Senior tri-captains Peter Paras (L), Brian McGue (C) and Andrew DiLallo (R)
Davidson Men's Soccer 2012 Season Preview
8/25/2012 2:56:00 PM | Men's Soccer
DAVIDSON, N.C. – The Davidson men's soccer team will challenge the top teams in the nation and look to rise to the top of the competitive Southern Conference during the 2012 season.
“We have another really exciting schedule with four teams from the ACC, the perennially ranked No. 1 soccer conference in the nation,” said head coach Matt Spear, who will enter his 12th season at the helm of the Wildcats. “Those matchups are particularly exciting. They mean a lot to the team and alumni, but we don't want to downplay the significance of conference play. The Southern Conference regular season games are massive because they can pave the way to an NCAA bid through a tournament championship.”
Davidson will be led by reigning All-SoCon first-team selection Brian McGue, a senior midfielder who will be serving as team captain for a second season, and fellow senior captains Andrew DiLallo and Peter Paras.
“We're really excited about this group led by three positive, empowering people as team captains,” said Spear. “They bring great ability on the field, but they do a lot behind the scenes to motivate other players, keep us in line, and continue to establish the ambition and culture we want off the field.”
Their leadership will be crucial as Davidson retools its backline that earned a program record nine shutouts in 2011. Seven seniors, six of whom saw significant time in defensive rolls last season, graduated – including goalkeeper Chip Sanders and All-SoCon defender Greg Macnamara.
With significant experience gained during the spring season and talented newcomers joining the team, the Wildcats are primed for a successful season.
“We've proven we can knock off anyone in the country on a given day, but we also know we are equally vulnerable on the other side,” said Spear. “You have to be real prepared, really cohesive, and a bit lucky. Anything can happen on a given night, and that is one of the great things about the sport of soccer and NCAA soccer in particular.
“We're going to attack with 11 guys and defend with 11 guys. Everyone has a critical piece on both offense and defense. We really believe our chemistry and camaraderie are winning edges.”
Goalkeepers
From the three keepers on the pitch to the goalkeeper coach, the Wildcats have completely fresh faces. None of the three new keepers have played in an official intercollegiate game.
“It's a whole new crew, but we're exited about these three young men,” said Spear. “They all bring different qualities in background and ability.”
Leading the group will be Wake Forest transfer Matt Pacifici, who did not see any action in his lone season with the Demon Deacons due to injury. In high school, he was an ESPN RISE First Team All-American.
“I'm confident Matt can step into the college game quickly, and establish himself as an impact player for us,” said Spear.
Freshman Andrew Kenneson also enjoyed a decorated high school. Coach Spear noted his natural shot blocking talent and feels that he will quickly adjust to the speed of play and physicality of Division I soccer. Junior Daniel Peek joined the squad in the spring and gained important, valuable experience in training and match play.
Coaching the trio will be Eric Reed, a goalkeeper and team captain for the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO League.
“Eric will be a tremendous mentor to them,” said Spear. “He's still playing at his peak professionally, and he's a sincere, kind and fun person to work with.”
Defenders
Despite losing key senior starters, the Wildcats will not be as inexperienced as one would think amongst the back four. Juniors Coleman O'Neill and Ryan Malden are not complete strangers to the starting lineup and both saw action in half of Davidson's shutouts last season.
“It will be a lot of new faces in terms of starters, but they've done a great deal to learn from our past success last year,” said Spear. “Nine shutouts was a program record, and we want to continue and get better with our defending. The returning players gained a lot of experience this past spring.”
John Pace and Luke Blades and the rest of the sophomore class will all look to take significant roles on the backline. Pace drew 13 starts as a freshman and appeared in 17 games, while Blades will see his first action after injury sidelined him for the entire 2011 season.
Midfielders
Senior Brian McGue will lead Davidson's central midfield and with fellow classmate and captain Peter Paras also being a crucial component. McGue led Davidson last season in scoring with career-best totals of three goals and four assists, and also earned first-team All-SoCon honors.
“Brian McGue is a leader and warrior,” said Spear. “He's a game-changer on both sides of the ball and extremely fit and focused on leading this team.”
Paras is a playmaker who appeared in 17 games last season with three assists.
“Peter is primed to ignite attacking plays for us with his crossing and shooting, and in our set pieces,” said Spear.
Juniors Nick Grube and Alex Givens will also be anchors at the central midfield position. Givens drew 17 starts last season while Grube drew 11. Junior Jake Keator, who scored the game-winning goal, against eventual national champion North Carolina, led the team in scoring during the spring and will be a key contributor. NC State transfer Alan Reiter, the younger brother of 2009 Southern Conference Player of the Year Charlie Reiter '10, will also look to be an impact player.
Forwards
Senior tri-captain Andrew DiLallo and junior Chris Pettiglio will look to lead Davidson's scoring attack. The two developed chemistry up front during the spring season, and will look to carry their success to the fall.
“They play off each other well, they're different kind of players,” said Spear. “Andrew is a big, strong, tall, target, while Chris is more of a speedy, aggressive player. I'm certain we're going to have contributions from our four younger forwards as well.”
Pettiglio was second on the team in scoring last season with three goals and an assist, including an overtime game-winner over Elon. DiLallo scored a goal in 14 appearances last season.
Sophomore Gabe Rivera is the only other forward on the roster with experience after appearing in 19 games last season with 11 starts and scoring two goals. Sophomore Alex Feliciano missed the entire 2011 season with an injury, and the 'Cats welcome two freshmen.
Coaching
Spear's assistants will be all new this season. Tony Falvino joined the program over the summer, while Reed will primarily work with the goalkeepers.
“Tony and I have connected very effectively and the guys have fed off of him in an enthusiastic way too,” said Spear. “As he continues to establish his roles in the program, I'm certain we're going to be a better program because of it.”
Schedule
Davidson will face five NCAA tournament teams from last season, including defending champion North Carolina.
This season will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 NCAA Final Four College Cup and Southern Conference Championship team.
The Wildcats will continue their annual series with ACC opponents Wake Forest and Duke, hosting the Demon Deacons Oct. 2 at Alumni Stadium and traveling to Durham to face the Blue Devils on Oct. 23. Davidson will also play North Carolina for the second consecutive season, but will travel to Chapel Hill this year after earning a 1-0 victory over the second-ranked Tar Heels at Alumni Stadium in 2011. All three opponents made the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Davidson will open the regular season at home Monday, Aug. 27 against another ACC squad, Clemson. The 'Cats will then hit the road to compete in Ohio State's Wolstein Classic to face Wright State (Aug. 31) and Ohio State (Sept. 2). The Buckeyes have appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times since 2000 and were NCAA finalists in 2007.
The conference season opens for the 'Cats when defending SoCon regular season champion UNCG visits Alumni Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
Georgia Southern will conclude the 'Cats home slate on Oct. 6. Members of the 1992 College Cup team will return for the homecoming weekend Georgia Southern match and will be honored on the field at halftime. The current team's seniors and tri-captains, McGue, Paras and Andrew DiLallo, will also be honored prior to the match.
“We have another really exciting schedule with four teams from the ACC, the perennially ranked No. 1 soccer conference in the nation,” said head coach Matt Spear, who will enter his 12th season at the helm of the Wildcats. “Those matchups are particularly exciting. They mean a lot to the team and alumni, but we don't want to downplay the significance of conference play. The Southern Conference regular season games are massive because they can pave the way to an NCAA bid through a tournament championship.”
Davidson will be led by reigning All-SoCon first-team selection Brian McGue, a senior midfielder who will be serving as team captain for a second season, and fellow senior captains Andrew DiLallo and Peter Paras.
“We're really excited about this group led by three positive, empowering people as team captains,” said Spear. “They bring great ability on the field, but they do a lot behind the scenes to motivate other players, keep us in line, and continue to establish the ambition and culture we want off the field.”
Their leadership will be crucial as Davidson retools its backline that earned a program record nine shutouts in 2011. Seven seniors, six of whom saw significant time in defensive rolls last season, graduated – including goalkeeper Chip Sanders and All-SoCon defender Greg Macnamara.
With significant experience gained during the spring season and talented newcomers joining the team, the Wildcats are primed for a successful season.
“We've proven we can knock off anyone in the country on a given day, but we also know we are equally vulnerable on the other side,” said Spear. “You have to be real prepared, really cohesive, and a bit lucky. Anything can happen on a given night, and that is one of the great things about the sport of soccer and NCAA soccer in particular.
“We're going to attack with 11 guys and defend with 11 guys. Everyone has a critical piece on both offense and defense. We really believe our chemistry and camaraderie are winning edges.”
Goalkeepers
From the three keepers on the pitch to the goalkeeper coach, the Wildcats have completely fresh faces. None of the three new keepers have played in an official intercollegiate game.
“It's a whole new crew, but we're exited about these three young men,” said Spear. “They all bring different qualities in background and ability.”
Leading the group will be Wake Forest transfer Matt Pacifici, who did not see any action in his lone season with the Demon Deacons due to injury. In high school, he was an ESPN RISE First Team All-American.
“I'm confident Matt can step into the college game quickly, and establish himself as an impact player for us,” said Spear.
Freshman Andrew Kenneson also enjoyed a decorated high school. Coach Spear noted his natural shot blocking talent and feels that he will quickly adjust to the speed of play and physicality of Division I soccer. Junior Daniel Peek joined the squad in the spring and gained important, valuable experience in training and match play.
Coaching the trio will be Eric Reed, a goalkeeper and team captain for the Charlotte Eagles of the USL PRO League.
“Eric will be a tremendous mentor to them,” said Spear. “He's still playing at his peak professionally, and he's a sincere, kind and fun person to work with.”
Defenders
Despite losing key senior starters, the Wildcats will not be as inexperienced as one would think amongst the back four. Juniors Coleman O'Neill and Ryan Malden are not complete strangers to the starting lineup and both saw action in half of Davidson's shutouts last season.
“It will be a lot of new faces in terms of starters, but they've done a great deal to learn from our past success last year,” said Spear. “Nine shutouts was a program record, and we want to continue and get better with our defending. The returning players gained a lot of experience this past spring.”
John Pace and Luke Blades and the rest of the sophomore class will all look to take significant roles on the backline. Pace drew 13 starts as a freshman and appeared in 17 games, while Blades will see his first action after injury sidelined him for the entire 2011 season.
Midfielders
Senior Brian McGue will lead Davidson's central midfield and with fellow classmate and captain Peter Paras also being a crucial component. McGue led Davidson last season in scoring with career-best totals of three goals and four assists, and also earned first-team All-SoCon honors.
“Brian McGue is a leader and warrior,” said Spear. “He's a game-changer on both sides of the ball and extremely fit and focused on leading this team.”
Paras is a playmaker who appeared in 17 games last season with three assists.
“Peter is primed to ignite attacking plays for us with his crossing and shooting, and in our set pieces,” said Spear.
Juniors Nick Grube and Alex Givens will also be anchors at the central midfield position. Givens drew 17 starts last season while Grube drew 11. Junior Jake Keator, who scored the game-winning goal, against eventual national champion North Carolina, led the team in scoring during the spring and will be a key contributor. NC State transfer Alan Reiter, the younger brother of 2009 Southern Conference Player of the Year Charlie Reiter '10, will also look to be an impact player.
Forwards
Senior tri-captain Andrew DiLallo and junior Chris Pettiglio will look to lead Davidson's scoring attack. The two developed chemistry up front during the spring season, and will look to carry their success to the fall.
“They play off each other well, they're different kind of players,” said Spear. “Andrew is a big, strong, tall, target, while Chris is more of a speedy, aggressive player. I'm certain we're going to have contributions from our four younger forwards as well.”
Pettiglio was second on the team in scoring last season with three goals and an assist, including an overtime game-winner over Elon. DiLallo scored a goal in 14 appearances last season.
Sophomore Gabe Rivera is the only other forward on the roster with experience after appearing in 19 games last season with 11 starts and scoring two goals. Sophomore Alex Feliciano missed the entire 2011 season with an injury, and the 'Cats welcome two freshmen.
Coaching
Spear's assistants will be all new this season. Tony Falvino joined the program over the summer, while Reed will primarily work with the goalkeepers.
“Tony and I have connected very effectively and the guys have fed off of him in an enthusiastic way too,” said Spear. “As he continues to establish his roles in the program, I'm certain we're going to be a better program because of it.”
Schedule
Davidson will face five NCAA tournament teams from last season, including defending champion North Carolina.
This season will mark the 20th anniversary of the 1992 NCAA Final Four College Cup and Southern Conference Championship team.
The Wildcats will continue their annual series with ACC opponents Wake Forest and Duke, hosting the Demon Deacons Oct. 2 at Alumni Stadium and traveling to Durham to face the Blue Devils on Oct. 23. Davidson will also play North Carolina for the second consecutive season, but will travel to Chapel Hill this year after earning a 1-0 victory over the second-ranked Tar Heels at Alumni Stadium in 2011. All three opponents made the 2011 NCAA Tournament.
Davidson will open the regular season at home Monday, Aug. 27 against another ACC squad, Clemson. The 'Cats will then hit the road to compete in Ohio State's Wolstein Classic to face Wright State (Aug. 31) and Ohio State (Sept. 2). The Buckeyes have appeared in the NCAA tournament eight times since 2000 and were NCAA finalists in 2007.
The conference season opens for the 'Cats when defending SoCon regular season champion UNCG visits Alumni Stadium on Tuesday, Sept. 25.
Georgia Southern will conclude the 'Cats home slate on Oct. 6. Members of the 1992 College Cup team will return for the homecoming weekend Georgia Southern match and will be honored on the field at halftime. The current team's seniors and tri-captains, McGue, Paras and Andrew DiLallo, will also be honored prior to the match.
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