Men’s Soccer Kicks Off 2013 Season in California

 

Ryan Rossi Memorial Tournament Central

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ALBANY, N.Y. – University at Albany men’s soccer will begin its 2013 season at the Ryan Rossi Memorial Tournament in Northridge, Calif., against Cal State Northridge and Cal State Fullerton this weekend.

“Preseason has been really good for us so far. Where we are now is a whole lot different from where we were the first day we came in,” said head coach Trevor Gorman. “The guys are buying in…I think as we continue to learn how to play together and integrate the new parts we’ll see even more improvements along the way.”

The Great Danes are coming off an America East tournament first round appearance in 2012, falling to New Hampshire on penalty kicks. Gorman & co. made their second consecutive appearance in the league tournament after going 6-11 overall and 3-4 in conference play. Gorman’s 2013 squad was predicted to finish sixth in the league preseason poll released on Aug. 21.

UAlbany returns an experienced back line, including captains Thomas Manz, Dominic McGarr and Chris Nisser. The Great Danes welcome back nine starters from 2012 and their top four goal-scorers from last season in Brandon Wilson, Pomare Te Anau, Philip Persson and Anthony Rozzano.

The Great Danes will be making a trip to California for the first time since the 2010 season and will face both Northridge and Fullerton for the first time in program history.

SCOUTING CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE

UAlbany meets Cal State Northridge in the first game beginning at 10:30 p.m. ET on Friday. The Matadors, out of the Big West Conference, were picked to win the league’s South Division, and received three votes in the NSCAA Preseason Coaches Poll. Northridge won the 2012 Big West championship and lost to San Diego in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The Matadors return six starters and 14 letterwinners from last year’s NCAA-qualifying team, including the Big West’s assist leader Carlos Benavides and All-Big West First Team selection Edwin Rivas.

SCOUTING CAL STATE FULLERTON

The Great Danes face Cal State Fullerton at 5:00 p.m. ET on Sunday. Also out of the Big West, the Titans finished second in the South Division after going 4-5-1 in league play. Fullerton returns six starters and 13 letterwinners while welcoming 16 newcomers. Junior midfielder Ian Ramos is the top returner on offense, recording six goals and six assists in 2012.