Sept. 16, 2005

During Siena Saints men's soccer coach Charlie Curto's 21-year tenure, he has coached a plethora of talented players in Green and Gold jerseys. This year's challenge is different, after losing five players crucial to the nucleus of his 2004 squad, Coach Curto will once again have a new look team with a wealth of depth going into 2005.

The Green and Gold return 18 players in all, with seven having starter experience. The Saints also welcome 11 highly touted freshmen who have garnered accolades at the high school level and bring with them expectations for a bright future, which begins now. "We are a young team but there will be nobody questioning our ability or desire to succeed," said Curto. "With our depth at every position, we can afford to mix and match lineups to promote the good while learning from the inevitable mistakes."

Following last season's 2-12-5 record, Saints fans know that there is definitely room for improvement. Siena will have to fall back on the leadership skills of their valuable veterans to both take the new group under their wings and to lead by example on the field.

The Saints offense last season scored an average of a goal per game. Defensively, Siena allowed an average of two goals per game. This year, they hope to improve in both areas behind the young recruits and the established returning core.

Coach Curto's eyes widen when he talks about this new team and the potential that comes along with the new season. "In my 25 years at Siena, this team works harder and seems to be more driven to win than any other team I've had the privilege of coaching," said the impressed Curto. "Our motto this year is `Deserve to Win.' Attaining that goal begins on the practice field and becomes second nature come game time."

The Saints will set out to assert that motto starting this fall. With a solid work ethic which comes from the coaching staff and veterans coupled with the promise that comes with this newest recruiting class, all roads point to success as the Green and Gold look to reassert themselves in the MAAC.

Midfielders

The Saints have big shoes to fill at the midfield position after losing captains C.J. Mellili and Joe Vitale, who both represented the core of the Saints' offense during last year's campaign. With a deep roster featuring skill and talent, look for a number of Saints to jockey for position to shoulder the load offensively.

Sophomore Liam Welsh (West Town, N.Y.) showed how bright the future can be in his one season in the Green and Gold. During his freshman campaign, Welsh garnered the MAAC Rookie of the Year Award to go along with a selection to the MAAC All-Rookie Team and was a Second Team All-MAAC selection. Saints fans anxiously await Welsh taking his game to the next level this season and hopefully adding a few more awards to his resume. The West Town native should see his scoring production increase, as he will be a focal point of the Saints' offense. With Welsh's solid work ethic inspiring the rest of the team coupled with the highly touted freshman class, no coach could ask for a better role model going forward.

At 6-3, sophomore Mike Battiste (Niskayuna, N.Y.) will also play a vital role in Curto's offensive scheme at midfield this season. His combination of size, strength, and skill with the ball will provide the team with more opportunities to score goals this season. Battiste is coming off of a solid season last fall, starting 18 of the 19 games played, scoring two goals and tallying four points overall.

Sophomore Jason Laffin (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) looks to make a run at being the most improved Saint as his off-season work in the weight room has expectations for his play this season soaring. As a freshman, Laffin played more of a reserve role, starting one game and scoring one goal. He has shown his dedication with his rigorous training and quieted critics through his hard work. This could solidify his starting spot at the midfield position for Coach Curto. There is nowhere to go but up for this hard worker, because he won't accept less. Laffin is a gifted playmaker with great field vision and has an uncanny ability to make those around him better.

Senior Sean Kelly (Red Hook, N.Y.) also looks to make an impact this year as a midfielder. Kelly, a MAAC All-Rookie Team selection in his freshman year, is coming off an injury-plagued junior season. With a healthy Kelly, the Saints add a major contributor to their offense who has experience and a feeling that he has something to prove. In 15 games last season, the senior managed to make the most of his time on the field ranking third on the team in goals (2) and fourth in points (4) despite missing eight starts.

Junior Delmiro Fernandez (Wappinger Falls, N.Y.) brings three years of experience to the position. He is a skillful and deceptive player who has a keen eye for seeing how plays will unfold on the fly.

In his final season with the Saints, Senior Alejandro Vazquez (Newburgh, N.Y.) looks to end his Siena soccer career in style. As one of the most gifted athletes and hardest working players on the team, Vazquez will be a top prospect for All-MAAC team honors. His hard-nosed determination and gritty play on the field has made him a "go-to-guy." "Alejandro represents the heart and soul of our team," states Curto. "In all my years of coaching, I have never seen a player with his work ethic and his coachability. He understands the nuances, that practicing hard and preparing are necessary first steps on the path that leads to victory."

Senior Kris Dillmann (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) brings a barrage of extraordinary qualities to the midfield position. The fleet-footed Poughkeepsie native can tackle with authority and he can swing a strong right foot, which the Saints hope to rely on. His versatility as a midfielder will earn him more playing time this season at center midfield, defensive center midfield, and offensive center midfield.

Experienced role player Chris Turcio (LaGrangeville, N.Y.) has come a long way since earning a spot on this team as a walk-on in 2002. The senior has gained valuable experience with his playing time in the past three years, and is a player with great leadership abilities. Turcio, along with freshmen Austin Asadorian (Washington Township, N.J.), Jeff Neustadt (Florida, N.Y.), Ross Cardinell (Loudonville, N.Y.), Philip Venditti (Voorheesville, N.Y.), Terrance Moynihan (Fishkill, N.Y.), and lacrosse standout Matt Walsh (Northport, N.Y.) will all compete for minutes this season at midfield.

"Austin's a player who has good skills, can win balls, and can create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates," said Curto. "Ross and Phil are both very good with the ball and are very conditioned athletes. Both can run up and down the field all day long, they will be utilized in our offense."

Defenders

The popular saying "Championships are won and lost on defense" is one that Coach Curto is a firm believer in. If the Saints hope to make a run at the MAAC tournament this season, they will need to clamp down on defense and limit their opponent's offensive production. Leading that charge will be Senior T.J. Helly (Carmel, N.Y.), who enters his final season with the goal of solidifying his position as the defensive leader. Helly is a multi-faceted player who offers the team not only a defensive stopper, but also a playmaker on offense. The Carmel native ranked second in goals (3) and third in points (6) last season. Helly will be a fun player to watch as he showcases his roles on the team as defensive captain and offensive producer.

Senior Mike Coyle (Fishkill, N.Y.) brings a strong defensive presence coupled with the ability to mix it up and stop the opposition in its tracks. His experience, keen eye, and deceptive ball control gives this defense a versatile weapon.

Expect to see sophomore Kevin Bendl (Manhasset, N.Y.) and freshmen Brian Woodfield (Clifton Park, N.Y.), Zachary Gosse (Oakdale, N.Y.), and Shane Lowe (High Park, N.Y.) all to receive considerable playing time on defense. Bendl's a physical player who is not afraid to offer his entire body in helping to keep the opposition from scoring. Woodfield is a player who reads the game well and has great field vision. Gosse brings great foot speed along with his other talents and Curto hopes that translates into him being very effective in stopping the opposition before they can move the ball down the field. Lowe bring great tenacity and a "never-say-die" attitude that defenses crave.

Forwards

The dynamic duo of Caio Silva (Sao Paulo, Brazil) and Chris Crescitelli (Merrick, N.Y.) return for their final season upfront for the Green and Gold. The sophomore class comes back with a season of experience under their belt and is led by Tom Ciovacco (Poughkeepsie, N.Y.) and Vito Urbano (Niskayuna, N.Y.). In 2004, Crescitelli was tied for second on the team in assists (2). Silva shows his incredible skill by shooting the ball with either his left or right foot with equal effectiveness. His ability to cross the ball at will often leaves defenders with buckled knees in his wake. Add to that core, a skilled pair of freshmen in Nicholas D'Alessandro (West Hempstead, N.Y.) and Mike DeSimone (Clifton Park, N.Y.) and the Saints have a deep talent base for Curto to mix and match with this season.

"Watch out for Mike DeSimone," warns Curto. "He's got an outside shot at being the next Rookie of the Year for Siena College." As far as D'Alessandro goes, "Nick's a kid who'll be coming off the bench and who'll prove to be a goal scorer for us."

Goalkeepers

Last season, junior Patrick Henry (LaGrangeville, N.Y.) was the catalyst to the Saints defense, racking up a team-high 62 saves in 13 starts. Henry is a key to the Green and Gold between the pipes this season as he looks to reduce his 1.65 goals against average from last year. Siena has depth here as well with returning sophomores Dan Majewski (Queens, N.Y.) and Kyle Christiansen (Troy, N.Y.) battling for playing time, while newcomer Eric Rosse (Malta, N.Y.) looks to adjust to his first season playing for the Saints.

Outlook

With 18 of the 30 players on the roster being freshmen or sophomores, the Saints success this season will be due largely to how well and how quickly this team can form a cohesive unit.

"We addressed a number of needs with the incoming freshmen," remarked Coach Curto. "We now have the depth to go out on the field and have the variety of player combinations who now can step up and carry us on both sides of the ball. We've got difference makers on this team with a `PHD' attitude. They are Persistent, Hungry, and Driven with the desire to improve and the will to win."