Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Men's Soccer Opens 2005 Campaign Friday at James Madison
9/1/2005 8:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
Sept. 1, 2005
LEWISBURG, Pa. - Last year the Bucknell men's soccer team failed to reach the 10-win plateau and finished under .500 for the first time since 2001 as it faced a daunting schedule of opponents that piled up a .557 winning percentage. With a talented group of veterans that includes senior goalkeeper Adam Edwards and senior forward Scott Visnic, each two-time members of the All-Patriot League teams, and a slightly easier schedule (.536 winning percentage in 2004), the Bison should reach double-figure victories for the third time in four years and the 12th time in the 76-year history of the program. They will also attempt to qualify for the Patriot League Tournament for the third consecutive year for the first time ever.
Picked fourth in the Patriot League Preseason Poll, Bucknell, which opens its 2005 season Friday night at James Madison, must make up for the loss of two-time Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year Michael Lookingland and six other seniors that were all key contributors to 37 wins the last four years, the third-best four-year total in program history. Seventh-year head coach Brendan Nash does not think that will be a problem.
"We had a successful spring that featured everybody filling his role and working as hard as possible," said Nash, the second-winningest coach in Bucknell history. "What we are going to lack in terms of skill, we will make up for with hard work."
Along with hard work, the obvious strength of the team will be the goalkeeper position. Edwards and sophomore Joey Kuterbach split time in goal last year and it looks like it will be a battle for playing time between the two again.
After his first two years it appeared Edwards, the PL Rookie of the Year in 2002, was set to rewrite every goalkeeping record in both the Bucknell and Patriot League record books. However, the Downingtown, Pa., native did not live up to his high standards last year. After recording 18 shutouts his first two seasons and registering a 0.85 goals against average, he did not tally a shutout last year and saw his goals against average rise to 1.62.
Kuterbach got a chance in goal mid-way through last season and allowed just nine goals in 10 appearances. He led the team with a 1.04 goals against average and .812 save percentage.
"Having to decide between Adam and Joey is a great problem to have," explained Nash. "Both can be the starting goalie and we are excited to see who wins the competition."
One of the areas Nash is not yet sure about is where the scoring will come from. Visnic, who ranks 10th on Bucknell's career goals and points lists and led the team with six goals in 2004, will be expected to lead the offense, but he is the only proven returning scorer since the graduating seniors took 11 of the team's 23 goals with them.
Sophomore Corey Curnutte should increase his offensive load. One of just three Bison to start every game last year, Curnutte tied for third on the squad with classmate Justin Wolf with three assists. He did not find the back of the net on his own, but should get more opportunity to score this year.
Senior Tim Faneck is another veteran who could help shoulder the offensive burden. The Shavertown, Pa., native, whose 51 career starts are the most on the team, has played in the backfield most of his career, but is expected to move to the central part of the field where he will get more touches.
Senior Eric Brunton, who Nash calls the undisputed leader of the team, will play all over the field and will provide offensive support. After scoring four goals each of his first two seasons, he added three more last year. He also has 10 career assists.
Junior Andrew Loia will anchor the inexperienced defense. The Baldwinsville, N.Y., native has started 33 games in his career, and contributed two goals from his defensive position last fall.
With just 13 returning letterwinners, and only 10 of them having played more than 10 games last season, the large group of 12 newcomers will be counted on heavily. Mark Schmiegel, Jason Soto, Alex Russo and Dirk Swaneveld will be pushing for starting spots in the midfield. Nash also thinks anybody who can play forward has a shot at minutes, including Anthony Ferraro and Daniel Ziznewski.
"We are going to be a lot deeper than in the past," predicted Nash. "We have a lot of freshmen who will play and anticipate making a lot of substitutions. In the past we have only played 12 or 13 players in a game, but this year we will consistently go 15 or 16 deep."
If the Bison are successful in their quest to reach the Patriot League Tournament again, fans will see a lot more 1-0 games than in the past.
"We are going to be good in goal and good defensively, so we are going to have to grind out victories," said Nash.
