O'Donnell is optimistic about veteran UMass Dartmouth team returning in 2000

(Dartmouth, MA) - With nine returning starters from last year's 6-12-1 squad, UMass Dartmouth men's soccer coach Niall O�Donnell thinks the 2000 season could be a major step forward for the Corsair program.

"This year�s team is by far the best team I have had since I've been at UMass Dartmouth," said O�Donnell, who is entering his fourth season with the Corsairs. "Last year we had a very talented skillful team but we were not very disciplined on or off the field and this hurt us in the latter part of the season."

O'Donnell points to the return of several key veterans from last year and the return of two players who had to sit out last season due to academic commitments. The returning veterans combined with a solid group of newcomers who are ready to contribute to the program have O'Donnell optimistic for the season ahead.

"The biggest additions to the team will be the return of forward Tore Terrassi (S. Easton, MA) and midfielder Jason Ponte (Dartmouth, MA), both players who sat out last season," said O'Donnell.

Terrassi is a fifth year senior and served as the Corsairs' team captain during the 1998 season, a role he will again fill this year. A sophomore this season, Ponte was UMass Dartmouth's rookie of the year in 1998, leading the Corsairs in scoring with 4 goals and 2 assists for a team-high 10 points. UMass Dartmouth will need a scoring punch from Terrassi and Ponte after losing its top three scorers from the 1999 season.

O'Donnell hopes a pair of first-year players will be able to move into the starting lineup at midfield. Ruben Almeida (Fall River, MA) a freshman from Durfee HS of Fall River, and Dave Fonseca (Ludlow, MA) from Ludlow HS have both turned in impressive performances during the pre-season.

"In the off season we have been able to fill some major weaknesses and add some depth to our roster," said O'Donnell, who will be joined by assistant coaches Rui Estrella and Rob Costa.

One area the Corsairs shored up was in goal where returning starter senior Eric Plant (New Bedford, MA) (4-10-1, 2.42 GAA) will be joined by a pair of promising newcomers to the program. Sophomore Jorge Fonseca (Ludlow, MA), a transfer student from American International College, and a former standout at Ludlow HS has joined the team along with freshman Seth Nelson (Bridgewater, MA), who played at Bridgewater/Raynham HS.

UMass Dartmouth�s defense will be built around a pair of veteran defenders and co-captains in senior Pat Gavin (Thornton, CO) and junior Mike Takacs (Winchester, MA) (2-1-5). Returning sophomore forwards Admir DaSilva (New Bedford, MA) (1-3-5) and Adrian Gonsalves (Somerset, MA) (3-3-9) will control the midfield for the Corsairs. An LEC Second Team All-Star in 1998, Gavin appeared in 18 games last year for UMass Dartmouth. Gonsalves was second in shots on goal last season with 34, while scoring 3 goals and 3 assists for 9 points fourth best on the team. The addition of freshman Russ Corkum (W. Springfield, MA) will also bolster the Corsairs� defense.

"The 2000 team appears to be better rounded and much more focused on playing as a team," O'Donnell added.

If UMass Dartmouth's veteran starters and newcomers can get off to a good start in 2000 they may have some chances to sneak up on opponents in the Little East Conference. The Corsairs were picked to finish seventh in the eight-team conference in the coaches� pre-season poll. Defending champion Keene State College was picked to repeat, while Plymouth State was second and UMass Boston and Western Connecticut were in a tie for third place.

The Corsairs will be tested early when they open the 2000 season at the St. Michael's Tournament in Vermont on Sept. 2-3. Following a non-conference game at Mount Ida on Sept. 7, the Corsairs will play their home opener against Salve Regina on Thursday, Sept. 14 at 4:00 p.m. UMass Dartmouth opens LEC competition on Sept. 23 at home against Western Connecticut.