High expectations for Adelphi

With 13 victories in 19 games, Adelphi’s men’s soccer program soared to new heights in 2009 and captured the Atlantic Conference regular-season and tournament championships.

With eight starters and 23 lettermen returning, the Panthers (13-2-4) are stocked with talent, experience and high expectations.

“We’re hoping last year’s success carries over,” fourth-year coach Carlo Acquista said. “The team is fit and strong, and working hard.”

Adelphi outscored opponents by a 35-15 margin a year ago, thanks in large part to forward Issa Tall. A native of France, Tall popped in 16 goals on 29 shots as a freshman. “He’s quick and mobile, and he brings a great attitude to the team,” Acquista said. “We expect him to get a lot more attention now that he’s on the map, not just locally but nationally. But he’s difficult to mark.”

Another sophomore, Brandon Stoneham, starts up front with Tall. Stoneham had two goals and three assists a year ago. Senior midfielders John Koutsounadis and Michael Aquino will chip in offensively along with junior Tom Shaw, a newcomer with tremendous passing ability.

“We’ve talked about balance as much as possible,” Acquista said. “Issa’s our main weapon, but we’re looking for others to step up and score goals.”

On the defensive side, the Panthers bring back senior goalkeeper Thorne Holder and backup Kyle Blackmer, a junior. Holder posted an .839 save percentage and five shutouts in 2009. Senior Alex Kouznetsov and juniors Mauricio Mora and Dan Larenius comprise the starting defensive unit.  

Adelphi, which hasn’t lost a home game in back-to-back seasons, going 14-0-2 at Motamed Field, begins a string of four straight home contests this Saturday at 7 p.m. against Syracuse. After the homestand concludes, the Panthers will play nine in a row on the road before returning to their Garden City campus to host New Jersey Institute of Technology on Oct. 30.

Lady Panthers full of potential  

Adelphi’s women’s soccer coach Rich Ilsley saw six starters graduate from a team that finished 10-5-3 overall and fifth in the Northeast 10.

“We had a nice season against tough competition,”  said Ilsley, who begins his 20th year at the helm this Saturday when the Lady Panthers travel to Philadelphia at noon. “We have some positions to sort out,” he added. “We’re going to be younger, and only time will tell if we can become as deep as last year.”

Senior Brianne McDonnell, the team’s leading scorer in 2009 with six goals and seven assists, is moving from the forward line to midfield where Ilsley hopes the ball will find her feet frequently. “Brianne has grown into a better player each year,” he said.

There is still plenty of experience and talent up front with seniors Emily Dunne (five goals) and Kim Volinski (three goals, three assists).

Opponents had a tough time cracking Adelphi’s defense a year ago, scoring just 16 goals, and that could be the case again this fall. Junior Dorothy Connolly enters her third season as the starting goalkeeper. She played all but 56 minutes last year and totaled 68 saves. “Dorothy’s a solid, dependable keeper,” Ilsley said.

Senior Kristen Dexter and sophomore Chali Beard return to lead a defense bolstered by junior transfer Lauren Lucas (Cincinnati), a player Ilsley recruited out of St. Anthony’s High School.

Only seven of Adelphi’s 16 regular-season games will be played at home, with the first set for Sept. 12 against Stonehill at noon.

“The key is getting everyone to mesh,” Ilsley said.