Brooklyn College Men's Soccer 2011 Season Preview
Brooklyn, NY --- The 2011 Brooklyn College Men's Soccer team will look to rebound from its 2010 season, which saw the team post a 3-11-2 overall record, while going 2-6-1 in the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC); missing out on the conference tournament.
Gone to graduation from last year's squad are Muhammad Mutawakkil, Rondel King, Duane Heaven and Ruslan Alabashev; however, head Coach Rawle Hensford, entering his third season at the helm of the BC Men's Soccer program, will rely on a key nucleus of returners to help the Bulldogs vie for a spot in the conference tournament in 2011.
Sophomore Pajtim Gjonbalaj will look to build on his solid rookie campaign where he finished the season tied for the team lead in goals with five. "With leading goal scorer Gjonbalaj maturing and now having a better understanding of the league, he is expected to surpass his accomplishments from last season," said Hensford. Senior Igor Kozlov will help provide strong leadership, as well as continuing to be an offense spark in his final collegiate season. Last year, Kozlov dished out a team-best five assists, while also tallying a goal.
On the defensive side of the ball, junior Miguel Veliz-Fitz will look to help anchor the Bulldogs' backfield. Veliz-Fitz started in all 16 games for BC last season.
Sophomore goalkeeper Stamatis Boundouris will once again be the man between the pipes for the Bulldogs, after starting in 15 of BC's 16 games last season. Boundouris led the CUNYAC in saves per game (8.53), while ranking third in saves (128) and fifth in save percentage (.731). Nationally, Boundouris ranked 11th in all of Division III in saves per game. "I am looking towards continued leadership from Boundouris, as well as a continued effort of solid play between the posts," said Hensford.
"I am very excited about this season," said Hensford. "We have all the pieces to the puzzle to make a strong showing in the conference in 2011. We also have a host of newcomers from freshmen to transfers, which I am expecting to make an immediate impact."
Newcomers such as Reza Malek, Steven Favaloro, Peter Vavalle and Brandon Sewnath will all look to make their presence known for the Bulldogs this season.
During his senior season at The Beacon School, Malek played in 16 games, while tallying seven goals and three assists, helping lead Beacon to the 2010 New York City Public Schools Athletic League (PSAL) Division A Boy's Varsity Soccer Championship. Beacon would finish the season ranked 40th in the nation according to the ESPNHS POWERADE FAB 50 team rankings.
Favaloro was a four-year captain at Xaverian High School (2004-2007), helping lead the school to back-to-back CHSAA Championships (2004 and 2005). He notched 18 goals in 15 games in his senior season. Favaloro's high school teammate, Peter Vavalle, will also look to make major contributions to the BC Men's Soccer program this season.
Sewnath played at nearby Midwood High School from 2004-2007, helping lead the school to the divisional championship in three out of his four years. He was the team captain and MVP during his senior season. Sewnath would go on to play at Herkimer County Community College for two seasons (2008 and 2009), where he helped lead the school to the NJCAA National Championship in 2008.
BC will kick off its 2011 season on Wednesday, September 7th, as the Bulldogs will play host to the Rams of Farmingdale State College at 4:00 pm. Brooklyn will begin CUNYAC play at home against the Dolphins of the College of Staten Island a week later on Wednesday, September 14th also at 4:00 pm. Other notable home games for BC include the Baruch College Bearcats (September 21st) and the reigning CUNYAC Champions Hunter College Hawks (October 5th).
