Men's Soccer Squad Looks Ahead to 2006
8/24/2006 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Aug. 24, 2006
Despite Pitt's disappointing 2005 season, Head Coach Joe Luxbacher believes that his solid core of eight returning seniors will lead the way. Numerous changes have been made over the 2005 season and Luxbacher has high expectations for the 2006 season. In order to have a successful season, Luxbacher expects and demands commitment and contribution from all 25 players. "We require high standards of our student-athletes in all aspects of our program--the classroom, training and preparation for upcoming opponents and in our commitment to put the best possible team on the field for each match," Luxbacher said. Leading the way will be eight seniors including Keeyan Young, Tyler Bastianelli, Shawn Wildman, Mike Cunha, Tom DeCato, Brendon Smith, Andy Jorgenson and Adam Walkowiak. Pitt also welcomes five newcomers to the 2006 squad. The recruiting class includes two international players in Juha Samuli Ahola ( "I like the makeup of our team," Luxbacher said. "We have a good group of seniors and returnees and some promising newcomers. We have a solid core of players who are coachable and committed; I am looking forward to the upcoming season." Last season, Pitt struggled on the defensive end, yielding a program-high 39 goals against. Pitt's number one priority in the upcoming season is to improve defensively, starting in goal and on the field. "Our primary focus as a team will be to collectively play solid defense, to be competitive in every match and to have a successful season," Luxbacher said. As always, one of Pitt's main goals is to earn a Big East Tournament berth, which is always a difficult challenge in itself. "The Big East is one of the nation's best soccer conferences," Luxbacher said. "Last year, we had as many as six teams ranked among the nation's top-20, seven of which earned NCAA bids. It will be difficult to make the tournament out of our division, but that's what we expect to do. That's our goal." FORWARDS Returning to anchor Pitt's offensive attack in 2006 are seniors Keeyan Young and Tyler Bastianelli. Young, who returns after missing the majority of the 2005 season with an injury, will compete in his final season of eligibility. Young led the Panthers in scoring in two of his first three seasons and ranks among the all-time school leaders in career scoring (21 goals, tied for 8th place), career assists (11, tied for 10th place) and career points (53, 7th place). "Keeyan has only touched the surface of what he's capable of accomplishing," Luxbacher said. "I think Keeyan is capable of a big year if he is fit and focused." Bastianelli has seen action in 49 career games at Pitt and has scored five goals and registered three assists. He is a three-year starter who will be counted upon for leadership and solid play. Another key returnee for the Panthers is sophomore forward E.J. McCormick. McCormick, who played in all 16 games as a freshman last year, is a former high school All-American selection. "E.J. has the potential to be a very good player," Luxbacher said. "The Big East is just a different level and E.J. struggled last year, but I've seen him in training, and I think he will definitely push for time upfront this fall." Young, Bastianelli and McCormick will be joined upfront by newcomer Chris Wilcox. "It's going to be extremely competitive for playing time," Luxbacher said. "Whoever is sharp and playing well, will be in the game. All of four these guys have the ability, but players have to be pushed to really rise above the others. We are going to go with who is playing best at that time, not necessarily the best player." MIDFIELD Luxbacher has several options in the midfield where six key players return with experience. The position group has the largest and most experienced group of players competing for playing time. Veteran returnees include seniors Tom DeCato, Shawn Wildman, Brendon Smith and Mike Cunha. Juniors Chris Bastidas and Matt Langton both return with experience and four newcomers will challenge for playing time. DeCato earned an extra year of eligibility due to medical school. The 2005-06 Big East/Aeropostale Male Scholar-Athlete award recipient, DeCato has started 31 of his 40 career games played at Pitt and has totaled 13 career points (four goals/five assists). "Tom is a flank midfielder we count on for good play and experience," Luxbacher said. Wildman, who has battled extensive injuries during his Pitt career, will also compete for playing time in the midfield. Two-year team captain Brendon Smith can play as either a holding midfielder or as a defender. A three-year starter, Smith has played in 48 career games and has scored three goals and registered two assists at Pitt. Cunha has started 37 of his 38 career games in either the midfield or backfield and has totaled two career assists. Also returning to the midfield are juniors Chris Bastidas and Matt Langton. Bastidas, who has played in 30 career games at Pitt, has scored one goal and registered two assists. Langton will also compete for time in the midfield position after appearing 14 of 16 Pitt games in 2005. Sophomore Sean Ryan will also accompany the midfielders in 2006. Ryan appeared in all 16 games in 2005, earning 10 starts and registering one assist on the year. Four newcomers will challenge the upperclassmen as Pitt welcomes freshmen Matthew Baker, Orane Gordon and Michael McDade, along with junior Matt Detzel. BACKFIELD Defensively, Pitt returns several players who played key role last season. Junior Steve Cavalier is a two-year starter who returns to the Pitt backfield after a productive 2005 season. He started all 16 games and totaled four assists on the year. Overall, Cavalier has started 31 of 32 career games and registered five assists. Two juniors figuring to see plenty of action in the backfield include juniors Eric Jaeger and Pat Kerr. Jaeger earned five starts and scored two goals last season as a sophomore, while Kerr saw action in 30 career games and will be a key factor as a central defender in 2006. Second-year players Ryan Frick and Matt Firster all return with a year of experience. Firster had a productive 2005 season, starting all 16 Panther games and scoring two goals on the year. Newcomer Juha Samuli Ahola, along with seniors Smith and DeCato will also push for starting spots in the backfield. GOALKEEPERS Pitt returns two goalkeepers with extensive collegiate playing experience in senior Andy Jorgensen and sophomore Jordan Marks. Both are highly capable of become excellent goalkeepers. The difference in their strengths gives them each a competitive edge while competing for playing time. A senior, Jorgensen has accumulated a 3.15 career goals against average and .678 save percentage in six career starts. He has made 44 career saves and allowed 21 goals. Last season he saw action in 235 minutes and made two starts. Marks started six games and played in 585 minutes in 2005 and led the three Panthers goalies in saves (40), goals against average (2.00), save percentage (.755) and wins (two). Marks also registered a .755 saves percentage by allowing 13 goals. "From a goalkeeping standpoint, it is critical to be stable," Luxbacher said. "We are looking for a player to provide leadership and give us a good solid play game in and game out. Both of these guys can do that. It's going to be tight as the season approaches. Jorgensen and Marks are really going to be neck and neck, but we'll see who rises to that level." THE SCHEDULE As in year's past, Pitt will face another challenging schedule in 2006. Pitt opens its 2006 season with a difficult tournament at "We have not seen either of these teams for years," says Luxbacher. "Both of these teams are strong and have had high rankings in the past." Pitt will play Big East opponents "The Big East Conference is arguably the strongest collegiate soccer league in the country, so competition will be extremely stiff, but I feel we are up to the task," Luxbacher said. "There have been changes in the league and most of these schools are funding soccer to the maximum, so it's going to be a very strong league." Pitt will also compete against non-conference teams such as
