2009 Wildcat Men's Soccer Outlook
8/11/2009 3:50:16 PM | Men's Soccer
The 2009 Davidson Men's Soccer Wildcats will look to seven experienced seniors, talented underclassmen, strong work ethic, and a disciplined organization to add to the program's rich tradition.
Davidson returns nine starters and 19 letter winners, and brings back 83 percent of their scoring from a year ago.
“It's important that we establish a confident attitude and a cohesive, organized structure this year,” said head coach Matt Spear.
“If each player remains personally optimistic, focused and team-centered for the whole season, we'll be successful.”
“There will be some very good competition for this position,” said Spear. “Robby's experience and leadership, combined with two hungry and talented upperclassmen will push all three throughout the season.”
All three made appearances in the net last fall, with Goldsberry starting 13 of the 15 matches he played, and ranked second in the SoCon and 53rd nationally with a team-high 67 saves.
McElroy was in net for seven matches, recording 17 saves and picking up the shut out against eventual SoCon Tournament Champion UNC Greensboro. Sanders made his first career start in grand fashion, stopping eight shots for the win over Presbyterian.
“Our defenders all have game experience, which is a valuable asset to have along the back line," Spear commented. "With three seniors to provide leadership and urgency, our defense should be a strong point for the team this season.”
Senior Tim Roark, who was voted the 2008 Team MVP and started all 19 matches on the year, is joined by classmates Liam Bracken and Christian Hambleton, sophomores Dennis Shannon and Hunter Hayes and others to provide experience for the defense.
Hayes was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team last year after making 11 starts in 13 matches and helped anchor the back line.
Caskey led Davidson in points, assists, shots-on-goal, SOG percentage and minutes last season. He ranked eighth in the conference in assists and was one of five Wildcat players to start all 19 matches.
“Alex is a legitimate conference Player of the Year candidate this year,” Spear said.
Other upperclassmen contributing are Peter Shelton, Josh Zipin and Greg Macnamara, who earned SoCon All-Freshman team honors last year. Greg could also emerge as an important defender too."
The Wildcats add three midfielder freshmen who could make an immediate impact, including George Ramsay at left midfielder.
Seniors Machel Turner and Charlie Reiter, who combined for 63 shots last season, will join sophomore Mark Millard and junior Yannick Pilgrim, who led the squad in goals and ranked second in points last season.
“Yannick and Mark successfully established a good partnership on the front line this spring,” said Spear. “A healthy Machel will make an impact, and Charlie can help spark our attacking flow and effectiveness.”
Freshman Andrew DiLallo could also see action up front during his rookie campaign.
The 'Cats will kick off the regular season with a home match against USC Upstate, followed by a pair of contests in the Davidson adidas Classic, taking on UNC Asheville and Coastal Carolina.
“I like how our schedule lays out,” Spear said. “Beginning with three straight home matches will give us a good chance to get off to a positive start and gain momentum.”
Some of the non-conference highlights include trips to 2007 National Semifinalist Virginia Tech as well as 2007 National Champion and 2008 National Semifinalist Wake Forest, plus a pair of home tilts against Duke and South Carolina.
“We love to step up and test ourselves against great non-conference competition,” Spear commented. “Hosting Duke and South Carolina, and visits to Wake Forest and Virginia Tech are perfect examples of our ambition as a program.”
An always-tough SoCon slate is kicked off with a home match against College of Charleston on Sept. 30 with a trip to Georgia Southern four days later. The Wildcats also travel to SoCon Tournament Champion UNC Greensboro and Regular Season Champion Elon.
Senior Day will be on Oct. 24 when Wofford visits Alumni Stadium for the final home match of the regular season.
Following their regular-season finale at Campbell, the 'Cats will hope to be preparing for the upcoming SoCon Tournament.
In a new change by the SoCon, only the top-four teams based on regular season standings will advance to the conference tournament, which will be hosted by the No. 1 seed.
The tournament semifinals will take place on Nov. 13, with the final to be played on Nov. 15.
Davidson returns nine starters and 19 letter winners, and brings back 83 percent of their scoring from a year ago.
“It's important that we establish a confident attitude and a cohesive, organized structure this year,” said head coach Matt Spear.
“If each player remains personally optimistic, focused and team-centered for the whole season, we'll be successful.”
GoalkeepingComing into the season, the 'Cats are in the enviable position of having a trio of skilled and experienced goalkeepers on the roster. Senior Robby Goldsberry, junior Matt McElroy and sophomore Chip Sanders will all compete for the starting nod in goal.
“There will be some very good competition for this position,” said Spear. “Robby's experience and leadership, combined with two hungry and talented upperclassmen will push all three throughout the season.”
All three made appearances in the net last fall, with Goldsberry starting 13 of the 15 matches he played, and ranked second in the SoCon and 53rd nationally with a team-high 67 saves.
McElroy was in net for seven matches, recording 17 saves and picking up the shut out against eventual SoCon Tournament Champion UNC Greensboro. Sanders made his first career start in grand fashion, stopping eight shots for the win over Presbyterian.
DefenseHelping protect the goal this year will be a group of players who all started at least one match last year, and will look to turn that first-rate exposure into success this season.
“Our defenders all have game experience, which is a valuable asset to have along the back line," Spear commented. "With three seniors to provide leadership and urgency, our defense should be a strong point for the team this season.”
Senior Tim Roark, who was voted the 2008 Team MVP and started all 19 matches on the year, is joined by classmates Liam Bracken and Christian Hambleton, sophomores Dennis Shannon and Hunter Hayes and others to provide experience for the defense.
Hayes was named to the SoCon All-Freshman Team last year after making 11 starts in 13 matches and helped anchor the back line.
MidfieldLed by 2008 first team All-SoCon honoree Alex Caskey, the midfielders will combine a mix of returners and new faces into the lineup this season.
Caskey led Davidson in points, assists, shots-on-goal, SOG percentage and minutes last season. He ranked eighth in the conference in assists and was one of five Wildcat players to start all 19 matches.
“Alex is a legitimate conference Player of the Year candidate this year,” Spear said.
Other upperclassmen contributing are Peter Shelton, Josh Zipin and Greg Macnamara, who earned SoCon All-Freshman team honors last year. Greg could also emerge as an important defender too."
The Wildcats add three midfielder freshmen who could make an immediate impact, including George Ramsay at left midfielder.
AttackThe bulk of the scoring attack will be handled by a strong group of players who combine experience and skill to help lead the offense for the Wildcats.
Seniors Machel Turner and Charlie Reiter, who combined for 63 shots last season, will join sophomore Mark Millard and junior Yannick Pilgrim, who led the squad in goals and ranked second in points last season.
“Yannick and Mark successfully established a good partnership on the front line this spring,” said Spear. “A healthy Machel will make an impact, and Charlie can help spark our attacking flow and effectiveness.”
Freshman Andrew DiLallo could also see action up front during his rookie campaign.
The ScheduleThe team faces another challenging schedule, highlighted by three matches against NCAA Tournament participants from a year ago, hosting the Davidson adidas Classic and a full Southern Conference slate, the team faces another challenging schedule.
The 'Cats will kick off the regular season with a home match against USC Upstate, followed by a pair of contests in the Davidson adidas Classic, taking on UNC Asheville and Coastal Carolina.
“I like how our schedule lays out,” Spear said. “Beginning with three straight home matches will give us a good chance to get off to a positive start and gain momentum.”
Some of the non-conference highlights include trips to 2007 National Semifinalist Virginia Tech as well as 2007 National Champion and 2008 National Semifinalist Wake Forest, plus a pair of home tilts against Duke and South Carolina.
“We love to step up and test ourselves against great non-conference competition,” Spear commented. “Hosting Duke and South Carolina, and visits to Wake Forest and Virginia Tech are perfect examples of our ambition as a program.”
An always-tough SoCon slate is kicked off with a home match against College of Charleston on Sept. 30 with a trip to Georgia Southern four days later. The Wildcats also travel to SoCon Tournament Champion UNC Greensboro and Regular Season Champion Elon.
Senior Day will be on Oct. 24 when Wofford visits Alumni Stadium for the final home match of the regular season.
Following their regular-season finale at Campbell, the 'Cats will hope to be preparing for the upcoming SoCon Tournament.
In a new change by the SoCon, only the top-four teams based on regular season standings will advance to the conference tournament, which will be hosted by the No. 1 seed.
The tournament semifinals will take place on Nov. 13, with the final to be played on Nov. 15.
FY26 Men's Soccer Preseason Virtual Meeting
Friday, August 15
FY25 Men's Soccer Davidson United Conversation
Wednesday, June 04
2024 Davidson Men's Soccer Highlights
Tuesday, May 13
Davidson Men’s Soccer – March 2023 Virtual Alumni Gathering
Tuesday, March 14
