Men's Soccer Hopes for Second GNAC Title

The Norwich men's soccer team is defending a 2008 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title. Last season they finished with an 18-3-1 overall record. They have begun their season with a 4-3-1 record.

The season got off to a rocky start, according to Kyle Dezotell, men's soccer head soach, with a 1-2 record. Norwich lost against Plattsburg State and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA). It beat the State University of New York Cobleskill at the MCLA Tournament. The Cadets placed second in the MCLA tournament.

"Being below five hundred is different for this team. To lose two out of your first three games is new for these guys," Coach Dezotell said. In the past two seasons the men's soccer team has lost only two regular season games.

The Cadets won the GNAC Championship last season. It's a goal for the team to repeat that this year, according to Coach Dezotell. There is a lot of self-imposed pressure to win the GNAC again. "Our returners expect to win; our goal now is making our new guys feel that same way. When you have that belief you will be successful," Coach Dezotell said.

There were 15 freshmen added to the team this year. "I think the freshmen are just as good as the players that graduated," Coach Dezotell said.

"The biggest thing we have to focus on is developing the younger players," said Assistant Coach Eric Nordenson. "We have to rebuild a foundation that we lost."

The freshmen players are Sam Armus, Kyle Buscaqlia, Nick York, Joe Longo, Juan Camacho, Jake Leclaire, Mike Ravenelle, Garrett Shufelt, Danny Hudson, Jason Klein, Steven Perry, Bridger Van Ness, Geoff Russ, Colin Pope and Matt Calhoun.

Leading the team this year are captains Jacob Yaris, Chris Rivet, and Roger Motaze. Goalkeeper Charles Maxwell is expected to perform solid and steady, according to Coach Nordenson.

"Charles Maxwell, Chris Rivet, Jake Yaris, and Roger Motaze are four players that are as good as any team in Division III has." Coach Dezotell said. 

On Sept 12, the Cadets shut out Emerson College at home, improving its record to 2-2. "Emerson is always a team that's tough to beat," said senior Chris Rivet, 21, a civil engineering major, from Harrisville R.I. The Cadets were able to pull the win off two goals to none.

Recently the Cadets tied Suffolk University, lost against Middlebury College and beat Emmanuel College.

The Cadets have learned not to use their inexperience and youth as any excuse, according to Coach Dezotell.

"It can be a big year; it's just whatever we make of it. We have a lot of freshmen, and to fill those roles that left, it's a lot of pressure on them, and it's a lot of pressure on us as well," said senior Jacob Yaris, 21, a criminal justice major from Raymond N.H.

 The Cadets will be matching up against an in-state rival, Castleton State College, and following that Albertus Magnus University.