RIVERDALE, N.Y.- A new season means a fresh start, and for the Manhattan College men's soccer program, 2010 provides a chance to build a foundation for future successes. Under the tutelage of first-year head coach Ashley Hammond, the Jaspers look to take their first step forward Wednesday night at 7 p.m., with the season opener vs. Farleigh Dickinson University at Gaelic Park.
With more than 20-years of coaching experience and a winning resume at the high school and club level, Coach Hammond has transformed program after program into proven contender around the tri-state area. Along with assistant coach Jorden Scott, the fiery leader is a fountain of optimism when it comes to the upcoming season and the future of soccer in Riverdale.
"Looking at the lofty level on the RPI (power rankings) of a number of our MAAC opponents we know that we have our work cut out for us," Hammond said. "But, the players are very excited coming off a good spring season and we will be returning to our fabled Gaelic Park field with a renewed spirit and solid organization as we head into the fall 2010 season."
"Combined with some terrific recruits and a wonderful returning veteran core, we are confident that we will have a good season," Hammond noted.
Harkening back to what he saw this past summer in the World Cup, Hammond said his team "will be looking to blend the skill of the South American teams with the die-hard attitude of our big brothers on Team USA."
The Jaspers will have a blend of returners and newcomers heading into the fall season, with 11 lettermen returning and 10 new players joining the squad.
Topping the list of returners is senior captain Joshua Renner, who has been a standout at both center back and right back during his first three years in Riverdale. Helping to quell any opposing team attack in the middle the past two seasons, junior vice captain Christopher Holihan's "lead by example" mentality at center midfield could have him primed for a breakout campaign in year three. Former MAAC All-Rookie Team selections, expectations are high for both players to take the next step and garner all-league accolades come season's end.
Offensively, returners Matt Gormley, a senior, and Deia Nassar, a junior, will be looked to for scoring punch, while senior Sean Russell, senior Jake Ostrov and junior Anthony Florez will provide firepower in the midfield.
In between the pipes, senior Joseph Lorenz, sophomore Chris Todd and freshman Christopher Lands will battle for a starting position.
Other returners who will vie for playing time will be sophomore midfielder Jose Armas, and sophomore defender Isaiah Millington.
Excited to mix the current roster with the future of Manhattan soccer, Hammond is banking on a bevy of recruits and other new-to-the-roster players to mesh quickly and help move the Jaspers up in the MAAC standings.
Expected to contribute right away up front is Texan Sam Howard. As a senior, he was named to the All-District Second Team after guiding his high school team to the 2010 Regional Semifinals. Howard helped Cinco Ranch earn three consecutive District Championships (2008, 2009, 2010), and the Cougars also advanced to the State Semifinals (2008) during his tenure. Howard played club soccer for the USSF Texas Rush Academy.
In the midfield, twin brothers Derek and Jake Donowick will be counted on to provide tenacity and creativity. Both were four year starters at West Morris Central High School in New Jersey. Derek is a pure midfielder who served as his high school team's team captain and was named the team's Most Valuable Player at the conclusion of his senior campaign. Jake played both the center midfield and forward positions at West Morris where he was also an All-Iron Hill Conference and All-New Jersey honoree. Derek and Jake both played club soccer for the TSF Academy (U14-U18) helping the team win the State Cup in 2008 & 2009, while advancing to the Super Y League National Finals both of those years.
A true offensive threat in the middle or up top, Canadian Daniel Festa, has the coaches talking about All-MAAC consideration for years to come. Festa played three years of club soccer with the prestigious Winstars Soccer Academy under the guidance of top coach Bobby Graham. He served as a senior academy captain and played eight years within the North York Dynamo Futbal Club.
Hopes are also high on the attacking side for Floridian Carlo Giachino. A four-year letterwinner at Gulliver Prep School, Giachino was named All-Dade County as a senior. He was also a six year starter within the Kendall Soccer Club and he played two years within the U.S. Soccer Development Academy for Miami FC Kendall (U17/18).
Looking to compete in the goal with the two letterman, Lorenz and Todd, is Christopher Lands. Lands played under legendary head coach Rick Jacobs at national power St. Benedict's Prep (NJ) and as a senior posted 11 shutouts to help lead St. Benedict's to a 17-2 record and its 21st successive New Jersey Prep A Championship. Lands was named to the 2009 New Jersey All-Prep Second Team and he played club soccer with the New Jersey Blaze.
Other newcomers looking to help during their first year in Riverdale are: Erick Montinard and Stefano Carlacci. Montinard, comes to Riverdale from Bishop Eustace Prep where he lettered four years playing both midfield and defense. Carlacci, a defender from Westlake High School in Thornwood, N.Y. was a four year letterwinner and All-Section I selection.
After sitting on the sidelines last season, sophomore C.J. Dragovich from South Side H.S., adds fresh legs to the backline in his first action with the green and white.
The Fall 2010 Schedule
The Jaspers warm up in the preseason with three exhibition matches in August. Manhattan gets started on August 18 against Southern Vermont College in Pittsfield, Mass., and then will visit the University of Albany (August 21), before returning home to host NJIT (August 26).
Manhattan's home opener is slated against Farleigh Dickinson University on September 1 under the lights at Gaelic Park. The Jaspers then head off for a seven game road series, which starts on September 7 in Storrs, Conn. versus Connecticut at 7 p.m. On September 12, Manhattan travels back up to New England, this time going to Smithfield, R.I. to play against Bryant University of the Northeast Conference.
Manhattan makes its way to DeLand, Fla. in mid-September where it will partake in a tournament held at Stetson University. The Jaspers open with Jacksonville University on September 17 at 7 p.m., and will then play the host school on September 19 at 12 p.m.
Coming back to the Bronx, but heading across town, the Jaspers will then take on local rival Fordham University on October 2.
The Jaspers start MAAC action on October 8 in Baltimore when they visit Loyola University for a 7 p.m. match. On its way back up Route 95 Manhattan will make a stop in Lawrenceville, N.J. to battle Rider University on October 10.
Manhattan returns home the following weekend, hosting Canisius College on October 15 at 4 p.m. - the first game of a men's and women's doubleheader. The Jaspers complete the homestand on October 17 against Niagara University at 10 a.m.
On the road again, Manhattan travels north to Loudonville, N.Y. to battle against Siena College in a 3 p.m. match on October 22. The Jaspers then visit Poughkeepsie, N.Y. on October 24 to play against the Red Foxes of Marist.
In their final home weekend of the season, the Jaspers will host Fairfield University at 7 p.m. on October 29 at Gaelic Park. Manhattan's final contest in Riverdale is scheduled for October 31 against local conference rival Iona College at 10 a.m.
Two days later, on November 2, the Jaspers take a brief break from conference play, travelling to West Point to take on Army in a 7 p.m. match. Manhattan concludes the MAAC regular season on November 6 when it heads across the river for a showdown with Saint Peter's.
The top four teams in the conference will qualify for the 2010 MAAC Championships (November 12 & 14) held on the Loyola University campus. The league champion will receive an automatic bid to the 2010 NCAA Men's Soccer Tournament.
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