2005 Team Preview
The Swarthmore men's soccer team kicks off the 2005 season at the annual Garnet Alumni Classic on Labor Day Weekend. The Garnet, who began 2004 by winning the Classic and running out to a 4-0 start, the best since 1966, look to repeat last year's success by blending a strong returning group of players, with an outstanding freshman class.
Eight returning starters, including senior defender Alex Elkins and senior forward Andrew Terker, both of whom were All-Centennial Conference selections in 2004, will mix with several strong underclassmen to make up Swarthmore's 2005 squad. Elkins, a three-year starter at sweeper, captained the first Swarthmore team to earn a Centennial Conference playoff spot, and directed a defensive unit that at one point were ranked 17th in the nation in goals against average. Terker led the team in goals (8), including four game-winners, to propel the Garnet offense in 2004.
Swarthmore may have lost three key starters to graduation, but the team looks to be stronger all around due to leadership of the senior class and significant depth at every position on the field. Last year's freshman class, which included four regular starters (Brendan Grady, Patrick Christmas, Michael Bonesteel, and Brandon Washington), are now seasoned veterans looking to move the Garnet forward. Bonesteel and Washington were first and second on the team in points, respectively, in 2004, and will challenge Terker in the race for scoring honors this season.
Also returning are several juniors who have consistently produced for the program the past two seasons. Midfielder Matt Schiller '07 brings speed to the wing, physical forward Colton Bangs '07 has proven he can score in the clutch, and defender Duncan Gromko '06 possesses the experience (21 starts in 2004) to bring success to the Garnet.
Further strengthening Swarthmore is a stellar group of incoming student-athletes, possibly the best yet in head coach Eric Wagner's four years. "The incoming class is deep and very talented," he said, adding that "we expect this group of student-athletes to help us continue our success from 2004 and to keep the program on the rise for several years."
The 2005 schedule will be very demanding, presenting the Garnet with the opportunity to earn regional and national recognition. The Centennial Conference schedule will include five home matches at Clothier Stadium, where Swarthmore led the league in attendance last year. After finishing third in the CC in 2004 and losing in overtime in the conference semifinals, the Garnet will strive to earn another playoff bid in 2005.
The nonconference schedule brings in visitors from Indiana (Earlham College), New York (Vassar), and the University of Scranton and Albright College. Upon the team's return, the regular season includes trips to New Jersey (FDU-Florham), Maryland (St. Mary's and McDaniel), and up and down the local roads to play Widener and Moravian. Swarthmore experienced some international travel in 2005, taking a pre-season trip to London and Manchester, England, in early August. The Garnet played four friendly matches against professional and amateur clubs, while training, sightseeing, and taking in three top-flight professional matches.
It promises to be another exciting season of soccer at Swarthmore, we hope you can come out and join the fun!