[Kutztown Fall Roundup] Men's Soccer: Golden Bears Hope to Climb PSAC Ladder in 2005

[Josh Leiboff]

Golden Bears Hope to Climb PSAC Ladder in 2005

        The Kutztown University Golden Bear men's soccer team will feature a balanced roster of experienced veterans and talented newcomers in 2005.  With seven starters and 13 letterwinners back, the Golden Bears hope to make a run for a post-season playoff berth under eighth-year head coach Otto Ormosi.

        Kutztown finished the 2004 campaign with a 9-9-2 overall record, including a 3-5 mark in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.

        The unquestioned strength of the team will be the defense, with starters returning at goalkeeper and three of the four defensive positions.

        Senior Jason Sherman is back for his third year starting in goal for the Golden Bears.  Sherman netted a 1.74 goals-against average with 68 saves in almost 1,500 minutes last season.  Sherman is the school's career record holder in shutouts with 10.

        Sophomore Ryan Kratz also returns.  Kratz averaged 2.14 goals against in 379 minutes last fall.

        Sophomore Collin Dalton and junior Steve Gorski return as starters and will be joined by converted forward Brian Walter in the backfield this fall.  Dalton and Gorski combined to start 39 games a year ago.  Walter, a senior, was second on the team in points with 16 and led the squad with eight assists in 2004.  He switched to defense in the spring and strengthened the already veteran unit.  

        The other starting defender slot is up for grabs.  Sophomore Luke Ott and newcomer Rick Zimmerer (Franklin, NJ/Wallkill Valley), a transfer from Sussex County Community College, are the front runners.  Also returning at back is sophomore Christian dos Santos.

        Senior first-team All-PSAC selection Marc Benson will anchor the midfield.  Benson led the team with six goals and 17 total points.    Fellow senior Alan Hallman returns to the offensive end of the midfield, pending recovery from an off-season injury.  He tallied two goals and six assists in 2004.  Rounding out the returning starters in the midfield is junior Jim D'Angelo, who had three goals and an assists last season.

        The defensive midfield position should be manned by sophomore Chris Capone, who saw action in 14 games last season.

        An off-season injury may hamper Matt Kade in securing a full-time starting job in the midfield.  Kade tallied a goal and two assists in 19 games, including seven starts, as a rookie.  

        Three newcomers are expected to fight for starting midfielder positions.  Jesse Novatski (Clarks Summit/Abington Heights), Jacob Ottinger (Schnecksville/Parkland) and Bryce Slattery (Williamsport/Williamsport) should see ample time in the middle.

        Other newcomers in the midfield hoping to make an impact include Bill Frosoni (North Plainfield, NJ/North Plainfield) and Charlie Kulp (State College/State College).  

        Playing at the forward striker position is expected to be Greg Sassaman, who sat out last year.  Newcomer Carl Gompf (Milford, NJ/Delaware Valley) also looks to contribute.

        An always grueling schedule will be much more difficult this season, with double the number of conference games.  The PSAC added a second game against each league opponent in 2005.  The top four teams qualify for the PSAC Playoffs.

        The men's soccer team will be the first Golden Bear team to open its season in 2005, with a contest vs. New York Tech on August 26 at the Shippensburg Classic.  The PSAC schedule opens soon after, with the Golden Bears hosting East Stroudsburg on August 31 in the home opener at Keystone Field.

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Josh Leiboff
Kutztown University Sports Information
Phone: (610) 683-4182
Fax: (610) 683-4676
Email: leiboff at kutztown.edu
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