UMass Dartmouth Corsairs return an experienced group
of underclassmen for 2005 soccer season
 

(Dartmouth, MA) -- UMass Dartmouth men's soccer coach Ray Cabral returns two of his top three scorers and a total of 14 veterans from last year's squad, which posted a 12-7-1 overall record.  And despite a 3-4 record for sixth place in the Little East Conference, UMass Dartmouth  was seeded 7th in the ECAC Division III New England Soccer Tournament and advanced to the semi-finals before getting knocked out of the tournament.

Leading the returning veterans for 2005 will be the Corsairs’ second-leading scorer in 2004, senior forward and co-captain Tiago Pinto (New Bedford, MA). His 12 goals and one assist gave him 25 points, while sophomore forward Lee Soares (Dartmouth, MA) is coming off a solid rookie season in which he had nine goals and three assists for 21 points.

With a roster that includes only three seniors, UMass Dartmouth will be able to take advantage of depth at several positions provided by an experienced group comprised mainly of underclassmen.   Among the other returning veterans this season are senior midfielders Jon Hafer (Marlboro, MA) and co-captain Justin Jenne (Proctor, VT) along with sophomore Andrew Ventura (Dartmouth, MA) on the back line.  Other returning players with experience from last season include sophomores Jesse Vezina (Somerset, MA), Chris Bernardo (Raymond, NH), Robert Harvey (Lakeville, MA), Rudson Oliveira (Hyannis, MA), Nicholas Szwaja (Swansea, MA), and Christian Da Silva (Lowell, MA), plus juniors Bob Jaquith (Spencer, MA), Dennis Toomey (Edgartown, MA).

“We have some solid goal scorers up front and top veteran players at every position,” said Cabral.  “We also have some depth this season with the new players coming in the program.”

The Corsairs will also enjoy the benefits of two returning starters in goal. Sophomore Kyle Fossey (Townsend, MA) posted a 3-3 record with a 1.54 goals against average and a .733 saves percentage in his first season. Pushing Fossey for the starting spot in goal will be sophomore Adam Rolfe (Southwick, MA) who also saw some playing time in his first season (1-0, 0.33 GAA, .977 saves pct).

“Both goalies saw action last season so I think they will both be battling for playing time all season long,” Cabral said.

If there were one area that concerns Cabral in the early going it would be the play along the back line. Having lost a pair of experienced veterans from last season, Cabral said he needs to be sure that the combination he plays on the back line know exactly what is expected of them.

“We’re going to have a least two or three freshman in the starting lineup, so we just have to be patient with their development,” Cabral said.

Among the newcomers Cabral expected to make a run at the starting lineup are Frank Giampa (Norwood, MA), Matthew Correia (Dracut, MA), Jason Bettencourt (Lowell, MA), Manuel Raposa (New Bedford, MA) and Divam Viera (Brockton, MA)

“We need to work on bringing our new backs into the lineup and getting them to combine with our midfield and attack,” Cabral said.  “Vezina is the only real returning veteran so Ill be tinkering with the lineup that I send out on the field, especially in the early part of the season.”

In order for the Corsairs to succeed this season, Cabral said the Corsairs need to be solid on defense.  As long as UMass Dartmouth can keep opponents scoring down, Cabral is confident his goal scorers will be able to find the net.

The Corsairs were picked to finish fourth in the Little East Conference Coaches’ pre-season poll released before the season started.  Three-time defending champion Keene State was picked to finish first with 59 points and six first-place votes, followed by Plymouth State (2 first place votes, 52 pts) and Rhode Island College in third place (47 pts).

UMass Dartmouth opens the 2005 season with three non-conference games away from home before the Sept. 7 home opener against Lasell College.  The Corsairs will also host Eastern Connecticut State University in the Little East Conference opener on Sept. 17 at Cressy Field.