MEN'S SOCCER

NORTHFIELD, Vt. - The 2007 version of the Norwich men's soccer team is set to be one of the best in recent years. The Cadets return 10 of 11 starters from their 13-7-1 2006 team that finished third in the GNAC. Norwich looks to build on last year's success, which included a berth in the ECAC semifinals, following the Cadets' rousing upset of third-seeded Coast Guard Academy.

Norwich will be without All-GNAC goalkeeper Jeff Warner, who graduated last May. Filling his shoes will be senior Jake Pagragan, who began 2006 as the top goalie, before his season was derailed by injuries. Head coach Kyle Dezotell believes that Pagragan has All-GNAC and All-New England potential if he remains healthy. 

Norwich returns five players who have earned All-GNAC performers during the last two years in Drew Dilley, Jason Grupp, Rob Harlow, Kyle Przekaza and Jake Yaris. In Dilley, Harlow and Yaris, the Cadets return the majority of their offense from 2006. Harlow begins the season in reach of the all-time goals record after only two seasons.  Last season's captains, Peter Andrews and David Strojny, return for their senior seasons and hope to lead Norwich further than they have ever been before. Other starters returning from last season include Bobby Begin, Manny Bol, Jason Bliss and Chris Rivet.  Junior Brian Riopelle will battle for the No. 2 goalkeeping spot.

Despite returning the majority of the team's starters, Dezotell has brought in a large recruiting class of 18 to add much needed depth to the squad. Players expected to immediately battle for playing time and potentially starting positions include defender Connor Sweeney (from Cal Rush soccer program), forward Ryan Boyton (transfer from Florida Atlantic), attacking midfielder Mike Lee (from Syracuse FC), Ryan Thygesen  (from the Tilton School), Zach Blodgett (from NH Classics) and Emmanuel Motaze (transfer from Atlanta Perimeter JC). 

In addition, Dezotell has high hopes for the rest of the recruiting class and believes any of the players attending preseason have realistic chances of being an integral part of the Cadets lineup. Other players attending preseason include Jon Amell, Luis Galvez, Ian Thiel, Ethan Toczko, Dan Camburn, Kevin Gallagher, Tim Gompf, Juan Camacho, Cristian Sanabria, Bret Manning, Joe Calano and Josh Tassie.

With the 2006 GNAC champions, Western New England College, having left the conference, Dezotell believes that Norwich will join Johnson & Wales as the teams to beat in the league this season. The Cadets hope to gain home field advantage for the GNAC tournament during the regular season as they believe they are capable of returning to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2001.