Men’s College Soccer

Last season, the University of Maine-Presque Isle’s Owls, under first-year coach Alan Gordon, ended UM-Fort Kent’s three-year reign as Northeast College Conference soccer champion.

“It’ll come down to UMPI and UMFK again this year,” said Unity sixth-year Coach Gary Zane, whose Rams lost to UMPI (3-0) and UMFK (4-0) last weekend in Aroostook County. “They have two completely different styles. UMPI has a lot of speed and depth but UMFK has some outstanding individuals and they are physically stronger than UMPI. That might offset UMPI’s strengths. (UMFK striker-midfielder Blake) Lindstedt can beat you by himself.”

“I personally think it’ll come down to UMPI and us again. UMPI obviously has more depth and experience than we do,” said UMFK Coach Wulf Koch. “Our starting club can play with anybody but we have to stay injury-free. We don’t have any depth. We have some very talented players but we’re a year or two away from being a serious contender for the (NAIA District 5) district title.”

Koch added that his young team “needs to believe in itself.”

Second-year UMPI Coach Alan Gordon agrees with Koch and Zanetwo games with UMFK will probably tell the tale of who wins the conference. We have the potential to be even better than we were last year. We’re starting to put things together.”

UMPI returns six of last season’s starting seven midfielders and fullbacks; two starting forwards and goalie Darren Allen.

And the 25-man roster gives Gordon plenty of depth.

“I know a lot of teams are down in numbers but I’m real happy with our numbers,” said Gordon. “That’s not only good for the future but it creates more competition for spots in the lineup.”

UMFK, Unity and UM-Machias don’t have big rosters and UMFK and Unity have been hit by the injury bug.

Four of R.C. Bayat’s 15 players at the University of Maine-Machias have never played before.

“But if we can stay injury-free, I believe strongly that we can compete very well. We could surprise some people,” said Bayat. “The skill level is better than it was last year.”

Injuries to three key returnees has left Zane with a lineup that has anywhere from seven to nine freshmen playing at one time.

“Inexperience is our weakness and it hurt us in our first couple of games,” said Zane. “We have so many first-year players who are getting used to the college game and the physical nature of college soccer. But our freshmen are resilient and are excited about playing. Having a lot of first-year players builds more enthusiasm.”

NCC Soccer Look

University of Maine at Presque Isle

Coach – Alan Gordon, 2nd year

Last year’s record/current record – 8-7-1; 1-3

Key returnees – G Darren Allen; FB John Hafford, RW Kevin Hamel, MF Todd Drinkwater, MF Darren Collins, LW Wayne Martin, sweeper Dave Page, MFs Joe and John Porter, FB Chris Cossette, MF Shawn Richards

Top newcomers – striker Darren Clukey, FB John Corlett, striker Justis Murchison, striker Mike Beless, forward Jay Moody, FB Mark Shea

Outlook – The Owls have nine starters back off last year’s NCC championship team including All-NCC selections Hamel, Drinkwater, Hafford and Allen. Drinkwater was also All-NAIA District 5 and All-New England. The Owls have been bolstered by the addition of transfer Clukey and Canadian fullback Corlett. They have plenty of depth to go with experience. They will have to replace NCC MVP Bobby Karcher’s 18 goals and 7 assists but Hamel, Martin and Drinkwater combined for 16 & 14 a year ago.

University of Maine-Fort Kent

Coach – Wulf Koch, 2nd year

Last year’s record/current record – 7-9-1; 2-2;

Key returnees: striker-MF Blake Lindstedt, MF John Mattola, MF Tadesse Abebe, sweeper Matthew Gwan-Nulla, FB Robert Gross, G Brian Fay, MF Jonathan Clark, MF Brian Lewis

Top newcomers: G-MF Shawn St. Peter, striker Chuck Michaud, striker Adrian Marquis, FB Lou Tomasso

Outlook: Lindstedt, Mattola and Gwan-Nulla were All-NCC a year ago. The midfield is the team’s strength. Fay gives them a veteran in goal. The Bengals also have above-average speed up front but goal scoring is a question mark. And there isn’t much depth. The Bengals have suffered a few injuries and can’t afford any more. Linstedt had 5 & 6 last year and has already scored a couple of goals this season.

Unity College

Coach – Gary Zane, 6th year

Last year’s record/current record – 6-8-1, 1-3

Key returnees: G Rick Dreves, FB Marc Goldberg, stopper Peter Ruksznis, MF Jim Bandelin, MF Tom Kostovick, striker Derek Zeruk, G-MF Chris Dyer

Top newcomers – wing Seth Magaw, striker Chris Iller, wing Dieter Ganshaw, MF Danny Boyce, MF Jason Boucher, sweeper Chris Hill, MF Tom Hammond, FB Aaron Baker

Outlook: The Rams have been forced into a full-fledged youth movement and rebuilding year after three big injuries (top scorer Peter Abello and Ben Nowak suffered knee injuries; fullback Tim Aresco suffered a dislocated shoulder). Zane starts 7-8 freshmen each game. Dreves is a quality goalie and freshmen front liners Magaw, Iller and Ganshaw have shown a lot of promise. The fullback corps is Zane’s major concern.

UM-Machias

Coach – R.C. Bayat, 2nd year

Last year’s record/current record – 2-10-1, 0-1

Key returnees: MF Keith Williams, MF David Martins, striker-MF Jake Peirce, striker Tim Fuller, FB Chris Onufer, FB Steve Mahuka, MF-striker Matt Klinkosky, striker Tom Coutcher

Top newcomers: G Scott Douglas, striker Matthew Kelley, MF-FB Sid Uperty, striker Neil Christensen

Outlook: Williams was an All-NCC and All-NAIA District 5 pick a year ago. The Clippers have gems in freshmen goalie Douglas and first-year striker Kelley, who has been hampered by some pulled leg muscles. The defense should be strong. Bayat needs to find somebody to complement Kelley up front. With only 15 players, UMM can’t afford injuries. They have four players who have never played soccer before.