Men's Soccer Preview For 2006

Friday, September 01, 2006

The Clinton Men Soccer team will open their season on the road this weekend. Saturday they will travel to Cayuga Community College and Sunday they play Tompkins-Cortland Community College.

Clinton has six players returning this year and nine newcomers.  Clinton lost their leading scorer, Clint McCool. McCool scored 14 goals and six assists last year. 

The six  returners  include Wade Studley (Seton) in goal, Adam Scharf (Franklin Academy) in midfield, Matt Lawrence (NAC) on defense, Matt Sequin (NCCS)  in midfield, Thomas Babbie (NCCS) on defense and Brannion Sample (NCCS) in midfield.

Coach Eric Arnold said, "We have have the potential to do well this season. But we only have 15 players on the roster and we need to stay healthy. Our goals have not changed. Our first goal is to win the NIC (Northern Independents Conference) and then qualify for the regionals and get the highest seed we can."  Last year Clinton finished with a 9-7-2 record.

Coach also said, " We also need to develop a consistent scoring attack and have our new players adjust quickly to this level."

Newcomers from Westport, NY include Kurtis Hathaway and Chris White. Coach said, "Hathaway is athletic and fast and White is versatile."

Matt Sequin's speed will help Clinton this year.   Sample and newcomers Ryan Hartigan, Hamzat Batchi and Peter Ammo-Ashie will play an important role on the offensive end.  Studley will be in goal for Clinton. Coach said,"Wade was able to keep us in games last year and we're expecting another strong year from him."

Defense will be covered by Babbie, Lawrence,Scharf, Justin Marks, Mike Southwick and Sequin.
"Scharf and Sequin can both defend for us if needed. Southwick is listed as a forward, but he can see time at outside back. Babbie will be the anchor on defense for us."

"Good leadership is a key. Our team speed, except for in the back, is better than it was last year.
We will need to take advantage of that." said Coach.

Clinton will host Fulton Montgomery CC at home on Thursday, September 7th at 4:00PM.

The complete roster and schedule will be found online.