Aug. 21, 2008
The 2008 Georgetown University men's soccer team will look to build the momentum it gained near the end of the 2007 season. With a roster consisting of 16 freshmen and sophomores, the Hoyas closed the 2007 regular season with a 4-1-1 record and qualified for the BIG EAST Tournament after a one-year hiatus in 2006.
In 2008, third-year head coach Brian Wiese returns 10 starters from an established late season lineup including all of their scoring output, the entire fullback corps and a goalkeeper. A total of 19 letterwinners return and Georgetown's coaching staff will welcome four highly-touted freshmen.
Despite starting at least six freshmen over the final seven games of the season, the Blue and Gray netted nine goals during the stretch to reach the BIG EAST Tournament.
Georgetown loses just one forward in last season's co-captain Mike Glaccum but returns a host of upperclassmen and 100% of its point production from the 2007 season.
Seniors, co-captain Sean Bellomy and Peter Grasso lead an experienced group that also includes junior Justin Kondos, sophomores Jose Colchao, Chandler Diggs and Tom St. George. The Hoyas will also welcome newcomer Uche Onyeador into the fold to compete for minutes.
Diggs led the team with nine points last season (3 G, 3 A) while posting a goal and an assist against BIG EAST opponents. He also recorded a four-game point-scoring streak in mid-October.
Bellomy ranked second on the squad with a total of eight points and netted both of the Hoya goals against Pittsburgh. He also dished out assists in wins over Marshall and at Marquette.
Grasso has started in almost half of the 43 games he has appeared in during his career.
Onyeador, a local product from Potomac Falls, set the state of Virginia's high school scoring mark with 127 goals and should help boost the Hoyas' goal production in 2008.
In the midfield, Coach Wiese has the luxury of looking to the experience of seniors Hunter Joslin and Corey Zeller to lead the midfield unit along with junior Scott Larrabee. Young but experienced sophomores Robert Burnett and Seth C'deBaca will look to keep a hold of their starting roles while acclimating newcomer David Madison into the team.
Joslin started in four of the 10 games he played in and is a speedy wing player who adds bite to the midfield unit.
Zeller started in all but one game at center midfield last season, scoring both of Georgetown's goals in its win over Providence.
Larrabee has started in 23 consecutive games dating back to 2006 and contributed two goals and an assist last year including the game-winner at Louisville.
Burnett and C'deBaca both had terrific freshmen seasons. Burnett earned the Team MVP award, as voted on by his teammates, after starting in all 19 games and is already emerging as one of the best holding midfielders in the league. C'deBaca cracked the starting lineup in mid-October and totaled seven starts. He recorded an assist on the game-winning goal at Seton Hall while becoming one of the Hoyas most dangerous and unpredictable players.
Madison has a natural goal scoring instinct that might serve him well as a forward in the future but will likely have to use his play-making talents in the midfield early on in his Georgetown career. He came through the Georgetown Elite Camp, so he has experience with the Hoya system.
The back line of defenders is young but experienced and anchors what is probably the team's deepest position.
Prior to the BIG EAST Tournament, the Blue and Gray defense yielded just 18 goals, a goals-against-average of 0.98. It marked the program's second fewest goals allowed since the inception of BIG EAST play. GU allowed 15 goals over 20 games during the 1988 season.
Senior Richard Diaz returns for a fifth season after missing games in 2006 and 2007 with knee injuries. Juniors Len Coleman and co-captain Mark Zeman return this season alongside sophomores Mostafa Ebrahimnejad, Ibu Otegbeye, Ben Slingerland and Alex Verdi. The Hoyas also welcome freshman Brandon Pfluger into the center of the defense after he joined the team this past spring.
Diaz returns after battling knee injuries over his career. Despite playing in just five games last season, he earned the team's Ricardo Mendoza Coaches Award for his spirit and determination.
Colemen earned All-BIG EAST Third Team honors in 2007. He started in 18 games last season and used his physical and vocal style to make a name for himself league-wide.
Ebrahimnejad and Zeman became constants at fullback. Zeman is a tough competitor who can use both feet effectively while Ebrahimnejad was as good as advertised coming out of high school. Ebrahimnejad started in every game as a freshman and showed he has a lethal left foot.
Pangraze and Verdi split time at the center back position. Pangraze started in 11 of the 14 games he appeared in playing with poise and maturity. Verdi started in the team's final seven games and earned the team's Most Improved Player Award.
Otegbeye used his fiery and energetic style to earn time at right back in 14 games. Otegbeye, who dished out two assists, became known for making aggressive overlapping runs that led to dangerous service into the penalty area.
Pfluger has the potential to become one of the best defenders in the league and gives Georgetown another physical presence in the back line.
A trio of young goalkeepers gives Georgetown several great options for the 2008 campaign.
Sophomore Matthew Brutto is the only returning goalkeeper with game experience. Brutto started in nine games last season including seven BIG EAST regular-season games and the BIG EAST Tournament match at USF. Brutto posted a 5-4 record with three shutouts against Louisville, Providence and Pittsburgh.
Mark Wilber red-shirted last season but had a terrific spring season and will push Brutto for minutes.
Freshman Erik Garciamendez is another prospect who attended the Georgetown Elite Camp and stood out among a talented group of goalies. An agile shot stopper with great feet, Garciamendez will provide the Hoyas with more depth at the goaltending position
High expectations surrounding the Hoyas in 2008 and a rigorous schedule will be sure to test the squad throughout the year. Georgetown has a healthy mix of young and experienced talent that has its sights set on the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 1997.
Georgetown hosts George Mason in the Hoyas' final exhibition on Sunday, August 24 at 5:30 p.m. on North Kehoe Field.
