August 21, 2006
Shepherd University has claimed seven of nine first place votes and is the favorite to claim a second straight West Virginia Conference men's soccer title. Wheeling Jesuit and Salem International each grabbed one first place tally each to finish second and third in the voting among league head coaches.
Alderson-Broaddus was fourth, while Davis & Elkins held down the fifth spot. West Virginia Wesleyan, Charleston, and Ohio Valley completed the poll.
WVIAC newcomers Pitt Johnstown and Seton Hill are not eligible for this season's championship. However, players from both schools are eligible for weekly and season individual awards.
Shepherd (17-2-2, 5-2 WVIAC) must replace six starters from the school's best ever squad. The Rams ended 2005 ranked #13 nationally, but narrowly missed a spot in the NCAA postseason after they were stunned by Salem International on penalty kicks in the WVIAC Tournament semifinals.
Midfielder Guilherme Fonseca, who led the conference with 20 assists last year, will help lead the Ram attack. SU also returns forward Emmanuel Elomobor, a 10-goal scorer in 2005. However, Joseph Okoh's club will have to find replacements for WVIAC Player of the Year Richard Smith and nearly the entire backline as defenders Jamie Ritchie and Ian Newman depart. SU also has to fill shoes of graduated goalkeeper Pat Quinn.
Wheeling Jesuit (12-9-1, 4-3 WVIAC) has reached the championship match of the past three WVIAC Tournaments. The Cards will field a young squad, yet expectations are high in the Northern Panhandle. Matt Porta (F, Sr.), Kerdyn Moe (M, Jr.), Scott Sinick (M, Jr.), and Lyndell Pompey (D, Soph.) are among the returnees for WJU. The Cardinals also add a pair of Division I transfers as head coach Jim Regan's sons Brandon and Kyle come home after starting their collegiate careers at Robert Morris.
Salem International (9-8-0, 4-3 WVIAC) capped off an up-and-down season with a WVIAC Tournament championship. The Tigers survived overtime on their way to all three postseason victories during the improbable run. First team All-WVIAC selections Marvin Huber (F, Sr.) and Jeremy Wood (D, Soph.) lead Florin Marton's club in 2006.
Alderson-Broaddus (10-10, 4-3 WVIAC) leaped from seventh place in the league standings in 2004 to a tie for second last year. The Battlers will rely on returning second team all-league honorees David Harvey (GK, Soph.), Sean Ryan (D, Jr.), Zech Smith (M, Sr.), and Eric Belcher (F, Soph.).
Davis & Elkins (6-10-3, 3-3-1) hopes to be in the thick of the WVIAC race behind senior midfielders Donnie MacGregor and Jose Mario Cantillo. Juniors Makesi Bostic (D), Michael Knox (F), and Cole Johnson (M) are among the other keys for coach Mark Stollsteimer's Senators.
West Virginia Wesleyan (5-11-3, 2-2-3 WVIAC) looks to return to the Bobcats' traditional spot near the top of the league standings. Gavin Donaldson's crew welcomes back seven starters, including standout defender Bond Phittayasri. Joseph Burkland (D, Sr.), Brandon Chagnard (M, Soph.), and Adam DeClerico (M, Sr.) will be key contributors for WVWC.
Charleston (5-12-1, 3-3-1) suffered a down season in 2005, but Marty Martinez's Golden Eagles return 16 of 19 lettermen. Junior Brent Wilson has been solid in goal for UC. Seniors James Williams (M), Brian Emrick (M), and Ben Sanger (D) seek to help the Golden Eagles avoid a second straight disappointing finish. Forwards Gary Taylor (Jr.) and Callum Jenkins (F) need to fill the scoring void left by departed seniors Chad Duernberger and Mark Broyles.
Ohio Valley (4-14-1, 0-6-1) is looking for a breakout season in WVIAC play. 10 starters are back for Dan Lyons' Fighting Scots, including first team All-WVIAC midfielder Marwan Helal. Helal led OVU with 10 goals and 5 assists in 2005. Defender Sam Habib (Soph.) and goalkeeper Bill Bloom (Jr.) anchor the defense.
Seton Hill (10-7-2) has made major progress in building a winning tradition after only four years of the fledgling program. Head coach Dan McCarthy's Griffins should be tough in the defensive half with defenders Eric McKeever (Sr.), Daryl Ferguson (Sr.), and Adam Galando (Jr.). Keeper Sam Dukes (Sr.) posted a 1.29 goals against average with six shutouts in 2005. Junior forward Gerry Boyle is the leading returning scorer after tallying six goals last year.
Pitt Johnstown (4-13-1) has 13 of 17 letterwinners back from last year's squad. Forward Jay Swope posted an impressive seven goals as a rookie last season. Eric Kinsey's Mountain Cats also have a solid midfield tandem in James Penn (Sr.) and Ben Sera (Soph.). Junior Chris Hawkins adds scoring punch from the forward slot.
WVIAC men's soccer kicks off on Thursday when Charleston hosts Carson-Newman (TN) and Alderson-Broaddus travels to California (PA).
2006 WVIAC Men's Soccer Coaches' Poll:
1. Shepherd (7) 69
2. Wheeling Jesuit (1) 57
3. Salem International (1) 54
4. Alderson-Broaddus 46
5. Davis & Elkins 30
6. West Virginia Wesleyan 28
7. Charleston 25
8. Ohio Valley 12
Note: Seton Hill and Pitt Johnstown are not eligible for the 2006 WVIAC men's soccer championship.
