August 28, 2014

Greyhounds Looking to Keep an Upward Trend

BETHLEHEM, Pa.--- The Moravian College men's soccer team is confident going into the North County Lotto Classic this weekend.

Bethlehem, Pa.---The Moravian College men's soccer team looked to change the culture of their team last season, they took their 5-11-1 campaign from 2012 and turned it into a 7-9-2 overall season in 2013. Looking to build upon the energy and intensity from a year ago, Head Coach Todd Ervin wanted to improve and improve he did.

Ervin who begins his sixth season with the Greyhounds is looking forward to an exciting season. "We are looking to win as many games as possible and to get into conference playoffs," said Ervin the Greyhounds return 16 to the program, with the addition of eight freshmen and one transfer to the 2014 squad.

"We have a large group of returners this year, so we had a lot to work with this preseason. We have been very pleased with the quality of play the new class has to offer. They give us the depth we lacked last year which gives us the opportunity to move some of the upperclassmen," said Ervin.

Sophomore midfielder Saul Marcial who played in all eighteen games for the Greyhounds last year is going to play an important role this year. He scored seven goals and had three assists that earned him 17 points in 2013.

"Saul is a very talented player. We want him to build off last season's momentum and be very effective in our system. I expect a ton from him in his new roles and responsibilities this season," stated Ervin.

This year finds the Greyhounds in a unique position having three goalkeepers on the roster. Junior captain Brian Boland went 6-9-2 with three shutouts last season, and had 1.77 goals-against average with 90 saves in 1577 minutes played. Bolands 14 saves vs. Scranton ranked him third all-time at Moravian for a single game in 2013 and was named to the inaugural Landmark Conference All-Sportsmanship Team.

"Brian exemplifies the type of leadership we need," commented Ervin. "He is a great on field leader and strong voice in a position of authority and off the field takes on multiple responsibilities on campus to promote a positive outlook for athletics being our Student Athlete Advisory Committee President.

"He knows he has his work cut out for him this year, and he has two teammates that are going to give him a battle for the starting role," said Ervin about sophomore Jimmy Amorebella and freshman Bryan Yaksowski both will be in the hunt for playing time in the goal for the Blue and Grey.

The men's soccer team starts the season off away Saturday, August 29 at 2:00 p.m. against Clarkson University at the North County Lotto Classic.