Soccer Preview 2007

UML graduated three of the best players ever to brandish the River Hawk – Christian Figueroa, Andrew Doherty and Michael Cafeteiro – and who helped elevate the program to new heights.

Perhaps the most unsung player was Figueroa, now a UML assistant, who was a four-time NE-10 all-star midfielder highly regarded by opposing coaches.

Doherty went in the books as the No. 3 scorer in program history; and Cafeteiro helped set a plethora of defensive records.

The River Hawks had one of their best years defensively in 2006 – nine shutouts and just 16 goals allowed. Head Coach Ted Priestly, however, would like to see a few more goals this season.

"Last year we proved that we wre extremely difficult to beat, but we didn't do enough to win some of those games, and we ended up tying some games that we shouod have won," he said.

Despite having 16 freshmen and sophomores, the 2007 River Hawks are playing like a veteran unit.

"We started six or seven freshmen throughout the season," he noted. "That year's worth of experience should really help us turn those ties and losses into wins this season."

Defensively In Tact

The River Hawks remain well-manned in the back as four starters, led by sophomore goalkeeper Ryan Richards, are back.

Richards matched former standout Bobby Ritter's single season shutout record (nine) and was very close to the single season goals against average mark (0.81) with a 0.85 clip.

Also noteworthy is the fact that Richards thwarted two penalty kicks in the regular season as well as one in UML's first scrimmage game against the University of New Hampshire.

Backing up Richards will be sophomores Michael Ferrari and Carlos Antunes, both of whom sat out 2006 but enjoyed solid high school careers.

Ferrari was a four-year player at Melrose H.S. and a Middlesex League all-star as a senior while Antunes is a former standout at Brockton H.S.

Richards will be well-supported by sophomore defenders Rudy Kocandrle and Mike Clem, as well as junior Tim Bengston.

At 6-foot-4, Kocandrle will give UML a sizeable target on set pieces while the speedy Clem was often able get forward.

Bengston, who assisted on four goals last season, will again be a creator on the left side. Sophomore Corey Samuelson looks to get more minutes after seven apearances last year.

Priestly can also tab freshmen Evan Spann (Acton, MA), Derek Bambery (Stoneham, MA) and Matt Orsini (Dudley, MA), each fresh off stellar high school careers.

Spann was a league all-star at Acton-Boxborough H.S., where he helped the Colonials to the state championship last year. Bambery was a two-time all-state standout at Stoneham H.S., enjoying a pair of state championships.

Orsini was a conference all-star at Shepherd Hill Regional H.S.

Veteran Midfield

Even with several newcomers, it is still safe to say the UML midfield is a veteran unit. Junior Matias Pietropinto, the 2005 NE-10 Freshman of the Year, and All-NE-10 senior Edens Chery could emerge two of the better attacking midfielders in the conference and may also see minutes up front.

Pietropinto and Chery combined for four goals and five assists and will aim for more of the same.

UML will also be bolstered by sophomores Jhony Valencia and Guillermo Cisneros. Valencia, who should provide plenty of opportunities on the left, was limited to nine matches last year due to an injury but often showed brilliance.

Cisneros saw action in 11 matches and could emerge a starter this season.

Senior Matt Dubois (Dracut, MA) and junior Jose Esteves (Fall River, MA), both transfers, are expected to have an immediate impact. Dubois was two-year player at rival Merrimack College, where he scored.