POUGHKEEPSIE, NY (August 28, 2010) -- After posting their best league record since 2003 and missing the Liberty League playoffs by one game, the Vassar College men's soccer team has one goal – to make the post season for the first time since 2003. Playing in one of the toughest leagues in the country with several national contenders, the Brewers capped the 2009 season with a 4-1-1 run to finish with a 9-6-1 record, the most wins since 2003. An influx of youth and returning defensive squad should help the Brewers continue their Liberty League ascent. Vassar men's soccer opens its season on the road against Fairleigh Dickinson at Florham on September 1 at 4:00 p.m. The Brewers will face Manhattanville in the home opener on September 4 at 2:00 p.m.

Departures

The Brewers graduated Liberty League Player of the Year and captain Brian Bianchetti, goalkeeper and captain Jake London, second leading scorer Chris Nieminski, Alex Freund, and Guthrie Raimondo. Jennings will miss the contributions of the graduated five but noted that, “sometimes when a team loses a key player, other players raise their level of play to fill the hole.”

After three years as the Vassar assistant coach, Nate Gibboney will join the Lafayette College coaching staff. Tony Flores will fill the assistant position after a stint as an assistant on the Rutgers-Newark coaching staff. Chuck Wilder will remain as the goalkeeper coach.

Additions

The head of the Liberty League Co-Coaching Staff of the Year, Andy Jennings, attributes Vassar's steady improvement over the last five years to, “the development of competitive recruiting classes.” Jennings, in his 20th year as head soccer coach, expects the 2010 crop of talent to be “as good or potentially better than the previous class,” and to help to soften the loss of five accomplished seniors. Jennings has a strong class of 13 freshmen joining the program's young group of four seniors, six juniors, and 13 sophomores.

Key Players

Senior captains Jimmy Worboys and Marc Morelli will lead the defense that returns four starters. Sophomore Simon Whitelaw and Junior Sam Erlichson McCarthy complete the flat back four defensive formation.

Jennings expects sophomore Zander Mrlik to build on an impressive freshman campaign that included a school record 10 assists and All-Liberty League Honorable Mention honors. Mrlik added two goals to tally a team-second 14 points.

Juniors Ross Macklin and Harrison Freund team with sophomore Bryan English to lead the offense from the midfield and set the table for junior striker Eli London. Freund and London tied for the fourth most points on the team with seven each.

Seniors Jake Weiss and Ben Scaglione, who is returning from an injury, will also factor into the attack.

Sophomore Gary Clauss is expected to replace the departed London in goal but will be challenged by two talented, incoming freshmen keepers.

Strengths

Vassar plays a possession-based game predicated on short-passing and building from the back. While the Brewers may lack in size and physicality, they rely on quickness and technically sound play. The teams depth allows Jennings to employ a variety of formations and personnel packages based on the opponent and situation. Last season, Jennings was pleased with the team's defense of and opportunities on set pieces. Mrlik's cannon-like throw-ins provided quality scoring chances but the Brewers need to replace Bianchetti and Nieminski on free kicks. The squad will work on conceding fewer goals and creating more shots in general play.

Schedule

The Brewers will use the seven non-conference games to prepare for their first Liberty League match on September 24, hosting St. Lawrence University. Vassar hosts two of their three Liberty League weekends on September 24 and October 8 and plays the final contest on the road against Liberty League Champion and NCAA no. 21 ranked Rensselaer on October 30. After last year's success in the Liberty League, the Brewers plan on finding their game early in league play and securing their coveted playoff spot before the final game of the season.