Bloomsburg Men's Soccer to Open 2006 Season at New Multi-Purpose Stadium

BLOOMSBURG- The Bloomsburg University men's soccer team will open its 2006 season on Saturday, August 26 at 2 p.m. against California (PA). It will be the first ever game held at Bloomsburg's new $1.5 million multi-purpose stadium. The new stadium features lights and a new field turf surface.

Playing with pride and passion is what Bloomsburg University men's soccer coach Paul Payne is looking for from his players as they prepare for the 2006 season. Payne is optimistic that he has the type of players who will typify that style of play this season and lead the Huskies to a post-season playoff berth.

I'm cautiously optimistic, we have a quality group of players this year and it's a mix of some upperclassmen and some outstanding freshmen," said Payne. "Our goal every year is to play every match with a passion for the game. If that is done it should get us were we want to be and that is in the PSAC playoffs. Once there it's up to us to get that championship and possible NCAA bid."

The strength of this year's team will be its versatility with several players being able to play multiple positions.

"Having players who can play both as attackers and defenders will give us lots of different options on how we come at an opponent," Payne added. "We also have good size and speed which is a key component of any team."

OFFENSE

The Huskies offensive attack this year will be led by senior Trevor Dubensky (Milford/ Delaware Valley) and junior John Brittingham (Stockton, MD/ Pocomoke). Dubensky scored three times a year ago, while Brittingham is moving up from midfield to an attack position this season.

MIDFIELD

In the midfield senior co-captain Josh Prall (Clarks Summit/ Abbington Heights) returns and will be the leader. Junior Chris Tomarelli (Oreland/ Springfield), sophomores Bryan Darby (Doylestown/ Central Bucks East) and Eric Moninghoff (Upper Black Eddy/ Palisades) will also add a mix of pace with skill and give us an attacking presence. Three freshmen will make an impact with Marcus Valeriano (Oley/ Oley Valley) leading the way. An outstanding distributor of the ball he will be a difference maker. He is joined by Chris Chestnut (West Lawn/ Wilson) and Eric Simonds (Sassamansville/ Boyertown) who have skill and pace.

BACK

In the back the Huskies feature a veteran group that has been hardened by PSAC matches. Co-captain Steve Feimster (Stroudsburg/ Pocono Mt. East) returns in a starting role for the fourth year and is joined by juniors Ryan Scafiddi (Turnersville, NJ/ Washington Twp) and Dan Beshore (Mt. Wolf/ Northeastern) and sophomore Brian Farrell (Telford/ Souderton). Two players pushing for time in the starting unit will be junior Jon Keller (Clarks Summit/ Abbington Heights) and Mike Jones (Paoli/ Great Valley), a talented 6-6 freshman.

GOALKEEPER

In goal Travis Young (Altoona/ Altoona Area) will look to build on his freshman season where he played the majority of matches. Also, 6-5 freshman David Leindecker (Easton/ Easton) will push him for the starting berth. Jon Keller, who saw time in goal in 2004, provides good depth at the position for Bloomsburg.

PSAC PLAY

As always the Huskies will face a very tough conference schedule.

"As always it's a dog fight within the PSAC," Payne remarked. "On any day any team can knock off the other. There are the traditional powers of East Stroudsburg, Lock Haven and California, but Slippery Rock won it last year which is a prime example of how wide open the conference is."

OVERALL

As with any young team, Payne knows there will be both ups and downs.

"We are young and will have moments of brilliance and moments of worries," he said. "But this group has the potential to be special."