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Mix of Young and Old Look to Return to Postseason
As the start of the 1999 season comes to form, University of Delaware men's soccer coach Marc Samonisky will be counting on a combination of youth and experience for a successful season. Samonisky's club returns 10 of its top 11 scorers from last season. However, it also must replace its four-year starting goalkeeper with the graduation of Joaquin Hurtado. "Joaquin was the most tactical player ever to come through our program," said Samonisky. "His ability to read the game and assess the opponents was unmatched. His play and leadership will be sorely missed. "We have a lot of players who scored last year back this season. But really, we didn't score a huge number of goals. This season, we have the players to make this happen." The Blue Hens will rely heavily on red-shirt freshman Mike Honeysett and sophomore David Hudson up front. Honeysett, Delaware's top recruit last year, red-shirted last season and makes his collegiate debut this year. Samonisky expects Honeysett to be able to step in as one of the team's top scorers right away. "I am looking forward to getting Mike on the field after a year's absence," said Samonisky. "He has all the skills of a forward; a great work rate, a nose for the goal, and a spirit that won't be satisfied without a lot of results (goals)." Hudson is a speedster up front, but could also see time in the midfield. He was the Hens' leading goal-scorer last season and was tied for the team lead in point with nine (4g, 1a). Last season, however, Hudson started only three of the 18 games he appeared in. This year, Hudson will likely be in the starting lineup. Also expected to be in the rotation at forward are senior Dennis O'Connell, freshman Seth Duhl and sophomore Mike Bunting. O'Connell had seven points last season (3g, 1a) and led the team in shots on goal with 39. Duhl is a confident player who earned all-county honors the last two seasons at Long Beach High School (NY) last season. Bunting was part-time starter last season and will look to continue his contribution for the Blue Hens this season. He recorded five points last year (1g, 3a). In the midfield, Delaware will look to the combination of Mat Dunbar, Dan Keane, Mike Wentz and Rob MacLeod. Dunbar is hoping to have his first healthy season. The junior from Hockessin, DE missed the last six games with an ankle injury last year after starting the first 12. He also missed several games his freshman season with a back injury. Keane started 17 of 18 games last year and was tied for the team scoring lead with nine points (3g, 3a) along with MacLeod (3g, 3a), who was one of four players who started all 18 games last season. Wentz is this season's top recruit. Out of Katy, TX, Wentz has a vicious shot and is an aggressive, hard-working player who will step into the starting line-up immediately. He recorded 19 goals and 16 assists in his three seasons at Midland and Taylor High Schools. "Wentz is a hard working midfielder with an outstanding shot," said Samonisky. "I am looking for Mike to contribute right away and to grow into an excellent player." Also looking to enter into the regular midfield rotation will be junior Jermey Groff and freshman Nick Kreider. Groff will be looking to return to the form of his freshman season after missing most of his sophomore year with a severe ankle sprain. The Blue Hens will count on Todd Everett, Kyle Shilcock-Elliott, Brooks Buckingham and Brian Shepanski to sure up the backfield. Everett moved to the backfield from his midfield slot this season. A tri-captain this year, Everett started all 18 games last season and was tied for the team lead with nine points (3g, 3a) from his midfield position. "He has great field vision and we think he will be able to put that to better use in the backfield," said Samonisky. Shilcock-Elliott takes on two challenges: being a tri-captain as a sophomore and being possibly the most important person in Delaware's success on defense. Not only did the Wayne, PA native start every game as a freshman, he played every minute of the Hens' 18 games last year. In addition, he will also be one of the biggest players on the field at 210 lbs. Buckingham sat out last season after playing sparingly as a freshman. He is a knowledgeable player who could develop into a leader on defense. Shepanski appeared in nine games last season, starting five of them, and will look to carry that experience into this season. Also expected to be in the backfield rotation are juniors Mike Krepps and Bryan Dick and freshman Jeremy Doucette. Doucette is a composed defender who may crack the starting lineup before the year is finished. Krepps was a leader on defense last season and will be expected to continue that role again this year. Dick started the last four games last season and will look to carry that momentum into this year. The goalkeeper position is an interesting one this season. "It'll be goalkeeper by committee," said Samonisky. "Whoever is playing well at that time will be in net." The job will start with senior tri-captain David Owens. Owens has waited for a starting chance behind four-year starter Hurtado. After playing in just three games in his first three seasons, Owens is chomping at the chance to prove what he can do. However, at the same time, he has young talent on his heels. Junior Nick Konawalik and freshman Alex McGroarty are both looking to show what they can do, too. Konawalik is a transfer from NAIA-member Houghton College (NY), where he was a two-year starter. In high school at Pleasant Valley (PA), he set single-season and career records for shutouts. McGroarty comes from a quality program at Quaker Valley HS where he was a part of two state championship teams and also was part of team that was voted No. 1 in the country by USA Today. He was a two-time all-section selection and also earned All-Western Pennsylvania as a senior. "The conference, as usual, is very competitive from top to bottom," said Samonisky. "For me, Boston University is the team to beat. They have outstanding talent plus my pre-season pick for Player of the Year in Sigurd Dalen. Drexel return the majority of their team that won the conference tournament last year, so it will be right there. Hofstra has really been building the last few years and even though Towson lost their top scorer and last year's player of the year, they are always tough." |
