Aug. 30, 2007

Garden City, N.Y. - The Panthers returned to the upper echelon of Division I college soccer in 2006, thanks to an 11-7-1 season and Atlantic Soccer Conference (ASC) regular season and tournament titles. Adelphi also made a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 15 years, thanks to their tournament title.

However, Adelphi's biggest loss was not to graduation or even on the field, but on the bench. The Panthers lost head coach Bob Montgomery, who spent 29 years on Adelphi's sidelines. To replace Montgomery the Panthers have brought in someone well known, and greatly respected among the tri-state soccer community, Carlo Acquista.

"I'm extremely excited to be taking over for Bob Montgomery and I'm looking forward to building on last year's success," Acquista said. "I also have off the field goals as well. I want my athletes to do well in school, be strong role models and good citizens of the University."

Acquista inherited a team that gave up just 22 goals last season and is looking to continue that defensive success while bringing his own ideas and philosophies to the table. "It's pretty similar to my first head coaching position in that it will take a lot of patience and work day-to-day," Acquista stated. "You can't change the world over night, but through coaching, teaching and practicing the team can begin to build its own identity within the University."

Goalkeeper
The Panthers have three veteran goalkeepers returning and bring in a very experienced transfer. Juniors Vincent Treglia and Dan Westerman along with senior Matt Metzger will provide veteran leadership at the back, while newcomer Shane Flanagan brings a wealth of starting experience to the field.

"Bringing in a two-time NAIA honorable mention All-American in Shane Flanagan is going to help bolster the position," Acquista explained. "The addition of Jon Urbom as the goalkeeper coach will also help our goalkeeping, to remain strong throughout the season."

"We want to get off to a good start on our first two weekends of play. We are looking to make a statement early, just like every other team in the nation." Head Coach Carlo Acquista

Westerman logged four minutes in net last season, while both Treglia and Metzger got significant reps in practice. "All four goalkeepers are in the competition for starting minutes this season. However, Shane has a slight edge thanks to his experience and development," Acquista said.

Defense
Last season Adelphi had one of the best defenses in the region, allowing just 1.15 goals per game and producing two all-conference performers and one all-region honoree in Marlon Bennett, who departed thanks to graduation.

"With the loss of Marlon Bennett we have some big shoes to fill at the back," Acquista explained. "I feel that Kris Frick, Georgio Liasi, Ryan Vulin and Mark Hoffman all returning will help us solidify things on defense sooner rather then later due to our wealth of experience."

Frick, Liasi and Vulin all started 17 games or more last season, while Liasi made five starts and appeared in 11 games. The addition of freshman Kris Nosworthy will add more options to an already loaded defense. "Nosworthy will help us by adding depth, poise and a different style and personality to the back," Acquista stated.

Freshman newcomer Kyle Elmore will also compete for playing time, while continuing to mature and gain valuable experience within Adelphi's system.

Midfield
Adelphi returns every midfielder from a year ago with the exception of Ron Forman who split time between the midfield and striker spots, and finished second on the team in goals (5) and points (11). The return of a strong group of upper classmen along with a few key additions will keep the Panthers strong in the middle of the field.

"Having Ollie (Skelding) back to anchor our midfield is a huge plus. The return of both Patrick (Figueiredo), our leading scorer from a year ago, and Val (Charalambous) give us even more weapons in the middle," Acquista explained. "I also see transfer Kemalie Preston playing significant minutes along with Diego Rosa, who will play a larger role in the midfield this season."

Ryan Vulin started 19 games last season.

Skelding saw action in 15 games last season, notching one goal, while Patrick led the team in scoring with six tallies, two of which were game winners. Val started every game in the midfield for Adelphi and had two assists and one goal. Due to an injury Rosa appeared in just four games but will compete for playing time along with Angelo Abballe, Andrew Worth and Stephen Fregosi.

"Throughout preseason Fregosi has been very fit, consistent and is fighting for a starting spot," Acquista said. "Worth has a ton of speed which we will utilize in a number of ways."

Forward
Along with the loss of Forman, who accounted for four of Adelphi's 11 game winning goals, the Panthers have to cope with the loss of Keith Rock, who started 13 games, scored three goals and chipped in with one assist. Adelphi will remain explosive up top with the return of Figueiredo, Rob Philippou and the addition of Lucas Correa.

"I'm extremely excited to have Patrick back and with the addition of Lucas we are looking to be much quicker and more dynamic moving forward," Acquista explained. "The late addition of John Koutsourandis will add a ton of athletic ability and speed up top.

Philippou was fourth on the team in scoring last season with two goals and two assists in 17 games and will continue to be a huge contributor this season.

Schedule Adelphi's schedule remains tough this season with two strong early season tournaments that will feature games against Virginia Tech, Albany, Loyola and Radford. The Panthers open their ASC schedule on September 29th against Longwood. However, with the loss of Hartwick to the Mid-Athletic Conference, the ASC lost its automatic berth to the NCAA Division I tournament.

"The loss of the automatic qualifier by winning the conference doesn't mean we will not be selected for NCAA's, but it means every game is a must win for us," Acquista said. "We have some tough teams on tap this season and every game is a fight and a battle. If we play well and compete, maybe we will be selected for NCAA's."

As stated, the Panthers have a tough schedule, which features many talented teams who have been nationally and regionally ranked and feature NCAA credentials. "We want to get off to a good start on our first two weekends of play," Acquista stated. "We open with America East conference member Albany and Atlantic Coast Conference member Virginia Tech, but we can't overlook anyone on our schedule. We are looking to make a statement early, just like every other team in the nation."