggest competitors are members of the NESCAC. WNEC and Williams College could prove to be some of the Jeffs most challenging competitors this season.
The men will open their season with a NESCAC home game on Sept. 8 against the Trinity College Bantams. "The preseason schedule has prepped us for victory. We're all eager to see the way things come together on Saturday against Trinity," said Downs.