Fall Sports Preview: Stony Brook Football, Soccer Poised for Potential Breakthroughs

Weeks of two-a-days and grueling training camps have readied Stony Brook athletes for the upcoming season. This fall has the potential to be a special one for Stony Brook: football and both soccer teams were picked to finish second in preseason coaches' conference polls. Here's your guide to the upcoming season.

Football
2009 record: 6-5 (5-1)

Roster turnover is a big story for the Seawolves, who graduated nearly two thirds of their starters from last year, including the school's career leading rusher Conte Cuttino.

"I think as an overall team our young guys have learned from last year," Coach Chuck Priore said. "Our work ethic is good. Our attention to detail is good."

But the even bigger story is the combination of four Hansen Award winners playing together on the same team: Miguel Maysonet, JeVahn Cruz, Edwin Gowins, and Brock Jackolski.

Gowins, about to start his junior year, is already fourth on Stony Brook's career rushing list with 2,200 yards. How much of the load Gowins can carry without Cuttino splitting the carries will help determine the team's success.

Maysonet and Jackolski, who transferred when Hofstra shut down its football program earlier this year, are also expected to be immediate contributors.

"They really represent who we are and what we want to do," Priore said.

The schedule will also play a large role in the Seawolves' performance. In 2009 the team's lone conference loss was a three point overtime decision, yet they only went 1-4 outside of the Big South.

This season is bookended by two difficult games. Week one on the road pits the Seawolves against the University of Southern Florida, their first game against an FBS opponent. Win or lose, how they respond after the USF game will show the character of this team. The season will end with a game against Liberty, picked to win the conference in the preseason coaches' poll.

Key games: 9/4 @ South Florida; 11/20 @ Liberty

Men's Soccer
2009 record: 6-10-4 (4-2-1); lost in first round of NCAA tournament.

Coming off its second appearance in the NCAA tournament, the team went on a training mission to Ecuador to prepare for the upcoming season. The team is returning eight starters and seventeen letter winners and is poised for a breakout.  After a rough start in 2009, the team rallied to go 5-0-2 to end the season.

Coach Cesar Markovic believes that experience is what will drive this team.

"It's freshman becoming sophomores," he said. "We didn't get off to a good start [in 2009] because we had a new team. Once they played and got experience they became a team."

Markovic also thinks its defense will be the component that decides the outcome.

"We have to defend well from the beginning," he said. "We have a good offense so we have to contain."

The team placed second in the preseason conference coaches' poll, falling just one point behind Boston University, who the Seawolves play at home this year.  This young team has a chance to stay together for long time, as 18 of the 26 roster players are freshmen or sophomores.  

Key games:  9/24 vs. Harvard; 10/2 vs. Boston University

Women's Soccer
2009 record: 7-10-2 (5-2-1), lost in semifinals of America East Conference tournament.

After three straight appearances in the semifinals of the conference tournament, the Seawolves believe 2010 is the year they'll break through. The team lost only two starters from last year's squad.

"The goal is to win the conference," coach Sue Ryan said. "We have a good mix of returning players, a good mix of experience and new players. [We have] more depth than we've ever had before."

One key player who looks to benefit from the experience is Sa'sha Kershaw. The midfielder lead the team in points (14) and tied for first in goals (6) as a freshman in 2009.

Winning the conference won't be easy.

"Every conference game is a big game," Ryan said. "There's no gimme games, every one is a battle. We have a lot to work with."

Key games: 9/5 @ Maryland; 10/3 @ Boston University

Women's Volleyball
2009 record: 13-13 (5-5)

After barely missing out on the conference tournament due to a tie-breaker, the Seawolves had a terrific off-season. Masa Balandzic, Hailee Herc, Kaitlin Costello and Evann Slaughter have all signed on to the team this season.  

Seniors Ashley Headen and Jeanette Gibbs will provide experience on a roster that abounds with fresh faces. Last season the team lead the America East Conference in digs, and finished second in service aces, assists, and hitting percentage.

Picked fifth in the preseason coaches' conference poll, the team is going to have to score some upsets to make fourth place and earn a spot in the conference tournament.

Key games: 10/15 vs. Albany; 11/12 @ Binghamton

Cross Country

The Van Dalen sisters, Holly and Lucy, look to build on their success during their senior season. Last year Holly Van Dalen finished second at the conference meet while Lucy Van Dalen took third and won the ECAC championship title, the first Stony Brook female to win it since 2002. Both were named to the conference All-Academic team.

With the graduation of Alex Felce, the men will turn to senior Tim Hodge to carry the team. Hodge finished sixth in last year's conference championship, the only Seawolf in the top 25 that hasn't yet graduated.

Key meets: 9/4 Stony Brook Season Opener; 11/13 NCAA Regional Championships @ Madison, Connecticut.

Ten Athletes to Watch
1. Edwin Gowins, Junior, Football, RB
2. Sa'sha Kershaw, Sophomore, Soccer, midfielder
3. Leonardo Fernanades, Sophomore, Soccer, midfieler
4. Berian Gobeil, Sophomore, Soccer, forward
5. Lucy Van Dalen, Senior, Cross Country
6. Colleen McKenna, Junior, Soccer, midfield
7. Holly Van Dalen, Senior, Cross Country
8. Michael Coulter, Junior, Football, QB
9. Tim Hodge, Senior, Cross Country
10. Wilber Bonilla, Junior, Soccer, midfield