Seton Hall MSOC Ninth in Big East Preseason Coaches’ Poll, Geiler recognized

Date: August 19, 2014

By John Fanta, Assistant Sports Director

Gerson Echeverry's Seton Hall men's soccer team was selected to finish ninth in the ten-team Big East, the league office announced on Tuesday. The Hall comes off its winningest season since 2007, finishing at 7-9-2. The Pirates were represented on the All-Big East Preseason Team by their leading returning scorer, Sam Geiler.

The sophomore tallied eight goals on the 2013 season, two of which came in Big East play. Geiler is expected to take his game to the next level after a stellar rookie year. "Now, opposing defenses know about him," Echeverry told WSOU in June. "Sam (Geiler) is going to have to step up even more. He's not just the first-year guy anymore. He has to serve as more of a leader as well."

While The Hall was able to rank in the top six of the league with 1.50 goals per game last season, it's the defensive side of the ball that the blue and white will hinge on to work their way into a Big East Tournament berth. The Pirates allowed over two goals per game last season, the only team in the league to do so. Senior center back Mateusz Brela, a captain for a third straight season for SHU, along with junior Julian Kennedy, will anchor the defense. Kennedy finished with a team-high 1,666 minutes last season. At outside back, it appears that Echeverry found something with Jason Wellington. The senior started 10 games to end last season at that position, emerging as a player that showed potential.Shawn Morrison, who started 11 games at outside back in 2013, is a rising sophomore that will be trying to show more consistent play this fall.

If the Pirates' attack is going to find more balance throughout this season, Geiler will need some assistance. Echeverry likes what he's seen from senior Bolu Akinyode. "His leadership has emerged," Echeverry said. "We really like what he has to offer this season and he's a key piece in helping our young players along the way." Akinyode scored a goal along with two assists last season while starting 17 games at midfield. At outside mid, Kai Greene tallied two goals and six points last season and is another player expected to deliver more throughout the season.

"I believe the talent is present for us to succeed," Echeverry said. "But it's up to the players to rise to the occasion and our level of in-game focus will determine the success that we have. Our road record must improve. That's a huge factor." The Pirates finished with just one win away from home last season.

A big factor from 2013 that this year's team will try to resolve is communication inside the box with goalkeeper Julian Spindler. The German had a tough freshman season, giving up goals due to miscommunications, but showed sparks at times for The Hall while starting in the back of the net for all but 154 minutes.

As for the rest of the poll, Georgetown and Marquette were neck-and-neck at the top, with the Hoyas pulling out five first-place votes to take No. 1. The Hoyas were ranked ninth in the NSCAA Continental Top 25, and Marquette was not far behind at 12^th. Just as the Hoyas and Golden Eagles were tight at the top, the two shared many of the preseason player honors as well.

The Big East Preseason Coaches' Poll and Team, as first released on BigEast.com:

2014 Preseason Coaches' Poll
Georgetown – 75 points (5 first-place votes)
Marquette – 75 (4)
Creighton – 63 (1)
St. John's – 54
Providence – 48
Butler – 43
Xavier – 38
Villanova – 23
Seton Hall – 19
DePaul – 12

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year – Brandon Allen, Georgetown, Jr., F
Preseason Defensive Player of the Year – Axel Sjöberg, Marquette, R-Jr., D
Preseason Goalkeeper of the Year – Tomas Gomez, Georgetown, Sr.

Preseason All-BIG EAST *
Brandon Allen, Georgetown, Jr., F ^
Louis Bennett II, Marquette, So., M
Samuel Geiler, Seton Hall, So., M
David Goldsmith, Butler, So., F
Tomas Gomez, Georgetown, Sr., GK
Julian Gressel, Providence, So., F
Alex Muyl, Georgetown, So., F
C. Nortey, Marquette, R-Jr., F ^
Tim Parker, St. John's, Sr., D ^
Timo Pitter, Creighton, Jr., M
Jose Ribas, Creighton, Sr., D
Axel Sjöberg, Marquette, R-Jr., D ^
Zach Steinberger, Butler, Sr., M
Will Walker, Xavier, R-Sr., M
Joshua Yaro, Georgetown, So., D

* - Five forwards and five midfielders because of ties in the voting
^ - unanimous selection

The Pirates will host Rider on Tuesday at Owen T. Carroll Field in preseason action. Bloomfield comes into South Orange on Saturday for the second and final exhibition game before The Hall visits Rhode Island in its opener on Friday, Aug. 29. The schedule features eight NCAA Tournament teams from a year ago. Four out of the final five matches for SHU will be against conference opponents that appeared in the Big Dance last year.

For complete coverage of Seton Hall Soccer throughout the season, 89.5 WSOU will have all home broadcasts and local road games as well. The radio home of Seton Hall will begin season coverage with Saturday's exhibition game against Bloomfield.

To reach John Fanta, e-mail john.fanta@student.shu.edu or tweet @John_Fanta and @WSOUSports

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