Experienced Bulldogs excited for 2019 season
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – The Bryant University men's soccer team kicks off the 2019 season on Friday in Riverside, California, and head coach Seamus Purcell is excited about the plethora of experience this year's team possesses.
The defensive unit is led by senior captain James Cochrane (Sandy Hook, Conn.) and returns four players in the backline. Along with Cochrane is junior Matthew Kane (Lincoln, R.I.) who started in all seven of his seven conference games played, and senior Zachary Valckenaere (Wappingers Falls, N.Y.).
"The back four brings a ton of experience," Purcell said before his team's practice Tuesday. "With the players having played together over the last couple of years, we know how each other plays and we know how we want to play. That's the big thing, the experience."
Also on the backline is two-time captain George Gill (Cork, Munster, Ireland) who will play an important role in the team's leadership across the field.
Senior goalkeeper Olivier Larente (Lasalle, Quebec) returns for his second season starting between the posts after an impressive first season owning a .906 save percentage in conference play and a .742 save percentage overall. Additionally, he was second amongst goalies in the Northeast Conference in shutout games with five.
"Ollie has a lot of experience being here for four years and playing last year, so he brings us that in the back," Purcell said.
In the midfield, Bryant returns a talented trio. Senior captain Victor Rey (Lincoln, R.I.) and juniors Charles DeSantis (Saint-Mathias-Sur-Richelieu, Quebec) and Matteo Toti (Rome, Italy) have been playing together for the last three years. DeSantis finished the 2018 season with two goals and one assist and was eighth in the NEC in shots with 39, while Rey added 16 shots respectively. Toti further aided the offensive push brought on by the Bulldogs' midfield last season and will bring that same energy to the field this year.
Freshman Diego Rodriguez (Woodbridge, Conn.) will also be joining the middle of the pack for Bryant this season. Rodriguez scored one of Bryant's four goals in the preseason scrimmage against Harvard. Purcell praised the freshman midfielder and the rest of the incoming freshman class, enthusiastic about the great addition the newcomers are to the team.
The team's attack returns last season's top scorer in sophomore Ben Williams (Unionville, Ontario), who was named to the NEC-All Rookie team after posting four goals and two assists on the 2018 season. Junior Jared Lee (South Setauket, N.Y.), who accounted for two goals last season, is also coming back to the Bulldogs' front line.
New to the offensive line this season is senior transfer Alex DaCosta (Bristol, R.I.) who will be an added threat to the Bulldog's attack.
"Alex DaCosta is a very talented player," said Purcell. "He's a senior and brings in great experience."
The Black and Gold returns 20 total members from last season's NEC final team, while welcoming nine new members to this year's 29-man roster.
Bryant's first regular season game is Friday in Riverside, California, when the Black & Gold face UC Riverside at 10:30 p.m. EST. The Bulldogs open home play on Sept. 15.
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