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Men's Soccer
Men's Soccer Poised To Repeat
Aug. 29, 2000 KINGSTON, R.I. - To state that that hopes are high for the 2000 Rhode Island men's soccer team is very predictable. Success is the norm at URI, where the Rams have won three of the last five Atlantic 10 Conference championships and made NCAA Tournament appearances in 1995, 1996 and 1999. This season, however, it's also a bit misleading. Nine starters return from last season's 25th-ranked squad that finished 17-4-1, including All-Americans Nicholas McCreath and Anthony Curtis, and Mark Bryant, one of the finest goalkeepers in the nation. Add an influx of gifted newcomers and the Rams are the favorites to defend their Atlantic 10 Championship and advance to their fourth NCAA Tournament in six years. "I think we'll be deeper than last year," head coach Ed Bradley said. "Everyone will be fighting for playing time which will make practice even more competitive than in the past." GOALKEEPER URI is in good hands with senior Mark Bryant in net. Bryant, a transfer from Mount Ida Junior College, is coming off a sensational 1999 season in which he earned second team All-Atlantic 10 and All-New England honors. The Bristol, England native ranked 13th in the nation with a 0.70 goals-against average and posted 13 shutouts. Bryant was especially stingy in Atlantic 10 play allowing just four goals in 11 starts for a miniscule 0.40 gaa. "Mark is one of the best goalies I've ever had," Bradley said. "He's great with his feet. Mark does such a great job of distributing the ball it's almost like having an extra field player. Our players have total confidence in Mark." Freshman Michael Charles, a red-shirt last season, worked hard during spring practice and has the inside track as Bryant's back-up. Senior Marc McManus and promising freshman Josef Bachmeier will also battle for time in net. BACKS The Rams are deep and experienced defensively. Senior co-captain Neil Lewis and sophomore Ross Smith, along with Bryant, return to anchor a unit that ranked second nationally in shutouts (13) and 12th in goals-against average (0.71). Lewis, a four-year starter at sweeper, is a tenacious defender who excels while roaming free in the URI end. Last season, Smith came back from an ankle injury to give URI a huge boost in its 7-0 win over Duquesne in the Atlantic 10 Championship. He is tremendous header and teams with Lewis to form one of the conference's toughest defensive duos. The coaching staff expects senior Sean Barrett to make an immediate impact. "At 6-5, Sean provides a dominating presence on the field," Bradley said. A transfer from Florida International where he started eight games in 1999, Barrett is a strong defender who will provide additional size, strength and power to a back line that yielded just 16 goals in 22 games last season. Aaron Anderson-Winchell, a red-shirt freshman, is a defensive tactician with some offensive skill. "We shouldn't lose too many head balls between Smith, Barrett and Anderson-Winchell, three players who are all over 6-0 tall. That was a problem last season." Junior Brett Albro, who Bradley describes as a "very good attacking wing back," is a potential starter at left back. "Brett is a defender with skills and passing accuracy of a midfielder and will be useful player his year," Bradley added. Freshman Paulo Lage is another player with aspirations of earning a starting spot. Red-shirt freshman Clark Miller will garner playing time in the backfield as will junior Josh Isaac, a transfer from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College, and freshmen Josh Lauerman and Steven Siligato, a Rhode Island schoolboy star at Bishop Hendricken High. MIDFIELDERS Bradley characterizes the midfield as "the strength of our team." Indeed, the Rams boast one of the nation's most talented midfields despite the losses of veterans Ryan Chmielewski and Raymie Marchak. Sophomore Anthony Curtis wracked up an impressive array of accolades in his freshman campaign, including third-team NSCAA/adidas all-American and first-team all-Atlantic 10 honors as well as the conference rookie-of-the-year award. "Anthony was the best freshman I've ever had," Bradley said of Curtis, who finished fifth on the squad with 23 points (6g, 11a). "He's the type of player that you build a team around. His ability to hold the ball to assist in getting strikers and midfielders involved makes everyone better. Anthony sprays the ball around and finds deep attacking passes." Sophomore Winston Griffiths, a member of the 1998 Jamaican World Cup team, joins Curtis at midfield. "There are not many players in college who can take over a game the way Winston can," Bradley said. Griffiths, who tallied 26 points (9g, 8a) last season, is a tremendous offensive talent with blazing speed on the dribble. Senior co-captain Steven DeMoura, a three-year starter and second-team all-conference choice last season, tallied seven game-winning goals among his 36 points, which was fifth in the conference. He's a clutch player whose versatility allowed him to fill in up front when Gareth Elliot was injured in 1999. Injuries limited junior Dennis Richards to nine games last season but Bradley expects big contributions from him in 2000. A skillful dribbler and passer with quick feet, Richards has a penchant for "making the game look easy," according to Bradley. "He is extremely smooth on the ball." Bradley also looks for senior Paul Fanning to emerge as a key player. "Paul's improved significantly," Bradley said. "He's very dependable and sees the field well." Junior Ahmad Manning will play the left flank. Manning, who possesses blazing speed and can get to the net, played a crucial role late in the season to help URI win the conference regular-season and tournament titles. Jesse Schulse is a small but feisty freshman who will battle for playing time. "Jesse is capable of getting the ball deep in the corners and providing great service to the strikers," Bradley said. "He's also the type of player with the dirtiest uniform at the end of a match which says a lot about his character." Freshman Cayne Holland, a local product from nearby Westerly, R.I., provides the Rams with a steady midfielder with an explosive left foot. Junior Kevin Simon, who can also play in the backfield, gained valuable experience as a practice player last season. Red-shirt freshman Brian Mastrofino, junior Kevin Kennedy, a transfer from St. Francis (Pa.), and freshman Sean Costello, will all challenge for minutes.
ATTACK URI's high-octane offense led the nation in scoring last season at 3.41 goals-per-game, expect more of the same in 2000. Junior Nicholas McCreath is one of the most prolific scorers in college soccer. McCreath, a third team all-American and first-team all-Atlantic 10 selection, ranked third nationally in points-per-game (2.64) and assists-per-game (0.73), and finished eighth in goals-per-game (0.95). The conference's scoring leader (58 points) set or tied five A-10 championship records in 1999, including most points (11) and goals (seven). "Nicholas is the quickest player there is at this level," Bradley said. "He is very adept at locating the goalkeeper and slotting his shot with great accuracy." Junior Gareth Elliot ranked third on the Rams with 30 points and 11 goals last season. At 6-foot-5, he is a valuable combination player that provides offensive firepower and contributes defensively by marking taller opponents and pressuring backs. "Gareth provides our strikers with balance," Bradley said. "He is a very tall player who plays off of McCreath very well. Gareth is deceptively quick and a talented dribbler of the ball." Senior Per Ole (Peos) Tenden transferred to URI from Charleston (W. Va.) where he was the top scorer in Division II with 87 points (34g, 19a). Tenden was a First Team NSCAA All-American at forward in 1999 but could also see time as an attacking midfielder. "Peos is an extremely powerful striker and a prolific finisher," said Bradley. Senior Peter Benevides, a medical red-shirt last season, is a talented, technical player who will be a key reserve this season. Bryan Cartwright, a hard-working sophomore who also sat out last season, provides versatility off the bench. Freshman Perek Bellah is a big, strong presence who will be counted on off the bench. SCHEDULE Bradley has never been complacent when it comes to challenging his team with rugged schedules, this year is no exception. "This is the toughest schedule we've had. Washington and Portland are top-10 programs. James Madison defeated [defending national champion] Indiana last season and George Mason is as well-coached as any team." URI kicks off the 2000 campaign on Labor Day Weekend. The Rams host Siena under the lights at the URI Soccer Complex (Sept. 1) and Providence (Sept. 3). URI heads south of the Mason-Dixon line for a tough weekend swing at George Mason (Sept. 8) and James Madison (Sept. 10). The Rams play non-conference matches with Hartford (Sept. 13) and at Maine (Sept. 16) before welcoming Brown (Sept. 20) to Kingston for a rematch of last season's classic NCAA first-round battle. URI plays five of its next seven matches on the road beginning with a trip to the West Coast to face Washington (Sept. 22) and Portland (Sept. 24). The Rams open the Atlantic 10 schedule at home against Duquesne (Sept. 29), who will be looking to avenge last season's stinging 7-0 loss to the Rams in the Atlantic 10 Championship, and a very good St. Bonaventure squad (Oct. 1) that emerged as the conference's surprise team in 1999. Then it's off to Temple (Oct. 6), St. Joseph's (Oct. 8) and George Washington (Oct. 13) before a three-match homestand featuring Massachusetts (Oct. 18), Xavier (Oct. 20) and Dayton (Oct. 22). URI closes out the regular-season at La Salle (Oct. 27) and at Fordham (Oct. 29). The Rams will defend their Atlantic 10 Championship at the URI Soccer Complex. The championship begins Friday, Nov. 3 and continues Sunday, Nov. 5. The Rams took full advantage of their home-field edge last season, posting a 9-0 record and yielding just two goals. While it will be tough to duplicate that performance, the URI Soccer Complex will be the place to be this fall. "It will be a good year to come watch us," Bradley said. It's a great atmosphere for fans and players. We'll be an exciting team and we have an excellent home schedule." WRAP-UP Tradition dictates that the Rams move forward. Bradley feels that his club will use the last season's disappointing 2-1 overtime loss to Brown in the first round of the NCAA Tournament as motivation. "This team has a common goal: to win the Atlantic 10 Championship at home and go further in the NCAA Tournament," Bradley said. "We have a nice mix some good young players and seven seniors who will bring the new players along. As long as everyone knows their role we'll be fine." Bradley said.
The return of All-Americans McCreath and Curtis ensures that URI will remain the premier offensive force in the college soccer. Veteran keeper Bryant spearheads what will be a tight-fisted defense. Defending their Atlantic 10 Championship at home, where the Rams were unbeaten a year ago, is an enormous advantage. There is plenty of reason to believe that URI will improve on a wildly successful 1999 season.
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 HEAD COACH: JOHN O'CONNOR
ASST. COACH: MITCH STONE
ASST. COACH ROB CZLONKA
VOLUNTEER COACH: BEN SMITH
ATHLETIC TRAINER: LAUREN GOLEY
STRENGTH COACH: LIZ PROCTOR
DIR. OF SOCCER OPS.: FRANK BERGRENACADEMIC ADVISOR: NICOLE POLOSKI
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