FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (August 25, 2008) - In 2007, the Nova Southeastern men's soccer team featured 17 newcomers and 15 freshmen. With that fact in mind, the squad had a successful season, ranking as high as second in the nation in Division II and only falling in penalty kicks to perennial power Lynn University in the Sunshine State Conference tournament semifinals.
Losing just one starter from a year ago, the 2008 version of the men's soccer team is poised to make a run at a SSC championship. Returning to the pitch is SSC Player of the Year Romain Onteniente, along with All-South Region performers Aly Hassan and Craig Heenighan. Onteniente and Hassan formed the most dynamic duo of forwards in the SSC. Hassan recently made an appearance for the United State U-20 National Team in an exhibition against Guatemala while Heenighan, the Sharks' captain for the second straight year, continues to bring his leadership and two-way ability to the NSU midfield.
There are no secrets. The talent, confidence, hunger and focus are abundant for the NSU men's soccer team entering the 2008 season.
Forwards
Returning for the Sharks at forward will be defending Sunshine State Conference Player of the Year Romain Onteniente (Jr., Nice, France) who finished 2007 with 18 goals and 42 points. Also returning is sophomore Aly Hassan (Weston, Fla.), who burst on the scene a year ago with 11 goals and earned first team All-SSC honors. Collectively, the two forwards earned SSC Offensive Player of the Week honors five times in 2007. Also returning at forward are Brian Cardozo (So., Davie, Fla.), Nicholas Freitas (So., Pompano Beach, Fla.), and Edouard Mason (Sr., Saint Raphael, France). Newcomers Sergio DeFeudis (Jr., Milan, Italy) and David Wahlberg (Jr., Skanor, Sweden) will look to make an immediate impact.
Midfielders
All-South Region performer Craig Hennigan (So., Widnes, England) will anchor the midfield for the Sharks in 2008. A returning captain, Hennigan is a two-way central midfielder who scored two goals and tallied five assists a year ago. Veterans Vadim Shapiro (Sr.,Carmel, Ind.), Rich Bodek (Sr., Colonia, N.J.), Nate Dunbar (Southbury, Conn.) and Terrence Condor (Jr., Basseterre, St. Kitts) will provide a veteran presence while sophomores Iker Ibanez (Weston, Fla.), Juan Gonzalez (Oakland Park, Fla.), Chris Sarabia (Miami, Fla.), and Tucker Cumpstone (Killingworth, Conn.) look to cash in on their playing experience as freshman from a year ago.
Defenders/Goalkeeper
A group of experienced sophomores and senior Christian Benitez (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) will play the back line for NSU in 2008. Benitez, who was featured as a central defender, enjoyed his strongest campaign in 2007 as a centerpiece for the Sharks back line. Sophomores Tim Taylor (Farmington Hills, Mich.), Darryl Gordon (Miami, Fla.), and Chris Pruitt (Canton, Mich.) form a solid defensive core. Newcomers Sean Lindsey (So., Fayetteville, N.Y.) and Juan Rivera (Fr., Miami, Fla.) will compete for playing time.
The biggest question is in goal as NSU will look to a new goalkeeper. Juan Vizcarrando (Weston, Fla.), Travis Frazier (West End, N.C.), Jonathan Dominguez (Cliffside Park, N.J.) and Caleb Loud (Boca Raton, Fla.) are all in competition for the starting job.
The Schedule
The Sharks will start the season with a two game swing through Georgia. NSU will open at Clayton State on Thursday, August 28th in Marrow, GA at 7 pm. The team will then travel to Americus, GA to square off against Georgia Southwestern at 3 pm on Saturday, August 30th.
NSU will return to the newly relocated NSU Soccer Complex for its home opener on Friday, September 5th at 5 pm vs. Warner Southern as part of the NSU Invitational, a round robin tournament that features SSC opponent Barry University, Lake Erie College and Warner Southern.
Nova Southeastern will open their 2008 SSC schedule at the University of Tampa on Wednesday, September 24th at 7 pm.
NSU will conclude the regular season in their SSC finale at Saint Leo University at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, October 29th.
