SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- August 30, 2007 --The 2007 edition of the Springfield College men’s soccer team opens up its season this weekend as it heads down the road to clash with local foes at the Western New England Classic. The squad, which is laden with veterans and a talented youthful group, is poised to make a run at the NEWMAC Championships this season.
The Pride kicks off the season on September 1 at 12:00 p.m. when it squares off against the Golden Bears of WNEC. On September 2, Springfield and Westfield State will take on each other at 12:00 p.m.
Paced by the reigning NEWMAC Rookie of the Year, Adrian Schippers, the Pride return a NEWMAC Second Team honoree who led the team with 18 points off of a team-high seven goals and four assists in his first year in Maroon and White. Joining Schippers are a pair of NEWMAC Second Team selections in seniors Colin Cook and Tony Distasio. A threatening offensive duo, Cook recorded six goals and four assists last season, while Distasio tallied five goals and three assists.
Head Coach Peter Haley will have his midfield run by a solid corps of veterans this upcoming year. Seniors Ted Feeley, Paul Lepak, Steve Croft and sophomore John Plourd look to control the ball for the Pride in 2007.
In the defensive half, seniors Michael Kilmartin and Henry Ruggiero will return for the final year at Springfield. Minding the met for the Pride this season will be senior B.J. Sturdivant, who returns in his senior year boasting a .741 save percentage and 1.12 goals against average.
Springfield, who plays its first five games on the road, will open up its home schedule on September 15 when is hosts NEWMAC-foe Babson at 1:00 p.m.
Steffen Siebert enters his second season at the helm of the Springfield College men's soccer program in the fall of 2013. After three seasons as an assistant coach, Siebert led the Pride to its second-straight trip to the NEWMAC Championship in his first season. Read more.