Falcons Earn Expected Top Spot In Pre-Season Coaches' Poll
Posted: 8/24/2009
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Sophomore Danny Thompson returns for the 2009 campaign, along with four '08 all-conference selections.

Annville, PA — Six-time defending national champion Messiah topped the 2009 Commonwealth Conference men’s soccer pre-season coaches' poll, the Middle Atlantic States Athletic Corporation announced Monday.

Lebanon Valley College sat at the top of the 2008 Commonwealth Conference standings going into the conference’s postseason championship, but the Dutchmen exited early at the hands of fourth-seeded Widener University by a score of 1-0. Messiah earned the second seed, topping third-seeded Lycoming College, 2-1. In the championship game, the Falcons defeated Widener 7-0 winning their seventh conference championship in nine years and earning another trip to the NCAA Tournament.

The Falcons began NCAA play by knocking off Medaille College, 2-1 in overtime, and followed that with a 1-0 win over the University of Rochester. Earning two more wins in sectionals, Messiah first topped Montclair State University 1-0, and then Christopher Newport University 2-1, with both games going into double-overtime. The Falcons met Loras College in the semis and beat them 3-0 to advance to the National Championship where they defeated Stevens Institute of Technology 1-1 (2OT) 3-0 PKs.

Messiah (21-2-2, 5-1) won their sixth national championship in nine years and look to be at the front of the pack again in 2009. The Falcons landed four players on the all-conference team with Rookie of the Year Derek Black (six goals, five assists) set to lead the forwards. Geoff Pezon (19 goals, 13 assists), Nick Thompson (nine goals, three assists), and Josh Mull round out Messiah’s all-conference selections. Pezon led the conference in scoring. Messiah will also have a new voice of leadership, as Brad McCarthy takes over the head coaching duties after spending the past eight seasons as the team’s top assistant.

Lebanon Valley (9-10, 5-1) earned second place and one first place vote in the preseason poll. The Dutchmen stunned Messiah last season with a 2-1 upset win over the Falcons propelling them to the top of the conference. Coach Charlie Grimes took home Coach of the Year honors as he guided the Dutchmen to their first Commonwealth regular-season title with the team’s first-ever victories over Messiah and Elizabethtown. Three returning members of the squad made the all-conference team last season - senior midfielder Justin Hutchinson was named to the first team, while senior forward Travis Steedle and senior defender Jared Fisher were all second-team selections.

Lycoming (12-7-1, 4-2) landed the third spot in the coaches poll. Chris Lorenzet and David Bald, both first team all-conference selections are slated to return for their senior seasons. Lorenzet led the Warriors with 14 goals and 36 points, ranking second in the league in both categories. He led the league in assists with eight. Bald set the Lycoming single-season record for shutouts with 10. He finished the year with a .80 goals against average, ranking second all-time in Lycoming history. Senior Kyle Welsh, a second-team selection as a defender, helped anchor one of the top defenses in the league.

Elizabethtown College (7-9-2, 2-4) rounds out the top four in the preseason poll. Junior back Cameron Gettel is an anchor on both the offensive and defensive ends for the Blue Jays. He is the team’s top returning goal scorer and also played a key role in leading Elizabethtown to seven shutouts in 2008. Head coach Skip Roderick begins his 27th season on the sidelines with 422 career victories and 17 NCAA tournament appearances, including the 1989 Division III championship.

Widener junior Brian James was a first team selection, showing poise well beyond his years. Senior Hamed Correa is back in net after a standout year in which he was tabbed second team all-conference. Correa was among the league leaders in almost every statistical category.

Alvernia Junior forward Morgan Davidheiser was named to the first team all-conference while Eric Franks was tabbed a second team selection. Davidheiser started all but one game for the Crusaders and paced the offense with a team-leading nine goals.  Newcomer midfielder Franks started every game for Alvernia last season netting four goals.

Arcadia University first-year head coach Rob Nydick will benefit from three returning scorers - Joe Clementi, Matt Nowicki and Ethan Armstrong. Fourth year starting keeper Jeff Kratohwill, who registered four shutouts in ’08 and a 1.55 GAA, will look to replicate another standout year between the pipes.

Among Albright College’s top returners are seniors Chris Mignogna and Bradley Mease. The two will be responsible for leading a youthful Lions roster. Mignogna was a standout forward last season for the red and white. In the backfield, Mease solidified a defense that showed a lot of strength and quickness.

2009 Commonwealth Conference Men’s Soccer Pre-Season Poll
1. Messiah — 57 points (7)
2. Lebanon Valley — 47 points (1)
3. Lycoming — 44 points
4. Elizabethtown — 40 points
5. Widener — 36 points
6. Alvernia — 25 points
7. Arcadia — 23 points
8. Albright — 16 points

( ) first place votes in paretheses

This press release was provided by the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Corporation and the Commonwealth Conference.