2007 Men's Soccer Preview
8/27/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 27, 2007
Last year the Pitt men's soccer program advanced to the Big East Tournament for the first time in six seasons and captured the programs most league wins since the 2000 season. Pitt enters its 2007 season with two main goals. The first objective is to finish with a winning record, both overall and in the Big East. The second goal is to advance to the Big East Tournament for a second consecutive season. With Pitt's returnees and incoming recruits, both objectives are attainable.
"Both goals will be difficult to attain but that's what we want to achieve, said Luxbacher." "We want to build on last year. We played in the Big East Tournament last year and we expect to do the same and exceed beyond that. It's a difficult goal but anything less would a disappointment."
Last season Pitt finished with a 4-5-1 record in Big East Conference play. Luxbacher wants to improve on that record but knows that jumping the ranks of other Big East teams will present his team with a real challenge. It's also important that the Panthers improve their non-conference record. Last season the team finished 1-6-1 in non-conference play.
With 13 of 18 games last season decided by one goal or less, including five overtime games, (three of which went into double-overtime) Luxbacher believes anything can happen.
"We're entering the season with our eyes wide open," Luxbacher said. "Last year we were close in a lot of games but came up just short. We lost seven games by one goal. This year we want turn some of those tough losses into big wins. It's going to be a battle but we're looking forward to the season."
This year the Panthers will rely upon veteran leaders along with a talented young group of freshman. To be successful, Luxbacher believes the key to winning is to mesh the talented freshman with the core of returning players as quickly as possible.
"We need our incoming players to adapt quickly to the collegiate level because we only have two weeks of practice and then we're into tournament play already."
As usual, Luxbacher expects his players to give nothing short of 100 percent and says that competition for the starting positions will bring out the very best in his student-athletes.
"We've always believed in the concept that it's not about the best players, it's about the players who are playing the best," Luxbacher said. "You have to prove yourself day in and day out."
Leadership will also play a key part in the 2007 season with so many new faces. Pitt returns four solid seniors in Pat Kerr, Matt Langton, Eric Jaeger, and Shawn Wildman. Wildman, who graduated last year, was granted an extra year of eligibility from the NCAA. All four players have played key roles in the success of the program and should form the nucleus for the 2007 team. Luxbacher also believes several other returnees will step forward and provide leadership.
"Other players have stepped up too. Players like Samuli Ahola and Orane Gordon have emerged as leaders as well."
FORWARDS
Returning to ignite Pitt's offense will be junior E.J. McCormick and sophomore Chris Wilcox. Last season, McCormick scored two goals in eight starts. He has appeared in 31 career games and started in 13. Luxbacher has high expectations for the former high school All-American.
"E.J. has the ability to be a major factor for our team," Luxbacher said. "He has the tools to be an outstanding player. He struggled his first year, but last year he did a lot better. It's a process and E.J. continues to work at his game."
Wilcox rejoins the team after missing action in 2006 due to injury. Newcomers Evan Kluge, Adam Monteverde and Connor Malone join the squad alongside McCormick and Wilcox.
Luxbacher was quick to point out that the team will need more than one player to step up and several of the incoming players, Evan Kluge in particular, will give him several options. While the team showed signs of offensive prowess, no player finished the season with more than three goals, a fact Luxbacher states can be misleading.
"We're hoping that we'll have a group of players that will all chip in," Luxbacher said. "It's great to have a 15-goal scorer, but we don't have that kind of player. We do have a bunch of players who will come together and get the job done."
MIDFIELD
According to Luxbacher, the Panthers will again have great depth at the midfield position this season.
"You need to have depth, especially in a conference like the Big East where every game is a battle," Luxbacher said. "We play so many games and there are always injuries. You need players that can step in at any given time without missing a beat and I think we should be able to do that this year."
Pitt returns its top two point scorers from the 2006 season in Matt Baker and Matt Langton. Baker, who as a freshman started 17 of 18 games, led the team in both goals (three) and points (nine). Langton finished the 2006 season with two goals and finished second in points with eight. Also returning with experience are sophomores Mike McDade, Orane Gordon and senior Shawn Wildman.
Additionally, Luxbacher believes that several newcomers will push for starting spots and playing time. The Panthers welcome four talented newcomers at midfield including Rami Bensai, Justin Boehm, Ryan Brode, and Joe-Prince Wright.
"We're going to have several options at midfield. We should have six or seven players competing for the four spots, so everyone will need to be at the top of their game."
BACKFIELD
Defensively, Pitt returns four experienced players from last season. Seniors Pat Kerr and Eric Jaeger, along with junior Matt Firster and sophomore Samuli Ahola have combined for a total of 121 career games played and 102 career starts. The four defenders helped lead the Panthers to five shutouts last season while contributing two goals. Kerr and Jaeger will provide leadership to the backfield, Firster is a strong physical player and Ahola brings international experience. Joining the returnees will be newcomers Chris Cline, Andy Kalas, and Marshall Stula.
"We have a core group of returnees along with some incoming players who we think are going to compete right away in the backfield," Luxbacher said. "It's going to be very competitive and that's always a good thing because it will make everyone extend themselves to their fullest. I believe we'll be very capable in the backfield this year."
GOALKEEPERS
The Panthers will be without 2006 senior Andy Jorgensen who started 13 games, compiled 1.18 goals against average and finished with four shutouts. Pitt returns junior Jordan Marks who is the frontrunner to earn starting goalkeeper honors. In five starts last year Marks posted a 2.12 goals against average in 466 minutes of action. He has 12 career starts and a 2.05 career goals against average.
Pitt also welcomes senior transfer Eric Barnes (George Mason). A two-year starter at George Mason, Barnes will provide veteran strength to the team.
"I'm very confident with
At the same time, Luxbacher knows that Marks will have competition for the starting role.
"Eric is an experienced Division I goalkeeper and we expect him to come in and compete with
THE SCHEDULE
Pitt will look to surpass last year's achievement against a difficult schedule in both Big East and non-conference play. The Panthers open the 2007 season at the Xavier Soccer Tournament in
Following the Xavier Tournament, Pitt plays at Robert Morris on Sept. 4 before its first action at Founders Field in the Pitt Invitational Tournament on Sept. 7. The Panthers will then begin play in the extremely competitive Big East Conference. Pitt's 2007 Big East opponents include
The Big East expects to be strong as usual and Luxbacher knows that his team must perform at its highest level.
"As a conference, the Big East is as strong as ever," Luxbacher said. "It's arguably the best conference in the country. We feel we're going to be a very competitive team because we know that every game in the Big East is going to be a battle."
In addition, the Panthers will also play non-conference opponents UNLV, UC-Davis,
"We want to do much better in non-conference play this year because we didn't fair well last year in that category," says Luxbacher. "I believe we'll turn that around this year."