Aug. 24, 2006

ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. - Why not them?

That simple question is foremost on the minds of St. Bonaventure's men's soccer team as it prepares for the upcoming season.

Second year coach Mel Mahler's team is a blend of veterans and newcomers with 14 returners and 13 first-year players. There are upperclassmen who are taking on leadership roles for the first time and freshmen brimming with enthusiasm for their first college games.

Last year, the Bonnies finished 3-5-1 in the Atlantic 10 and were in the hunt for a spot in the A-10 Tournament going into the final weekend. While outsiders may expect little from this year's Bonnies, Mahler said his team has taken the "why not us?" mentality to heart.

"They've bought into the philosophy of whatever it takes to be successful, we have to do. That has been the most encouraging thing," Mahler said. "We have good team chemistry. The older guys are looking after the younger guys. We have some young players who are going to help us in because they are surrounded by experienced players who are going to help them along."

The philosophy - and the team's ability - will be tested early as St. Bonaventure plays its first six games away from home. The schedule starts this Saturday, Aug. 26, with a night game at Colgate and is followed by contests at Akron, Bucknell, Holy Cross, Massachusetts and Buffalo. Mahler figures that stretch will show him a great deal about his team.

"Being on the road that much is a good thing because it gives us more time together ... we need that right now," said Mahler. "Even though we're on the road, it's a schedule that gets us ready for the (Atlantic 10) conference."

The nine-game regular season A-10 slate includes five home games starting with Fordham on Sept. 30 and ending the on the final weekend of October when Saint Joseph's and Temple visit McGraw-Jennings Field.

While nearly half of his team has not played a college game yet, Mahler will not lower his expectations. The Bonnies will again focus on earning a spot in the six-team Atlantic 10 Tournament.

"Last year we were in the hunt right to the end, and there is no reason this team can't do the same thing," Mahler said. "Youth can be a wonderful ally. These young guys come from winning programs and expect to win."

Midfield / Forward
Senior Kevin Omokhua, a two-time All-Conference selection, and junior Phil Amahazion are two of the Bonnies' most prominent leaders. Omokhua, who scored two goals last season but was hampered by a rib injury, will make a transition from forward to center midfield. Amahazion will be counted upon for production in the center midfield.

"Kevin (Omokhua) is most effective facing the goal, running at defenders. He and Phil are a wonderful playing combination," Mahler said. "Bringing Kevin back into the midfield gives him the opportunity to be more involved. He'll have to be more of an organizer for our team. We do have more weapons, but in close matches, we'll turn to Kevin and Phil and they'll have to raise their level of play."

Wide in the midfield, sophomore Kenny Boutsabouabane and junior Jon Lopez are the returning starters. Senior Matt Swider, junior Josh Henderson and freshmen Magnus Leung, Stephen Bortolon, Phil Corbi and Joe Miller will push for time in the midfield.

A pair of newcomers and two veterans are the Bonnies' top forwards. Freshman Samuel Maheu and junior Nikola Vasilev, a transfer from Division III Thiel College, are the newcomers. Junior Jon Lopez and senior Matt Keating are both experienced, versatile players who could play up front as well as at other positions.

"Although we'll have a lot of young guys on the field, we'll be able to turn to the bench and bring in some guys with 50 to 60 games under their belt," Mahler said. "A real important part of the puzzle is Matt Keating. His natural position is forward and right now he's the trump card. Jon Lopez is a veteran who will be on the field somewhere. Samuel Maheu understands how to separate from defenders and he knows how to finish. Nikola is a proven scorer at a lower level and he understands the pace of the game here is quicker and the physical demands are far greater. These players will assist Kevin (Omokhua) and give us options."

Defense / Keeper
Junior Ken Lish is the only returning goalkeeper with match experience. Lish began last year as the starter only to suffer a broken finger three games into the schedule. Junior Ben Nida and freshman Massimo Collu-Marchese are pushing Lish for playing time.

"Ken has earned the right to be our No. 1 keeper, but the competitiveness between the three gives us a solid corps of keepers," Mahler said. "Ben Nida has improved tremendously, and Massimo comes in here with the idea that it was a wide-open race. But whoever shows the best in training will earn the job. Kenny has the nod right now based on experience and because he's trained very well."

Thanks to Mahler's recruiting efforts, the St. Bonaventure defense is a much deeper unit than a year ago. Several newcomers will look to earn playing time behind incumbent starters Nilton Brito, a senior, and Nick Lopez, a junior. Junior John Darrah suffered a season-ending knee injury last year and is working back into the rotation through pre-season camp. Freshmen Matt Culo and David DiNardo are both capable of earning starting jobs, Mahler said.

"We brought in competitive depth and more size in the back and I think we can match up defensively with different teams," Mahler evaluated. "You like defenders who enjoy the one-on-one challenges. We have options in case of injuries, and our starters have to come every day to train."