August 30, 2005

Junior Brad Weinberg

GENEVA, N.Y. — The Hobart soccer team looks ahead to the 2006 season after recently returning from a two-week tour of Sweden. The Statesmen return 17 players, including nine starters, from last fall’s lineup that posted a 7-8-2 overall record and 3-4-0 Liberty League mark under Head Coach Shawn Griffin. Joined by eight newcomers and first-year assistant coach Ryan Brooks, the Statesmen hope to build upon last season’s efforts.

The Statesmen played five matches in Sweden against quality opponents, but the trip was more than just a chance to play against top-level teams. Griffin saw the travel opportunity as a great chance to enjoy an educational and cultural experience while building team unity for the upcoming season.

Hobart graduated four seniors from last year’s squad. Forwards Micke Subotowicz, John Rosenbaum, and Chris Rogers, and defender Matt Dow-Allen, will be missed.

Subotowicz led the offense for the Statesmen last fall, totaling a team-high eight goals, seven assists and 23 points. The All-Liberty League first-team and National Soccer Coaches Association of America second-team selection closed out his career with 31 goals, 30 assists and 92 points. Rosenbaum contributed three goals while Rogers tallied a goal and an assist last season.

Junior Brad Weinberg (Marcellus/Marcellus, N.Y.) and sophomores Dan Riso (Red Hook/Red Hook, N.Y.) and Philipp Schoeniger (Erlangen/Erlangen, Germany) return to the fold and are expected to lead a deep and versatile offense, with scoring threats scattered throughout the team. Midfielder Weinberg played in all 17 games, started 16, tallied three points (1 goal, 1 assist), and was awarded All-Liberty League honorable mention for his solid play last season. Riso is a speedy forward with excellent technical skills and an ability to score. Last year he played in 13 games, starting nine. Schoeniger returns to the midfield after seeing action in 16 games and netting two goals for the Statesmen in 2005.

The Statesmen also welcome back several players who saw significant time on the pitch last season, and will be big contributors this year. Senior forward Tucker Crockett (Episcopal Academy/Rosemont, Pa.) returns along with classmate Ben Crosky (Mountain Greylock Regional/Williamstown, Mass.), and junior Tyler Webster (Acton-Boxboro/Acton, Mass.), who both return to the midfield. Webster and Crosky each totaled seven points (3 goals, 1 assist) last fall, while Crockett tallied two goals and two assists for Hobart. All three are expected to step up on offense to fill the hole that Subotowicz left.

Griffin looks to veteran senior captain Jamie Smith (Cheshire/Cheshire, Conn.), along with sophomores Matt Schwartz (Lower Merion/Wynnewood, Pa.) and Keenan Simons (Cardinal Mooney/Bradenton, Fla.) to anchor the defense. A strong defender, Smith started all 17 games last season, and will continue to be an impact player for the Statesmen. Schwartz is an athletic defender who played in 14 games last year, while Simons saw time in seven games. Both will aid Smith on defense again this fall.

Sophomores Phil DaCosta (Manchester Memorial/Manchester, N.H.), and Pete Van Dellon (Webster Thomas/Webster, N.Y.) will battle it out for the starting role of goalkeeper. Both goalies are extremely talented. Their great competitiveness and skill will solidify a tough defense, as well as challenge each other to improve. An All-Liberty League second-team selection last season, DaCosta saw the majority of time between the pipes, starting 13 games. He stopped 67 shots to record a save percentage of .827 and a record of 5-6-1. Van Dellon started four of the five games he played in, and ended the season with a 2-2-1 record and 13 saves.

In addition, senior midfielder Matt Foley (Avon Old Farms/Maple Glen, Pa.), junior forward Greg Davidson (Union Springs/Cayuga, N.Y.), and sophomore defender Max Papperman (Hopewell Valley Central/Pennington, N.J.) will again be called upon for support at their respective positions.

The coaching staff is excited about the talent of this year’s recruiting class. Griffin expects all eight newcomers to compete for quality playing time on a team that is fit, technically driven, and hard-working. Several first-years will add depth and talent to the 2006 squad. Peter Christensen (Loomis Chaffee/Guilford, Conn.) will contribute at the forward position and Matthew Geswell (Carmel/Patterson, N.Y.) will add to the defense, while Grant Morrison (Gleniffer/Paisley, Scotland), Thomas Moulton (Providence Country Day/Coventry, R.I.), and Samuel Wisner (Wayland/Wayland, Mass.) will bring strength to the midfield.

Hobart kicks off its season on Sept. 2, when it takes on Alfred in the first round of the Golisano Children’s Hospital Tournament. The Statesmen make their home debut on Sept. 7 against RIT.