Men's Soccer Preview, Part 5: Cleveland State

Aug. 24, 2007

For most teams, being the most-improved team in the country would be enough. However, head coach Ali Kazemaini and the Vikings aren't stopping there in their quest toward national prominence.

After an 0-17-1 season in 2005, Kazemaini took the reins, added 12 freshmen to the roster in his first year and CSU jumped to 6-10-2. The 6.5-game improvement was matched only by Evansville.

The push to take the program to the next level is now even stronger. Fifteen players return, including 10 who started 12 or more matches, along with a 10-man recruiting class that includes four transfers and six Ohio high school standouts.

The 2007 Vikings are a young group, with 18 freshmen and sophomores on the roster. But with the wealth of experienced players returning, a sure sign that not only is Cleveland State in a good place for this season, but the future is indeed bright.

Goalkeepers
Similarly to last year, CSU enters the season with several players vying for the starting goalkeeper position.

Competing to secure that assignment will be sophomores Dan Duric and Anthony DeMarco and freshman Nick Harpel.

Duric started four matches last season, posting a 0-2-1 mark with one shutout while DeMarco returns to the program after sitting out the 2006 season. He led the Horizon League with 105 saves in 2005.

The wild card at the position will be Harpel, an athletic 6-foot-3 newcomer who was named Northwest Ohio Player of the Year as a senior at St. John's Toledo.

"The goalkeeper position is definitely up for grabs," Kazemaini said. "We're looking for anyone to step up. Nick is a very good player and Dan had a great spring for us. With Anthony in the mix as well, we have several quality keepers."

Defenders
The defense corps is one of the team's strongest points. Four players who started 11 matches last season return, led by senior Tom Sadd and sophomores Mitch Boyer, Anthony Baraldi, Eric Tattersall, and Mike Barton.

"We have a lot of talent on defense. So everyone is back in the shuffle in regards to playing time," Kazemaini said. "And that's a good thing."

Sadd, a co-captain last year, battled various injuries throughout the season to anchor the defensive efforts. An academic all-league pick, he will be a team leader once again this season. Boyer, who was the only Viking to play every minute last season, is one of the team's most important pieces. He has a strong leg for free kicks and will be counted on as a stopper on the back line. Baraldi started 17 contests last season and is one of the top defenders while Tattersall, who made 12 starts last year, is also in the mix for a starting position.

Talented freshman Audric Kilroy, a third team all-state selection from Independance High School, is expected to step in and compete for significant playing time immediately. Junior Steve Trapp, CSU's second leading scorer in 2005, moves to the backline after sitting out the 2006 season and will also compete for playing time. Junior K.C. Bockmiller is another experienced player returning on defense for the Vikings.

A newcomer to watch on the defensive side is freshman Justin Orr, who comes to CSU after being one of the top high school players in the Columbus area.

Midfielders
The Viking midfield is perhaps the team's deepest area, therefore competition for playing time will be fierce. Three starters and two others with significant experience return in addition to four talented newcomers.

Sophomore Josh Williams, a Horizon League All-Newcomer Team member last year, returns after starting 18 matches in his rookie season.

Another pair of sophomores, Bryan Henson and Kevin Malone will be among the players competing for starting spots in the midfield. Henson, one of the team's most physical and aggressive players, scored three goals last season, while transfer Malone (Rutgers) is a very fit, smart player who will play in the back or midfield.

Junior Roshard Gilbert also add experience to the midfield corps. Gilbert, one of the fastest and most athletic players on the team, returns after sitting out the 2006 season. He started 17 matches and scored two goals in 2005. Rosati was a solid contributor last year, seeing time in 17 matches.

Two freshmen and two transfers will also be counted on to contribute, as freshmen Nick Yeager and Korey Smerk join Jordan Zapotechne and Johnny Wallace in the Viking midfield. Yeager looks to be a promising additon to the team after leading Fairfield HS to the state finals last season.

Forwards
The Vikings have several impact players on the front line, led by Second-Team All-Horizon League performer sophomore George Kephart.

The Parma, Ohio native led the team in shots (42) and tied for the team lead with 12 points (five goals, two assists) last year and was also named to the league's all-newcomer squad.

Kephart's running mate is junior Nenad Stojkovic, who scored 10 points last year (three goals, four assists) and was the team's leading scorer as a freshman in 2005. Sophomore Marco DiFranco also returns after starting seven matches at the forward spot last year.

Two newcomers to watch are junior transfer Brent Long and freshman Jeff Baker. Both are speedy, talented players who will compete for playing time. Wallace and Zapotechne are also expected to see time at forward.

The Schedule
With all of the changes Kazemaini has brought in his short time at Cleveland State, the schedule is no different. CSU's 18-match slate includes a trip to Las Vegas and the second contest against an ACC opponent in school history. Three 2006 NCAA Tournament participants, UIC, Loyola and Duke, highlight the schedule.

"We're still a pretty young team, but we feel like we have a lot more depth this year compared to last," Kazemaini said. "With that said, we're trying to season our players with a tough schedule so they can continue to contribute for the next couple of years."

After opening the season at home versus St. Bonaventure, the Vikings will go on the road for five straight contests, including a trip to Kentucky before going to Las Vegas in mid-September.

Notre Dame (Ohio) and Horizon League foes UIC, Loyola, Butler and Detroit will come to Krenzler Field this year, while CSU will travel to non-conference foes Niagara, Western Michigan, Duquesne and Canisius. League road games include, UW-Milwaukee, UW-Green Bay, Wright State and the league's newest member, Valparaiso.

All nine Horizon League teams will battle for the league's automatic NCAA Tournament berth, beginning on November 9 at campus sites. The second round is slated for November 11 before the highest remaining seed hosts the final four teams for the semifinals on November 16 and the championship match on November 18.

Story provided by Cleveland State Office of Sports Information