Akron Adds More Zip in 2009

Can the 2009 Akron Zips be even better than the team that produced the number one pick in the MLS Superdraft?

It’s hard to imagine that a team losing players of the caliber of Steve Zakuani, Matt Tutich and Evan Bush could have even a remote chance of being better the following season. For most, it would probably be true, but not for Akron.

The team that finished 17-2-4 and participated in the NCAA Sweet Sixteen , returns 8 starters and is adding a wealth of talent in a stellar recruiting class. Coach Caleb Porter and his staff deserve enthusiastic praise for their hard work this offseason.

Akron U is certainly in a position to make a run at a national title next season.

Key Returning Starters:

Teal Bunbury – Forward

Ben Zemanski- Midfielder

Anthony Ampaipitakwong- Midfielder

2009 Recruiting Class:

For the best info on the new recruting class, visit these two sites:

College Soccer News – http://www.collegesoccernews.com/index_files/Page5638.htm

GoZips.com – http://www.gozips.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=47176&SPID=4334&DB_OEM_ID=10800&ATCLID=3666611

School Profile- Dowling College (NY)

This school of approximately 6,500 students, located in Long Island, NY, has had a long stretch of success in NCAA DII soccer. A small school founded in 1955, Dowling has drawn international appeal for its diversity in student-body and the increased exposure its received from the soccer program’s success.

The Golden Lions advanced to the Championship game again in 2008, after winning it all in 2006 and finishing as semi-finalists in 2001, 2003 and 2004. Winning at Dowling is tradition.

Coach: John DiRico, headed into his 18th season, has compiled a stellar record of 225-74-35. Not only does DiRico’s win/loss record impress, but he has also achieved 11 ECC Championships, 11 NCAA Tournament appearances, 1 National Championship, and multiple Coach of the Year awards as recognized by several governing bodies.

Players: In 2008 the most notable players were the African born Lamine Traore and Moussa Keita, both of which were named NSCAA All-Americans. All-in-all the Golden Lions are an extremely diverse squad with players from Africa, Serbia, England, Costa Rica, Sweden, Israel and of course the local NY talent. This is another testament to the quality of coaching at Dowling, proving that a Division 2 school can recruit players globally and win with the best of them.

Looking Ahead: 2009 promises to be another year full of high expectations. They are losing 6 seniors, but are returning a load of underclassmen talent including the aformentioned Traore and Keita, along with Steven Schneider and Michael Nicolini. Prognosticators will surely be predicting a return to the postseason for the Lions of Long Island.

Coach Profile: Bob Warming of Creighton University

With head coach Bob Warming being inducted into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame this week, it’s a good time to take a look at the powerhouse soccer program he has created at Creighton over the past 13 years.

Coach Warming was brought to Omaha to resurrect an all-but-dead Creighton soccer program. In his first year alone, he led a team of freshmen to an impressive 12-5-3 record, after several years of sub .500 results. He then brought the school national recognition as they made the top 25 rankings the following year, and soon after began a run of 17 consecutive years in the NCAA tournament. Bob took his team to a number 1 ranking in1993 and then decided to leave after the 1994 season. Lucky enough or Warming and Jays’ fans, he decided to return in 2001, and has once again reached the highest levels of the college game.

Bob is a six-time finalist for NSCAA National Coach of the Year, and has been named National Coach of the Year by Soccer News and Field Turf in 1993 and 2008 respectively. He has posted a career record of 183- 57-29 and is by far the winningest coach in Creighton soccer history.

Not only has Coach Warming’s impact been evident in the standings, but he also had a big part in building the success and momentum that led  to the construction of one of the finest on-campus soccer stadiums in the nation. The $13 million stadium holds 6,000 and is a key factor to the success of the program from both performance and recruiting perspectives.

Creighton finished 2008 with a 16-2-2 record and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA’s. Going in to the 2009 season, Warming looks to have another solid recruiting class headed by Southern California speedster Dion Acoff.

The future looks bright for the elder coach. The Jays players and fans are happy with their man, and their man is happy in Omaha.

Player Profile- SUNYAC Player of the Year- John San Filippo

PLAYER PROFILE

 NAME: JOHN SAN FILIPPO

                SCHOOL: PLATTSBURGH STATE U

POSITION: GOALKEEPER

 

 

San Filippo is one of the most decorated players to have ever donned the Plattsburgh State Cardinals goalkeeper jersey. A 3 year starter who came into the school with an impressive resume that made him a coveted recruit for Plattsburgh coach Chris Waterbury. After being the 2^nd choice keeper for Plattsburgh’s NCAA Final Four run when he was a freshman, San Filippo has started ever since his sophomore year and has collected almost every individual award he could get, an impressive feat for a goalkeeper.

 

Coming out of Division High School on Long Island, San Filippo played for the highly successful Albertson Red Storm where he won an amateur regional championship in 03-04. Upon enrolling at Plattsburgh State he played in 5 games and started one as a freshman as arguably the most successful team in the programs history went on a magical run to North Carolina and the Final Four stages.

 

When returning to the team as a sophomore he was the unquestioned starter and he showed just why by leading the conference goals against average (0.53), saves percentage (.837) and fewest goals allowed (8). This saw him named to the conference 1^st team and d3kicks website 1^st team all northeast region.

In his junior year he again was the starter in what turned out to be his finest year in the Plattsburgh State goal. In a year where he was named 2^nd team All American by d3kicks website and All Northeast Region by the NSCAA and d3kicks, San Filippo shattered school records. Once again he was named 1^st team All SUNYAC as he posted the school record 16 shutouts which ranked 1^st in all of Division III soccer and 2^nd in all of NCAA men’s college soccer. He also allowed just 4 goals in over 1800 minutes while leading the nation in goals against average (0.198), this was also a school single season record and he ranked 3^rd in Division III with a .927 save percentage.

 

In his final season as the Plattsburgh State Cardinals Goalie San Filippo continued to shatter school records. He broke a school record for consecutive minutes without conceding a goal at 1,233 minutes and 53 seconds, this ranks 2^nd in Division III soccer history. He also broke the school record for career shutouts with 31, career goals against average (0.44) and consecutive games with a shutout. He led the conference once again in goals against average (0.55) and shutouts (10).  To go with this he collected his 3^rd consecutive 1^st team All SUNYAC selection and was also crowned the Huntley Parker Award winner (SUNYAC player of the year). Once again to wrap up his glittering career he was named 1^st team All Northeast region by the NSCAA.

 

In the end it will be a huge task for the Cardinals to replace such talented goalkeeper and it’s also refreshing to see a goalkeeper receive so much recognition in an age were the players at the other end pf the pitch get a lot more of the glory. San Filippo will continue to play in the Premier Development League for the Long Island Rough Riders while also exploring professional soccer opportunities once he has graduated.

 

 

 

 

 

USL’s PDL and College Soccer – Match Made in Heaven

        For those of you not familiar with the USL’s Premier Development League (PDL) www.uslsoccer.com , it is the league so many talented college players participate and thrive in during the college offseason. With a relatively short season of 16 games running from May through July, the PDL provides the perfect competitive atmosphere for the college soccer player preparing to return to their school team in the fall, or for the player looking for another level of exposure to professional clubs and scouts.

So many of the players drafted in January’s MLS Superdraft spent significant time playing at PDL clubs across North America.  Sounders FC  top pick, Steve Zakuani, not only starred for Akron U but he also led the attack for the Cleveland Internationals in 2008. Not only are PDL players going on to MLS, but they’re also finding their success landing in leagues around the world. Long Island Rough Rider and 2008 ACC Offensive Player of the year with Duke, Mike Grella was just acquired by storied English club Leeds United.

The PDL is continuing to grow at a rapid pace and will continue to draw the bulk of its players from colleges across the country. This is the new generation of college soccer players in America. A generation that has so many more options for playing when the NCAA season ends, without having to sacrifice college eligiblity. These players are not only known to their alum and the fans in college towns, but now they are being seen by other media markets, coaches, scouts and fans.

Look for updates on your favorite college players playing with PDL clubs this upcoming 2009 season.

Brandt says adios after leading Messiah to another D3 title

After 24 years 0f coaching at his beloved alma mater, Coach Dave Brandt has decided it was time to move up the ranks and head to Division 1 Navy.

Now this is a story…..Here’s a guy who played for this small D3 Christian College in Pennsylvania, graduated in 1985 and has only led his team to six National Championships.

Dave Brandt may not be a household name in college sports, but believe it or not, this guy leaves Messiah as the winningest coach of men’s soccer in NCAA history. He will need to bring some of that magic pixie dust with him to the Naval Academy who finished 4-11-3 in 2008 and has posted a losing record of 24-34-9 over the past four years.

The new Messiah head man is yet to be named, but many are speculating that the job will go to seven year assistant coach, Brad McCarty. McCarty is another Messiah alum, and does have some head coaching experience at the juco and D2 levels.

No matter who takes over this storied program, you can bet that the Falcons will once again be a force to be reckoned with in 2009.

UCLA reloads…

                                 

The Bruins have put together yet another impressive recruiting class going into 2009.

For all the details check out… http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-soccer/spec-rel/020509aaa.html

Travesty? Why doesn’t USC (Southern CAL) have a men’s program?

It just doesn’t make sense to me that one of the most attractive and powerful universities in America has chosen not to field a Division 1 men’s soccer team.  This is a travesty in college soccer indeed.

USC, other than it’s neighbor UCLA, would be an obvious destination choice for the best soccer players from around the world, looking to pursue a higher education in the States. Yeah, I understand that American Football is king at SC, but you can’t tell me there aren’t enough scholarships left over for a men’s soccer program.

Southern California has long been a hotbed of talented players competing in CalSouth, San Diego’s Surf Cup and the many elite youth programs throughout the area. Can you just imagine how many of those Southern Cali kids would stay home rather than heading east for the programs in Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina?

The Pac 10 could use a 7th team, not to mention the other 3 that would make it really a Pac 10, and I think the Men of Troy are a natural fit. C’mon SC alum, get off your Trojan Horse, and convince the powers-that-be it’s time to  implement the beautiful game at this beautiful university.

2008 Division II Champion- Cal State Dominguez Hills

Cal State DH was a team of destiny in 2008, posting an impressive 21-2-4 record and going      12-0-0 at Toro Stadium on the road to Tampa, where they were crowned National Champs.

The team was led by NSCAA Div.II Coach of the Year and CSUDH alum, Joe Flanagan.  Coach Flanagan, in his 15th season, captured his second National Championship to go along with nine-consecutive playoff appearances, five CCAA Championships and four NCAA Far West titles.

After a strong 2007, where the Toros finished the regular season 18-3-2, they entered the 2008 season high on confidence and deep in talent. Four-time All American defender, Kevin Gallaugher and two-time All American mid-fielder, Kyle Holland anchored an experienced team with some dominating performances.

Junior, Kevin Gallaugher, proved to be a dominant force in the back for the Toros all season long and was also named Most Outstanding Defensive Player of the Final Four Tournament.

Alaskan native and graduating senior, Kyle Holland, will surely be missed in 2009. His 13 goals with 4 assists in 27 games, is going to be a tough contribution to replace.

Looking ahead to 2009, CSUDH will be losing 8 seniors, but have some great returning talent in juniors Gallaugher and mid-fielder Andrew Marinez.

Keep your eyes on the Toros in ’09. Expect big things again from Coach Joe and the boys.

2008 Champion- U of Maryland

      2008 was the year of the Terp or was it the year of the Rat? Either way it was a solid year for the UM soccer program and it’s third NCAA title. The program that has produced recognized talents such as Taylor Twellman, Robbie Rogers and Maurice Edu, is now introducing a new generation of pros with names like Omar Gonzalez (L.A. Galaxy), Jeremy Hall (Red Bull NY), A.J. DeLaGarza (L.A. Galaxy) and Graham Zusi (KC Wizards).

Head Coach Sasho Cirovski led the red, white and gold Terps in a year that started off on a slow note (1 win in the first 3 games) to their first National Championship since 2005. In his sixteen seasons at the helm, Sasho has created a national powerhouse with two NCAA Titles, five College Cup appearances and two ACC Titles.

The UM attack was led by team MVP, Jeremy Hall, who compiled 14 goals and 7 assists in 26 games played. Jeremy was a force to be reckoned with throughout the season and was awarded with a 2nd round selection in the 2009 MLS Superdraft by Redbull NY.

Two other players featured prominently on the championship run were defenders Omar Gonzalez and A.J. DeLaGarza. Two men of completely different stature with Gonzalez a towering 6’5″ tall and DeLaGarza measuring in at a generous 5’8″, anchored a Terrapin defense that posted nine shutouts during the regular season and only allowed one goal in the College Cup tournament. Both players, coincidentally, will continue their playing careers at the MLS level, as both were selected by the Los Angeles Galaxy to improve on one of the weakes defenses in the league in 2008.

UM’s run through the 2008 College Cup was impressive, even though they received a real scare in the semis when they went to double OT against St. John’s. Coach Cirovski’s exhausted team then repeated their ACC tournament result with a 1-0 victory over rival North Carolina.

2009 should be a reloading year for the Terps rather than a rebuilding year, even though they lost some very talented players in key positions. A solid recruiting class and highly-skilled underclassmen should provide for another exciting season of soccer at College Park.