Men's Soccer 2023 Season Preview

2022 In review

2022 Standings

1. Catholic: 13-4-4 (7-0-0 Landmark)
2. Elizabethtown: 8-6-5 (3-1-3 Landmark)
3. Goucher: 10-4-6 (3-2-2 Landmark)
4. Scranton: 11-7-2 (3-3-1 Landmark)
5. Drew: 12-2-4 (2-2-3 Landmark)
6. Moravian: 5-8-4 (2-2-3 Landmark)
7. Juniata: 8-9-1 (1-5-1 Landmark)
8. Susquehanna: 1-12-3 (0-6-1 Landmark)

2022 Playoffs

• #4 Scranton def #1 Catholic: 1-0
• #2 Elizabethtown def #3 Goucher: 0-0 (2OT) (EC advanced 3-1 PKs)
• #4 Scranton def #2 Elizabethtown: 1-0

The No. 4 seed University of Scranton men's soccer team limited No. 2 seed Elizabethtown to just three shots and used a first-half goal from freshman Gavin Scavino to notch a 1-0 victory over the Blue Jay to clinch the program's third title and first since 2016.

Each of Scranton's previous two titles were also won at Elizabethtown.

Head coach Matt Pivirotto's program was also the second No. 4 seed to win the conference championship and the first since Catholic did so in 2010.

postseason infomation

The top six teams in the conference at the end of the regular season will advance to the 2023 Landmark Conference Men's Soccer Tournament.

The format features two first-round games on October 31, followed by the semifinals (November 2) and championship game on November 4.

Preseason Coaches Poll

The Cardinals, ranked 16th in the preseason rankings according to the United Soccer Coaches organization, and garnered an impressive nine out of the 10 available first-place votes for a total of 81 points. The University of Scranton secured the second spot with 66 points and one first-place vote, while Elizabethtown College was voted third with 62 points.

Lycoming College, making its debut in the Landmark in 2023, emerged as a standout and secured the fourth position with 61 points. Right behind the Warriors was Drew University, who solidified the fifth place vote, accumulating a total of 52 points. Goucher College was secured a sixth-place prediction with 36 points.

Seventh place in the ranking was claimed by Moravian University, garnering a total of 33 points. Juniata College followed suit with 24 points, while Wilkes University closely trailed with 22 points. Susquehanna University s rounds out the poll with 13 points.

Catholic University

• Head Coach: Travis Beauchamp (17th Season)
• 2022 Record: 13-4-4 (7-0-0 Landmark)

Catholic will look to emulate its success of last season that saw Travis Beauchamp’s squad go undefeated (7-0-0) in Landmark Conference play and reach the NCAA Sweet Sixteen for the first time in program history.

The Cardinals return a strong core that includes seven starters from last year. Nearly 65 percent of Catholic’s goal-scoring returns, including second-leading scorer Gordie Bernlohr as well as top assist-man Domenic Caltabiano. The entire starting backline returns as well, headlined by mainstays Owen Maher and Liam Giblin, who contributed to 11 clean sheets last season.

Catholic’s two biggest losses come in the form of All-American attacker Darius Siahpoosh and star goalkeeper Austin Coron. Coach Beauchamp and his staff will look for newcomers to supplement the returning firepower up top. The team will use training as well as early-season matches to see who emerges as the first-choice goalkeeper moving forward.

Catholic will open the season on Labor Day weekend with matches against Shenandoah and nationally-ranked Messiah. With the conference schedule growing by two opponents this year, conference play will come quickly. Keep an eye out for the Sept. 30 match-up against Scranton, in which the Cardinals will be looking to avenge last year’s home semifinal loss to the Royals.

“We are looking forward to the year ahead. Last season was historic for the program, but now it’s time to build on that. We have a strong core of returning players and we are very excited about our newcomers.” - Head Coach, Travis Beauchamp

Drew University

• Head Coach: Lenny Armuth (29th Season)
• 2022 Record: 12-2-4 (2-2-3 Landmark)

Under 30th-year Head Coach Lenny Armuth, the Rangers will feature a highly-experienced roster in 2023.

The squad brings back all but two starters from last year's team that finished 12-2-4, including its top eight point scorers. The team returns a pair of All-Landmark Conference performers in junior midfielder Tino Puentes (4g, 2a) and junior forward Kevin Kiernan (9g, 4a) while senior forward Christian Tyson (9g, 4a) also returns after capturing all-region status. Senior midfielder Matt Agudelo (1g, 6a) is also back and was an All-Landmark Conference selection in 2021.

The Rangers return five additional starters but must replace all-conference goalie Calum Erlenborn.

"With the return of nine starters, including our starting front line, we are excited for the upcoming year and look to improve on our conference record from last season." - Head Coach, Lenny Armuth

Elizabethtown College

• Head Coach: Skip Roderick (40th Season)
• 2022 Record: 8-6-5 (3-1-3 Landmark)

Elizabethtown returns a good chunk of its starting lineup from the 2022 season that saw the Blue Jays advance back to the Landmark Championship.

All-Conference selections Pedro Guizardi and Mehluko Letsoalo are back to establish possession in the midfield while Kelvin Del Cid is also back in goal for Etown.

Thomas Smith, the 2022 Landmark Rookie of the Year, will help anchor the defense.

"After returning to the Landmark Conference Championship game for the sixth time in program history, Elizabethtown College looks to reload for another title run this season. Entering my 39th season of coaching and 40th at Etown, I am looking forward to the new challenge with the addition of Lycoming and Wilkes to the league schedule. My staff and I are hopeful that the challenging non-conference schedule to start the season will prepare the Blue Jays for the always difficult Landmark slate." - Head Coach, Skip Roderick

Juniata College

• Head Coach: Brendan Grady (3rd Season)
• 2022 Record: 8-9-1 (1-5-1 Landmark)

Brendan Grady begins his third season in charge of the Eagles, as the Juniata men’s soccer team looks to follow up on an 8-9-1 2022 season, the program’s best season by winning percentage and total wins since 2013. 2022 saw a sizable uptick in offensive production, as Juniata went from averaging 1.00 goals per game in 2021 to 1.78 goals per game in 2022.

The Eagles’ three biggest goal-scoring contributors return to the squad including sophomore forward Ian Edwards (7 G, 3 A), senior winger Emmet Young (4 G, 2 A), and sophomore winger Gavin Rauhut (3 G, 2 A).

Senior Axel Grater had the primary share of goalkeeping duties last year, posting a .808 save percentage and 1.19 goals against average with two shutouts. In total, 18 players return to the team, while 12 freshmen add further strength and depth for the 2023 campaign.

“I’m excited to get working with the group. Our goal is simple and challenging at the same time. To continue to progress as a program.” -Head Coach, Brendan Grady

Lycoming College

• Head Coach: Nate Gibboney (11th Season)
• 2022 Record: 10-4-7 (6-2-0 MAC)

With all 11 starters returning from a team that went 10-4-7 overall and reached the MAC Freedom Championship game, the Warriors are looking to make a splash when they enter the Landmark Conference in 2023.

Lycoming will be paced by 2022 MAC Freedom Defensive Player of the Year Brayden Wise, a second-team all-region selection, and MAC Freedom Rookie of the Year Keller Chamovitz, a third-team all-region selection.

Senior Kenny Clapp also returns after earning all-region accolades and seniors Dylan Sloan and Joe Bamfo are both two-time all-conference picks.

"We took a step forward in 2022 and I think this group learned how important it was to compete day in and day out. We have a lot of talented players who have developed quite a bit at Lycoming, so I think this team has a high ceiling. However, if we think we’ve already earned anything any time we step on the field, I think the other teams in the Landmark Conference are more than capable of us showing us we haven’t. It’s going to be a grind-it out challenge each game and I am looking forward to it.” - Head Coach, Nate Gibboney

Moravian University

• Head Coach: Bob Wilkinson (5th Season)
• 2022 Record: 5-8-4 (2-2-3 Landmark)

Head Coach Bob Wilkinson welcomes back 21 letterwinners for the 2023 season.

Leading the returnees is the Hounds’ top scorer from 2022 in junior forward Ben Scary as well as senior midfielder Dave Steinbach and junior defender Kyle Weiss, who were selected to the Landmark All-Conference Second Team last fall.

The Greyhounds have a tough non- conference schedule beginning with a season-opening tournament at Washington College (Md.) as the squad looks to challenge for a Landmark Conference Tournament berth this season.

"Our league gets better every year and with the addition of Lycoming and Wilkes it will continue to do so. There is no easy match. Every game is hard fought and the battle for playoff position always goes down to the end of the season. We are looking forward to the 2023 season and to another great year of Landmark Conference Soccer." - Head Coach, Bob Wilkinson

University of Scranton

• Head Coach: Matt Pivirotto (24th Season)
• 2022 Record: 11-7-2 (3-3-1 Landmark)

Led by All-Landmark Second Team selection Ciaran Corr, the defending Landmark Champions bring back an experienced group featuring seven returning starters.

Corr ranked fourth in the conference with 10 goals in 2022 and Scranton also returns seven of their top eight in points from a year agon including junior midfielder Adam Havens who led the team with five assists.

The Royals will open the season on Sept. 1 at Muhlenberg.

“The coaching staff and players are very excited and highly motivated for the 2023 season! It has been a very productive offseason and we are looking forward to taking on the challenges ahead of us! We are also excited to compete against our newest members in the conference as these teams add to the highly competitive nature of the Landmark Conference. It will be another exciting season in the conference.” – Head Coach Matt Pivirotto

Susquehanna University

• Head Coach: Jim Findlay (26th Season)
• 2022 Record: 2-12-3 (0-6-1 Landmark)

After a disappointing result in 2022 with a highly experienced group struggling to meet their typical standard, this season presents an opportunity for a new group to step into leadership roles all at once, with so many seniors having graduated from the squad.

Despite the changeover, many of the players who will be seeing increased roles already have playing experience and were some bright spots among last season’s struggles. Max Paczewski, who enters his junior year, led the team in goals last season and has had a particularly impressive off-season, looking to become an even more dynamic threat in 2023. He is joined by other returning goalscorers like Adrian Dilascio, Calvin Paulick, Owen Healey, Tommy O’Keefe, and Seth Sidle. That group accounts for all but three of last season’s goals.

Another key for the team will be the veteran between the posts, with Gerrit Stech as one of the few seniors on this year’s River Hawks squad. His leadership, both on and off the field, will undoubtedly be a plus, particularly for the new look defense. He is joined by sophomore Tony Burns, who had some impressive outings as a rotational starter in his first collegiate season.

“We have a good mix of returners and new members who are going to make us better. We’re excited to welcome Lycoming and Wilkes and compete in our expanded conference field and see this season as a great opportunity to build chemistry, with most of the team scheduled to return in 2024.” - Head Coach, Jim Findlay

Wilkes University

• Head Coach: Michael Piranian (7th Season)
• 2022 Record: 7-9-3 (4-3-1 MAC)

The 2023 season holds high expectations for the men's soccer team with the coaching staff being confident in the returners and excited for this freshmen class with the belief that there will be some notable contributors that will help raise the team's level of play and some key leaders for the program who emerge.

The team had some tight results that went the wrong way in the non-conference with now Landmark Conference opponents in 2022. Turning those results around will allow the team to have the year they are working hard to achieve. The goal is to be relevant on the national scene, so the team must be more consistently on top of their game in order to make that a reality in 2023.

"I am excited for another year of formidable challenges starting with our non-conference games and continuing into our inaugural year with the Landmark. I believe that we have a good group of returners with significant collegiate experience that we will build around. I was disappointed with how our season fizzled out last year and plan to regain some of our hunger/desire with some new blood, and renewed health." - Head coach, Michael Piranian

Where & How to Watch

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