Williams College: Men's Soccer Season Outlook
Mike Russo will enter his 36th and final season at Williams with a roster that includes 15 players that appeared in at least 16 of 22 games in 2013 when the Ephs went 15-7 and advanced to the Final Four in San Antonio for the second straight year.
The last two Final Four appearances came via wins over arch rival Amherst in Amherst; on PKs in 2012 and, 1-0, in 2013, snapping Amherst's 40-game unbeaten streak.
Russo in 35 years at the Eph helm has fashioned an impressive record of 430-110-58 (.768), which far exceeds the success the Ephs had prior to his arrival in their first 56 seasons: 208-166-49 (.560).
Among active coaches with 400 wins Russo ranks second in winning percentage and he is tied for 11th all-time in Division III in wins. Russo has fashioned an impressive streak of 32 consecutive winning seasons leading the Ephs.
Eighteen times in the 21 years that NESCAC has permitted NCAA Tournament play Russo's Ephs have qualified. His 1995 Ephs won the NCAA title on Cole Field while the 1993 team finished second, also on Cole Field. The 1998, 2009, 2012 and 2013 Ephs finished third.
To extend the Eph streak of Final Four appearances to three Russo will need to find replacements for five graduated seniors, all of who played in at least 13 matches in 2013.
Players lost to graduation in 2014 include starting goalie Peter Morrell, forwards Matt Kastner and User Kushaina, along with backs Dan Lima and Josh Miller-Lewis. Morrell and Lima were team captains and the focus of the Eph defense. Lima also saw time up front later during the year.
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| Luke Pierce '15 |
Lima and Miller-Lewis on the backline helped the Ephs limit the opposition to just 22 goals in the 22 contests last season. Kastner, who also lettered all four years in baseball, notched five goals and three assists on the year, while Kushaina netted two goals. Lima also scored twice last fall.
Morrell played all but 40 minutes in 2013 compiling a save percentage of .800 and a 0.96 goals against average, while recording eight shutouts.
Sophomore Christian Alcorn appeared in three games in relief of Morrell last season and allowed one goal in 27 minutes, while senior Andrew Bravo played 14 scoreless minutes in two appearances.
"Incoming first year Bobby Schneiderman (Livingston, N.J.), is expected to push veterans Andrew Bravo and Christian Alcorn for the starting position," said Russo. "It will be difficult replacing Peter Morrell, but all three have the potential to rise to the occasion."
Russo returns plenty of experience this fall with eight seniors. Senior midfielder Matt Muralles is the leading returning scorer. Muralles topped the 2013 Ephs with seven goals and three assists (17 points). He earned NSCAA All-American honors (51st Eph All-American under Russo) along with First Team All-NESCAC and First Team All-New England honors.
Five of Muralles' goals in 2013 were game-winners.
In the attacking third of the field this fall Russo will be counting on junior Mohammed Rashid to help power the Eph offense. Rashid, limited to just 16 games in 2013, managed to tally five goals and register five assists (15 points) with his explosiveness. Rashid is always a threat with his speed, ball skills, and his willingness to share the ball. Notable also is Rashid's determination to get back and help the Ephs defend
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| Mohammed Rashid '16 |
The NESCAC Rookie of the Year as a freshman, Rashid, made enough of an impact after missing the first month of the 2013 season with an injury to garner Second Team All-NESCAC honors.
Junior Jonathan Westling also netted five goals in 2013 and will be counted on to add more in 2014 by getting on the end of corners with his 6-3 frame. Westling also contributed one assist (11 points).
Also returning up front are four-year letterman Zach Grady who appeared in 20 games a year ago and sophomore Brandan Dory who appeared in 18. Grady tallied one assist last year. Dory, who stands 6-5, scored one goal in his debut season. "Brandan has the physical tools to become an outstanding target striker but also can play in the back or in midfield if need be," stated Russo.
"First year, Mark Sisco-Tolomeo (Franklin Lakes, N.J.) will challenge for minutes in the striker position as he was a legitimate goal scorer for his high school and club teams," commented Russo. "We have depth in the front line and possess players with pace, skill, and the ability to create goal scoring opportunities either through individual action or combination play," added Russo.
Russo has an uncanny knack of producing players who can contribute in more than one position on the field.
Senior back Chris Conder led the Ephs in assists in 2013 with six and he added two goals for 10 points. Though primarily used in the back during the regular season, Conder saw valuable and productive time in the midfield in post-season.
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| Chris Conder '15 |
It was Conder who sent the Ephs to San Antonio and the Final Four last fall when he curled a left-footed shot over two Amherst defenders and into the left side of the goal, in the 78th minute to deliver a 1-0 win.
The deepest and most talented portion of the Eph roster is the midfield, which is led by the highly touted Matt Muralles. Russo has a large group of talented veterans to employ in the center of the field and he likes to rotate them frequently to take advantage of fresh legs attacking tired defensive legs. "In attacking roles seniors Nathan Miller, who is indefatigable and appeared in 19 games last fall, and Michael Madding, who is returning after missing the entire 2013 season with an injury, will assist Muralles in creating chances," said Russo.
Junior Noah Grumman appeared in 21 games in the middle of the pitch last season and he will be joined there once again by classmate Troy Ritter and senior Nathan Miller. Miller made 19 appearances last season while Ritter started 16 of the 17 games he competed in. "Noah Grumman and Troy Ritter will look to hold down the defensive midfield position as both are ball-winners who are good in the air and possess good distribution skill," Russo stated.
Sophomore Malcolm Moutenot made a strong impression in his debut season scoring four goals and assisting on one (9 points), while appearing in all 22 games. Patrick Gordon, also a sophomore, knocked home two goals and assisted on two a year ago will add to the dynamism of the Ephs' midfield.
"Malcolm Moutenot and Patrick Gordon provide speed and skill on the flanks and along with first years Tom Young (Scarsdale, N.Y.) and Malcolm Singleton (Atlanta, Ga.) should provide quality service from that part of the field," Russo stated.
Three younger attacking-style players will also be looking to contend for time in the midfield in sophomore J.C. Bahr-de Stefano and incoming first years David Madding (Hillsborough, Calif.) and Ben Metrikin (New York, N.Y.).
Senior captain Luke Pierce, who will also letter all four years in baseball for the Ephs, will again anchor the backline as the center back. "Luke plays with great intensity and is physically strong, tough, and is the best header on the team," offered Russo. "He will be a genuine leader in the backline."
Seniors Andres' Burbank-Crump and Chris Conder will provide plenty of leadership and support for Pierce across the backline. Burbank-Crump, a captain, is coming off an injury-shortened campaign that limited him to 17 games last fall. He scored one goal and assisted on one a year ago.
Conder, who has the ability to deliver precise long balls forward, might see time at both midfield and on the backline. He also played in 19 contests last season.
Also returning to the defensive third of the field are senior Chris Seitz and junior Geoff Danilack, both of whom appeared in all 22 contests in 2013, "Geoff Danilack possesses very good defensive ability and is an excellent passer of the ball," Russo noted. "Chris Seitz and sophomore Kevin Mercadante will battle it out for the wing back positions." Milan Jones, a first year (Denver, Colo.) will also be looked at as a wide back and the physically imposing first year Tobias Mueller (Burlington, Vt.) could make an impact at the central defender position."
As has been the case in his first 35 years, Russo will be grooming his team to be ready to compete for the Little Three, NESCAC, and NCAA championships as the curtain falls on his final campaign in the Purple Valley.
The Ephs will open the 2014 season at home on Cole Field hosting NESCAC foe Colby at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6.
