La Plume, PA (8-31-01) – After posting just three victories last season, including only one decision in the win column in conference play, Keystone College head men’s soccer coach Chad Prince is optimistic about this season’s team.
In addition to adding 10 new faces to the program, the Giants return their top four scorers from last year, a quartet that totaled 22 goals and 10 assists.
By adding 10 new players to his roster for this fall season, the Keystone men’s team will be young, but coach Prince believes this incoming class will build Keystone's program into a consistent CSAC playoff team.
“Our men’s program is well on its way to once again establishing itself as a quality program,” stated Coach Prince.
The Giants will be looking to their senior trio of Scott Bensinger, Alex Boirand and Jamie Ellis for offense and leadership. The trio tied for the team lead in goals scored last year by netting six each, while Bensinger also led the team in assists with four. The English connection of Boirand and Ellis added two and one assists respectively.
Sophomore Ryan Ehrhardt showed last season that he has the ability to play at the collegiate level, converting four goals and assisting on two others in his first year.
While the coaching is staff is excited about the new crop of players, four newcomers have stood out in the early going, Dany O’Rourke, Michael Wells, Dyer Moore and Justin Turano.
"The freshman class overall shows great promise in building our program. I'm excited to watch them develop as players and as young men. They compliment our returning players very well and already bring a dimension of competitiveness and leadership to our program that will bring us to a different level as a program,” explained Coach Prince.
The team has added a third player from the British Isles with the addition of O’Rourke. The Dublin, Ireland native will patrol the net for the Giants.
"Dany will provide a huge presence in the net for us this season. He's athletic, vocal, and his personality on and off the field earns him a great deal of respect from the players,” remarked Coach Prince.
Wells and Moore will be counted on to provide a spark to the offense in helping take some of the scoring
pressure off of the returnees. "Michael gives us a great option on the left flank. He's quick with and without the ball, serves a great ball and brings great maturity to the team as a freshman. I feel like we've really added a missing piece to our program in Dyer. He has a great understanding of the game as a central forward, and will give us a much needed advantage in the air with his height."
The coaching staff sees another potential offensive threat in Turano. "Justin brings an amazing energy and work ethic to this program. He's very good with the ball at his feet and will develop into a dangerous attacking player on the outside."
Keystone opens its season on September 4 and 5 at Drew University. The Giants will take on College of Staten Island at 5pm on Saturday and then play the host school on Sunday at 4pm.
The team’s home opener will be September 8 at 3:30pm when they welcome Mount Saint Mary College to campus.