Pioneers Look to make Next Step

The Alfred State men's soccer team will look to make the next step as they have their sights set on the ACAA Championship. Coach Jonathan Hoover will rely on the leadership of a large returning class as the team looks to continue their upward climb.

Brandon Holley (Livonia), Albert Senyah (Long Island/Central Islip), and Kory Zimmer (Livonia) will be counted on to lead the offensive unit. Holley led the team with eight goals and an assist last year, Senyah recorded 11 points (3 goals and 5 assists), and Zimmer has seven career goals. The team will also count on Ade Adesanya (Brooklyn/Progress), Zachary Curran (Williamson) and Ku Reh (Buffalo/Riverside) for some offensive production.

Seniors Jake Vattimo (Geneseo) and John Mormino (Alfred Almond) return for their senior campaigns and will be asked to anchor the midfield and defense. 

Hoover expects contributions from newcomers Chris Balys (Holley) and Ryan VanDemortel (Williamson). He is also excited to see how the three-way battle in goal will pan out with Johnny Starzee (West Babylon), Vince Biancuzzo (Genesee Valley), and Zack Barker (Steubenville, OH) competing for time inside the pipes.

The 2017 schedule features 16 regular season games starting with a home contest vs. SUNY Delhi on September 1st. The team hopes to earn a return trip to the ACAA Championships (the 2016 team fell in the championship game to Pine Manor). The championships will be held at Valley Forge on the first weekend of November.