Men's Soccer | 9/2/2010 11:27:56 AM

ROCHESTER, NY - The RIT men's soccer team enters the 2010 season with a strong mix of experienced returners and of talented newcomers. RIT has plenty of depth at all positions and is primed to make a run in an extremely competitive Empire 8 conference.

The Tigers return eight starters from last season's team that was in contention for the Empire 8 title until the final day of the regular season. In addition, the Tigers return a handful of key veterans that missed all of last season. RIT, who moves to the Liberty League in 2011, would like to win the Empire 8 Tournament and qualify to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.

“We would like to end our stay in the Empire 8 with a conference championship,” said Head Coach Bill Garno, now entering his 15th season. “We won the first Empire 8 Championship (2000), and would like to win it in our last season. We have a tough road ahead, but it is an achievable goal.”

Despite having 22 freshmen and sophomores on the roster, Garno believes this is the deepest team he has had in several years.

“Our depth this year is much improved and will help us tremendously,” said Garno. “We are still very young, and have to stay healthy, but having much more depth should help us as the season progresses.”

Senior captains Jake Yates (Waynesburg, PA/Waynesburg) and Bret Dietz (Harrisburg, PA/Bishop McDevitt) will lead the Tigers on and off the field this season. Yates, who missed all of last season, due to injury, will help anchor the defense, while Dietz, a three-year captain, and two-time Co-SIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-Region selection, will patrol the midfield.

“It's great to have Jake back after an unfortunate injury last year,” said Garno. “He's a quiet leader, and is playing at as high a level as he ever has this preseason. He will be key in our defensive success. Bret is the hardest working player on the team and leads by example. He's a physical and emotional leader who has great finishing abilities. Both guys are great examples for our younger guys to follow.”

Up front, the Tigers welcome back junior Dan Holowaty (Strongsville, OH/St. Ignatius), who missed all of last season. He was RIT's leading scorer in 2007 and 2008, and has 12 goals and 31 career points. Junior Todd Gaulocher (Old Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) is back after scoring a pair of goals last season and should see plenty of action, along with sophomores Julian Moiwai (Durham, NC/Durham School of the Arts) and Jon Rosebrook (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs), and freshmen Sean Sullivan (Malvern, PA/Great Valley) and Cody Winchell.

“We have much more depth up front this season,” said Garno. “Dan Holowaty (Strongsville, OH/St. Ignatius) is a dynamic attacking player and will be counted on to carry a good portion of the scoring load as he has in the past. Todd Gaulocher (Old Greenwich, CT/Greenwich) is in excellent shape, has gained tactical maturity, and is one of our stronger players. Key is we added significant depth. Julian Moiwai (Durham, NC/Durham School of the Arts) has looked real strong physically and athletically. The key will be how this group learns to play collectively, but the depth provides motivation and we can show a varied offensive attack.”

At midfield, Dietz and senior Dom Colaprete (Spencerport, NY/Spencerport) will lead the way. Dietz, a two-time All-Empire 8 selection, is one of the top players in the conference, and will be a force both offensively, and defensively. Colaprete led the team in scoring with seven goals last season, including four-game winning tallies. Senior Allen Nicholson (Lewisburg, PA/Lewisburg Area), along with junior John Zito (Rochester, NY/East Rochester), and sophomores Justin Dambra (Hopewell Junction, NY/John Jay), and Matt Broedel (Hamilton, NY/Hamilton) should all see plenty of action, contributing on both sides of the field.

“Bret is a the leader of the squad and will have a major role in winning loose balls and is usually matched up against our opponents top playmaker'” said Garno. “Dom is a great playmaker, and is fitter than he was last year. I am excited to see what their poise and maturity brings to the team.”

In the back, Yates will lead a young, but talented group. Sophomore Sean Coots (Binghamton, NY/Johnson City), who started all 17 games last season will be counted on to continue his strong play. Junior Kyle Grimaldi (Gloucester, MA/Gloucester) and sophomore Ryan Giust (Chesterland, OH/Hawken School), who both missed all of 2009 due to injuries are back, along with talented sophomores Mike Allocco (Ballston Lake, NY/Burnt Hills) and John Kaddo (Troy, NY/Averill Park). Senior Mekan Hellenov (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan/Olimp Sport), along with freshmen Andy Fleckenstein (Farmington, NY/Victor) and Jimmy Forbes (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) will also see plenty of action this season.

“Defensively, we're a year older,” said Garno. “Jake Yates (Waynesburg, PA/Waynesburg) will be counted on to lead the back four. Sean Coots (Binghamton, NY/Johnson City) has been as good as anybody for us in the preseason. He is a very intelligent player. Freshmen Andy Fleckenstein (Farmington, NY/Victor) is a strong, athletic player, who shows pretty good poise, and Jimmy Forbes (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) is very versatile, strong on the ball, tough physically, and not afraid to join the attack.”

Sean Conway (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park) and Ben Frazier (Westminster, MD/Westminster) lead a talented group of goalkeepers. Conway, who missed last season due to injury, and Frazier, who went 6-4 in 11 games, will battle for the starting spot. Freshmen Eric Cohen (Doylestown, PA/Central Bucks South) and Jon Moore (Hamden, CT/Hamden) will bring added depth.

RIT plays one of the most arduous non-conference schedules in the region before heading into Empire 8 play. RIT opens the season at home against SUNY Oswego, then hosts the Doug May Memorial Tournament with a first round game against conference rival Ithaca. The tournament is named for Doug May, the all-time leader in coaching wins at RIT. During his 16-year career at RIT, May produced a 196-56-24 record with 11 NCAA Appearances.

The Tigers travel to the Skidmore Tournament and trek up to future Liberty League foes St. Lawrence and Clarkson before returning home to face SUNYAC power Cortland. RIT opens Empire 8 play at Elmira before returning home to face Rochester, who enters the season as the No. 6 team in the NSCAA national poll. The Tigers play six of their final seven games against Empire 8 foes, including home games against No. 15 Stevens (2010 NCAA Quarterfinalist), Utica, and Alfred. The Tigers end the season with consecutive road games at Ithaca and Nazareth, which will more than likely determine playoff positioning in the conference.

“We always try to make sure we're tested early, and this season, that's no exception,” said Garno. SUNY Oswego was a SUNYAC Tournament team, and Ithaca was a preseason favorite in the Empire 8. St. John Fisher (on Oct. 8) will be a crucial game for us, as we reach the midpoint of our Empire 8 schedule. We will honor our seniors before our final home game against Alfred (Oct. 16), then play two very tough final two games at Ithaca and Nazareth to end the regular season. We need our team to be focused right away and stay sharp all season. We play in a tough conference and can't look past any opponents.”