Men's Soccer | 8/31/2015 1:01:00 PM

ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's soccer team looks to make a push for a postseason berth in 2015. With a good group of talent returning and to a strong group of newcomers, Head coach Bill Garno, now in his 20th season, is looking to guide the Tigers back to the Liberty League Tournament.

"The main focus this year is to turn around the level of competiveness," said Garno. "If we can keep guys healthy and stay focused and disciplined with our preparation, we will be well-positioned to compete this season. The veterans had a good spring and came in this preseason hungry. With the talented crop of newcomers, we are focused on working hard and improving every day of the season."
 
RIT returns a corps of veterans that Garno will rely on to guide and mentor the younger players this season. Among the veterans returning are captains Geno Rocco (Apalachin, NY/Vestal), Rueben Marquez (Williamson, NY/Williamson), Luke Dorsey (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia) and Scott Fishel (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) who will lead this young Tigers in 2015. 
 
"The captains are all good character guys, and all are hard workers," said Garno. "They are quality players on and off the field that our younger players can model themselves after. They have set a good standard with our younger players in training, with how hard they play and train."
 
Up front, sophomore Dean Kouroupas (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) returns after a solid first year in a Tiger uniform. Kouroupas finished tied for the team led in scoring in 2014 with nine points on three goals and three assists. Fellow second-years, Akram Meza (Troy, NY/Troy) and Dakota Kegler (Pavilion, NY/Pavilion) could see time up front. Meza has looked very good in preseason after an early-season injury prematurely ended his rookie season in 2014.

Look for first year players Anthony DeFeo (Rochester, NY /Hilton), Ryan McMaster (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park)s, and Tyler Hatch (Concord, NH/Tilton School) to add depth, talent and speed to the attack.

"We have some options up front," said Garno. "There's some depth and talent at forward which will help us increase our offensive output. The newcomers we brought in are fit and have worked hard in training so far. We expect they will give us more diversity and scoring punch up front that will be positive."
 
In the midfield, seniors Rocco, Dorsey, Marquez and Jonny Price (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker) will anchor a talented group. Rocco finished tied for the team lead in scoring last season, with nine points on four goals and an assist. He will be on one flank, while Price will patrol the opposite flank. Price played in nine games last season despite injury, and will provide depth, experience and speed outside.
 
"(Geno) Rocco and (Jonny) Price provide speed, toughness and experience out on the flanks," said Garno. "They are both very good attacking players for us."
 
Marquez provides experience, creativity and scoring punch in the center of the RIT midfield. Last season, he tallied seven points on two goals and an assist. Garno thinks Marquez will have a strong final season at RIT.

Dorsey is a workhorse who provides strength and consistency in the midfield. Hampered by injuries last season, Dorsey will play a larger role in 2015.

"As expected, Luke came in strong and fit and will provide strength in the center of the midfield," said Garno "(Rueben) Marquez adds experience, speed, elusiveness and a scoring threat from the midfield."
 
Along with veteran Brent Chase (Columbia, MD/Atholton), newcomers Raul Silva (San Diego, CA/Madison), Mike DiCola (Flanders, NJ/Mount Olive), Gene Sicoli (Commack, NY/Commack), Ohan Fillbach (Calais, VT/U-32) and Connor Gill (East Northport, NY/Commack) provide depth in the midfield.

"The depth we have in the midfield, it gives us a lot of options that will help us this season," said Garno.

Junior captain Scott Fishel (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) will anchor the Tigers defense in 2015. Fishel has led the team in minutes played in since joining the squad in 2013.
 
"(Scott) Fishel had a very good last year," said Garno. "He and Tristan Scott (Cinnaminson, NJ/Cinnaminson) are two keys to our defense. Tristan reads the game well, makes good decisions and is an important ball-winner for us."
 
Veterans Matt Miles (Baldwinsville, NY/C.W. Baker), Sean Heinze (Shrewsbury, MA/Shrewsbury), Mike Reverdato, and Scott Geyer (Douglassville, PA/Daniel Boone) are all vying for playing time along the back for the Tigers, along with newcomers Connor Ross (Baldwinsville, NY/Baldwinsville), Adam Bem (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius), Cam Shipley (Rochester, NY/Churchville-Chili), David Mraz (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), and Marcus D'Aguiar (Tonanwanda, NY/St. Joseph's Institute).

"We have some veterans back there with l experience," said Garno. "The newcomers will provide quality depth in the back as well."
 
In goal, senior Mark Reeves (Macedon, NY/Palmyra-Macedon) returns for a fourth season, serving as the starter the last two years. Last season, Reeves played in 13 games, making 43 saves. Newcomers Chris Dill (East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) and Peter Cinibulk (Bellbrook, OH/Bellbrook) will battle Reeves for the top spot in net. Coach Garno thinks healthy competition at practice makes all three better.
 
"(Mark) Reeves is a tough competitor and has gained important experience the last two years," said Garno. "He is now more vocal and active in the back. (Peter) Cinibulk and (Chris) Dill are not too far behind Mark. Both have shown in preseason that they are ready. It's going to be a healthy, competitive spot this year."
    
The Tigers kick off their 2015 season on Sept. 1 when they host Rowan University at Tiger Stadium. On Sept. 5-6, RIT will host the Doug May Memorial Tournament. This season the Tigers welcome 2014 NCAA Tournament participant, King's College (Pa.) and Buffalo State. In all, the Tigers play four teams that participated in the 2014 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Tournament, including Rochester, St. Lawrence and SUNY Cortland.  

For the third season, RIT will compete against cross-town rival Rochester in the Hillside Community Shield. This year's game will take place on Saturday, Sept. 19 at Tiger Stadium with proceeds going to help The Hillside Center of Rochester.


As in years past, the Liberty League ranks as one of the strongest conferences in all of Division III. Conference play begins on Saturday, Sept. 26 when the Tigers play at perennial power and defending Liberty League Champion, St. Lawrence University. RIT opens conference play with three straight road games, culminating with a road contests at Skidmore on Oct. 2 and Rensselaer on Oct 3.

"This Liberty League is one of the premiere conferences in Division III," said Garno. "We know that if we can compete with the teams in our conference, we can compete against anyone in the country."

After a non-conference road game versus SUNY Geneseo on Oct. 7, the Tigers return home to face Clarkson (Oct. 10), Bard (Oct. 16), Vassar College (Oct. 17), and Union (Oct. 24). RIT will host Ithaca on Wednesday, Oct. 28, before closing out the regular season at Hobart.

"We had a strong, competitive spirit this preseason," said Garno. "The level of competition in training and the way we have begun to come together as a team has been positive. But, we have a lot of work to do. We must stay focused on consistent effort and getting better every day at playing collectively. If we can do that and stay healthy, we should look forward to a more competitive season."