Swarthmore men's soccer preview
| Swarthmore will have more
than a few new faces in the huddle this season. Swarthmore athletics photo |
With a thrilling victory over Medaille in the 2011 ECAC final, the Swarthmore men's soccer program completed a remarkable four-year stretch. During that stretch, the Garnet's nine members of the class of 2012 combined to win two Centennial Conference championships, qualify for three NCAA tournaments and win a staggering 62 games in their careers. But the departure of those nine seniors, and eight starters from the 2011 season opener, leaves the Garnet with significant holes to fill in 2012.
Despite these losses, if head coach Eric Wagner's first 10
seasons are any harbinger of things to come, Swarthmore will be
more than prepared and retooled to compete for another Centennial
championship this season.
In his first decade at Swarthmore, Wagner's teams have an overall
record of 122-59-22 but he begins 2012 with one of his youngest
teams ever as the Garnet returns only three seniors. Captain John
Pontillo, a physical center back who, with 55 games played has
appeared in 20 more contests than any other player on the roster,
will join with classmates Thomas Drew, a versatile player who has
seen time in the midfield and on defense, and Jake Tracy, a
goalkeeper who has allowed just one goal in six career appearances,
to provide vital on-field leadership.
The Garnet loses its top three scorers to graduation in Fabian
Castro, David Sterngold, and Micah Rose. Castro and Sterngold were
both named Second Team All-Centennial while Rose was named First
Team All-Centennial and to the All-America squad as well. But
several young strikers and midfielders showed promise in 2011 with
Jack Momeyer, who scored five times in 2011, Michael Stewart, four
goals and one assists, and twin brother Geoffrey Stewart, four
assists, leading the way.
Pontillo and Noah Sterngold, a Second Team All-Centennial
selection in 2011, will be called upon as the experienced anchors
of the Garnet back line that held opponents well below a goal per
game last season. Cameron French, Geli Carabases, Jake Weiner and
Michael Superdock should all see significant minutes in the
defensive unit as well.
Swarthmore returns three goalkeepers from the 2011 squad but will
be without graduated David D'Annunzio, one of the best keepers in
program history. D'Annunzio finished his Garnet career with a
program-record 29 clean sheets and leaves behind massive cleats to
fill for the trio who have played a combined 240 minutes.
The Garnet opens the season with the 15th Annual Garnet Alumni
Classic, hosting Rutgers-Newark on Sept. 1 and Manhattanville on
Sept. 2 and then hits the road for four in a row before a physical
test with perennial powerhouse Stevens on Sept. 19. Centennial play
begins on Sept. 15 with a visit to Franklin & Marshall and
Dickinson visits Clothier Field on Sept. 22 for the Centennial home
opener. The team concludes the 2012 regular season hosting
Haverford under the lights for Garnet Weekend and Senior Night on
Oct. 27.
