Bucknell University Athletics
Men?s Soccer Kicks Off Preseason Training
8/11/2016 7:12:00 PM | Men's Soccer
LEWISBURG, Pa. – The Bucknell men's soccer team returned to West Fields on Thursday to begin preseason training, and head coach Brendan Nash was excited to get going with a squad that will have a new look in 2016. The Bison graduated five key players from a season ago, including standout forwards Chris Thorsheim and Jesse Klug, but there is still plenty of talent in the program as the season gets underway.
“We're very excited about the challenge that's put in front of us,” says Nash, who enters his 18th season as men's soccer head coach. “We know we graduated quite a few talented players and some depth in that senior class that played a lot in their four years. Bringing in new players and showing them the Bucknell way will be exciting.”
The Bison inject an abundance of youth into the 2016 roster with 10 incoming freshmen, who will need to battle for playing time this upcoming season.
“We told every freshman that the expectation is for you to earn your playing time,” says Nash. “Some guys are going to challenge for playing time, but we'll see if they're up for it.”
Bucknell returns several starters from a year ago, including defenders Peter Krebs, Zack Rockmore and midfielder Sebastiaan Blickman, who will all, serve as tri-captains for the 2016 campaign.
In addition to Rockmore and Blickman, the Bison return seven of the team's top-10 scorers from a season ago, including Andrew Leischner and Justin Galiani, who finished third on the team in assists in 2015.
Bucknell will host Manhattan on Aug. 21 for a preseason scrimmage, and will open the regular season at Emmitt Field on Aug. 26 against Delaware. The season opener will broadcast on the Patriot League Network.
