ROCHESTER, NY -- The RIT men's soccer team looks to make a push for a postseason berth in 2016. With a good group of talented veterans and a strong group of newcomers, Head coach Bill Garno, now in his 21st season, is looking to guide the Tigers back to the Liberty League Tournament.
 
RIT returns a corps of veterans that Coach Garno will rely on to guide and mentor the younger players this season. Among the veterans returning is captain senior Scott Fishel (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna). A 2015 second-team All-Liberty League selection, Fishel tallied a pair of goals last season, while anchoring a defense that allowed 1.06 goals per game.
  
Up front, sophomore Gene Sicoli (Commack, NY/Commack) returns after a fine freshman campaign. Sicoli, a 2015 second-team All-Liberty League selection, led the Tigers in points (22), goals (9) and assists (4). Junior Akram Meza (Troy, NY/Troy) returns for 2016 after tallying two goals last season. Sophomore Anthony DeFeo (Rochester, NY /Hilton) returns after a fine freshman season. Look for contributions from sophomore Connor Gill (East Northport, NY/Commack), Ryan McMaster (Orchard Park, NY/Orchard Park), Tyler Hatch (Concord, NH/Tilton School) along with newcomers Matt Gill (East Northport, NY/Commach), Chike Udenze (Lagos, Nigeria) and David Koffi, who will add depth and talent to the forward spot.

In the midfield, Sophomores Adam Bem (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius) and Ohan Fillibach return from last year's team. Senior Dean Kouroupas (Ridgefield, CT/Ridgefield) moves to midfield in 2016 after playing up top his first three seasons. Look for newcomers Nate Verso (Souderton, PA/Souderton Area) and Simon Garno (Hilton, NY/Hilton), Ahmed Alrefaei (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia/Al-Alhli), Nick Laurini (Rochester, NY/Aquinas Institute), Dante DeSisti (Reston, VA/South Lakes), Will Schiesswohl (Sussex, NJ/Vernon Township) and Zayn Dhalla (Friendswood, TX/Friendswood) to potentially see significant time in 2016.
 
In goal, sophomore Peter Cinibulk (Bellbrook, OH/Bellbrook) returns after posting a 6-6 record in 2015 with a 1.01 goals against average and a .792 save percentage. Chris Dill (East Setauket, NY/Ward Melville) and Patrick O'Mara (Queensbury, NY/Queensbury) provide depth to the goalkeeping position.
 
RIT will play eight Liberty League contests, and nine non-conference games. The Tigers will play eight home games, and face three teams who competed on the 2015 NCAA Division III Tournament in SUNY Morrisville, Rensselaer and St. Lawrence.

RIT opens the 2016 season hosting the 13th Annual Doug May Memorial Tournament on Sept. 2-3. The Tigers begin the tournament versus Buffalo State University on Sept. 2., and will face fellow SUNYAC foe, SUNY Morrisville the following day.

The following weekend, RIT will compete at the Potsdam College Cup hosted by SUNY Potsdam. The Tigers will face King's College on September 10, and either SUNY Potsdam or Mount St. Mary on Sept. 11.

On Sept. 17, RIT will face cross-town rival the University of Rochester for Hillside Community Shield. It will be the fifth time the shield has been contested, and the first time on the campus of Rochester.

RIT will host former Empire 8 rival Nazareth College on Sept. 20, and SUNY Geneseo on Oct. 5.

RIT opens play in the highly competitive Liberty League Conference on Sept. 24 when the Tigers travel to Clarkson University. RIT will welcome Rensselaer, Skidmore, St. Lawrence and Hobart to Tigers Stadium.

RIT closes out the regular season on Oct. 29 when they host Hobart College. The Liberty League Tournament semifinals take place on Nov. 2 with the championship to be played on Nov. 5 at the highest remaining seed.