The 2010 VMI men's soccer team is ready to get off to a fresh start with an old face in a new place, as former assistant coach Richie Rose will take over the reins of the program this season. VMI fans can expect a better product than years past, as the intensity and quality have improved drastically this preseason according the VMI's new head man.
“The main thing about this year so far is that the intensity and the quality has improved drastically,” said Rose. “We, as a team, set a different approach this year of doing a lot more developmental work through the tactical and technical side of the game, which will benefit us this year, and in the long run.”
The program returns a solid core of players with significant experience, as 16 letterwinners, along with nine starters, return to take part in version 2010 of the Keydet program.
“Every coach has their own style of play, and their own style of leadership and management,” said Rose. “Therefore, it will be somewhat of a different style this season, but still building on what has been built in previous years.”
This different style was evident early in the preseason in the teams first exhibition match of the season. The Keydets hung tough with No. 2 and defending NCAA National Champion, the Virginia Cavaliers, holding the Wahoos scoreless for 53 minutes before falling 4-0.
“At the beginning of the season in the past, we have set too many outcome goals. This season, we decided to set performance goals, as well as outcome goals. During preseason games this is big, and that is something we certainly did against Virginia, one of the top teams in the country,” said Rose. ”Our goal there was to try and play our game and not be intimidated. We had success them that long, working the ball around, and we achieved our performance goals, but not our outcome goal.”
Goalkeepers
The rock of the VMI squad, four-year starter Brian Sowell, returns for his senior season after putting his name atop of the VMI record book in several categories. Last season, he logged 1,583 minutes in his junior year top put him on top of the minutes played with 4,415 in his career. Additionally, he now leads the program in save percentage at 77 percent and in career saves with 308, while ranking third in shutouts with seven and in goals against average at 1.88.
“Brian started as a freshman, and we would like to see him break the shutout record,” said Rose of his standout goalkeeper. “He is a key player for our team, and should be able to keep us in games this season. Now the game has changed and nearly 70 percent of the game is at their feet, he has to refine and adapt his game. He is a great keeper and one of the best in the Big South, and I hope he gets all the accolades he deserves this year.
The backup position will be up for grabs, with sophomore Taylor Feuerstein and freshman Daniel Kitchen will battle for time behind Sowell. Feuerstein was on the squad last season, but did not see any game action, while Kitchen was an All-District selection as well as a second team All-Region and All-Metro selection during his senior season at Douglas Freeman High School in Richmond.
“For Taylor, I would like to see him not be satisfied being backup, but if he doesn't set that goal of becoming the No. 1, he won't be the No. 1. I know he will keep working and get better,” said Rose of the Cary, N.C. product. “For Daniel Kitchen, I am very pleased. He is an outstanding goalkeeper coming from the Richmond Strikers, and has shown with an outstanding preseason that he is ready to challenge for the No. 1 spot. His all-around game has been excellent. I want to get him some more time on the field to see what he can do this season.”
Defense
The defense returns a solid group of returners, and Rose will look to sprinkle in a pair of promising freshman in Stephen Mallon and Santo Ripa. Additionally, the durable two-year starter junior Brandon Gary as well as the mercurial Zaher Shihata, the versatile David Rochow and the leadership of Kurt Zimmerman could change the ways of the Keydet defense.
“We have a good mix of the guys that we brought in with Stephen and Santo, who will give us some very good depth in the style that we play. Both are big, strong, dominant boys who will win balls and play a more physical style for us. The leadership with Brandon, and the cohesiveness of Zaher, David, and the senior leadership in Kurt should hopefully keep us from conceding as many goals as we did last year.”
Midfield
The midfield offers a trio of players who bring qualities to the pitch in Matt Seinfeld, Brian Harding and Kip Zechman. Seinfeld, who missed a majority of the season last year due to injury, is finally back to form. Harding, a senior who has been a solid contributor in the midfield for three seasons and was the teams leading scorer a year ago with seven points, also returns. Zechman played in 16 games last year, 13 as a reserve and logged 566 minutes.
“I am very excited for the central midfielders that we have in Seinfeld, Harding and Zechman. Each bring different aspects to the game. Kip brings composure, Matt brings great skill on the ball, composure, and the ability to score some goals for us, and with Harding, you'll see someone who is physically and technically be able to dominate with skill as well as work rate,” Rose added.
What the central midfielders have in skill, the outside midfielders will match in pace as well as balance. In that group is junior Ayao Sossou, who was the lone selection to the All-Big South squad as he was named to the second-team for the first time in his career. Zimmerman, a team co-captain, along with the afore mentioned Rochow and Stewart Wilkinson will “bring great depth in the attack and good balance on the defensive end,” according to Rose.
Forwards
For a team that scored only 10 goals a year ago, where the offensive punch will come from is a valid question. Senior co-captain Sonny Landry, along with classmate Zach Morgan will bring experience, while junior Amir Shihata, who is fit to form, will be looked upon for a reliable scoring punch.
“This is going to be one of the most experienced attacking units we have had in awhile, as we bring guys back like Morgan, Shihata, and Landry. I am hoping that they are going to score goals for us, and also help our team develop in attacking situations,” said Rose.
Additionally, junior Jacob MacIntyre, who played in 16 games with four starting nods a year ago, will get a good look and is “strong in the air,” while freshman Chase Barnett has been impressive finding the back of the net in preseason training.
Coaching Staff
Joining Rose on the sideline for his initial season will be assistant coach Tony Conway '01, who will assist with the goalkeepers as well as all other facets of the program.
“Coach Conway is an extremely valuable member of the coaching staff and soccer program as a whole,” said Rose of his top assistant. “He brings game experience from his playing career in England, and not long ago, here at VMI.”
Rose is even more excited about the fact of having a VMI alum on his staff to guide him through situations that VMI can produce.
“His knowledge of the Corps and his success of being a student-athlete at VMI have already proven to be priceless. Having someone to help manage the cadets and help balance academics, soccer and the Corps, and having someone who understands these demands can help players balance their responsibilities,” said Rose.
“I have always believed that how the head and assistant coach work together determines the success of the coaching staff, which adds to the harmony of the team. Tony is great to work with and always has the bests interests of the players and program on his mind.”
A former player, Daniel Welsh '10, will also be on staff this season as a volunteer assistant coach after concluding his playing career last year.
Schedule
The 2010 slate begins with a pair of out of conference matchups, beginning on Thursday, Sept. 2 in Baltimore against UMBC. Two days later, the Keydets will make the trip to Annapolis to take on Navy on Sept. 7.
“To open up the season by coming to Maryland and face UMBC, as well as face Navy in their tournament,” said Rose of the early-season portion of the schedule. “Playing another service academy team is nice because the players feel like it is more of a level playing field, and they know that the players on the opposite side of the ball are facing similar challenges.”
Of the 16 opponents the Keydets will face this season, the teams compiled a winning record of 133-125-39. Nine of the teams also had winning records.
“Anytime in Division I, you'll never get an easy schedule,” said Rose of this season's slate. “Teams we play have lots of skill and good depth which makes for tough matches, but that is what we like. We can compete with all of these teams, and I would like to think we can have success with the schedule we have. The Sculley Tournament is something that we are proud to continue, something we want to continue, to honor the man that started up the entire program. Liberty will be here once again, and are always a tough team, Marshall has improved very much in the past two years, and St. Francis comes back after last year pretty much dominating the tournament.”
In the 2010 Big South preseason poll, the Keydets were tabbed to finish ninth in the conference. Despite the unfavorable ranking in the poll, coach Rose remains cautiously optimistic.
“The game isn't played on paper. The preseason polls are based on what we did last year, and the year before that, but everyone can have a good year. We have been competitive, I think now with the experience and quality that we have, this will be one of the first years that we don't have to start freshmen. I think this year we can achieve higher than we have in the past. It is about time for us to come into the conference and put our foot down.”
