2021 Men's soccer preview

Bryn Athyn Men's soccer is on tap to start this week, as the Lions are set to host Albright College (Pa.) in a Wednesday evening home match at 5:30 PM at General Nelson Field. The 2021 season will be the first time the Lions are back on the pitch after the pandemic canceled the 2020 season. There are many familiar faces and a handful of fresh faces that bring optimism to the program. 

The Lions are set to play a full schedule for the 2021 season, and look build on a 2019 year. 
 
In 2019, Bryn Athyn posted a 1-15 overall record while starting a freshmen heavy lineup. The Lions lost five games by one goal and sixth game by two goals. Youth played a factor, but with 18 returners back from that roster, the future is bright. 

The Coach Says: "Two years ago we brought in 13 freshmen to re-energize the program. We started the most freshmen in the CSAC in 2019," Coach Bill O'Neill said. "We competed in many of our contests and left some games on the table. We targeted our 2021 as the year to make history by making the conference play offs and competing for a CSAC title. We lost a year of growth with last years cancellation. So it will be vital for us to use our non conference games as opportunities to grow and come together for the CSAC games. The last 3 years we have had very strong recruiting classes so our expectations are high as we start the season on September 1st."

Head Coach: Bill O'Neill (5th season)
Assistant Coaches: Andrew Weyershaueser, George Tittelmayer (Goalkeeper Coach), Kevin MacFarland (Volunteer Assistant)
 
Returners
Seniors: Michael Haas (GK, 2.66 GAA, 51 saves) Brandon Cruz (F)
Juniors: Owen Ovecka (M, 3 G, 1 A, 7 P), Ryan Ovecka (M, 1 G, 3 A, 5 P), Joe Nugent (D, 2 G), Aaron Clark (D, 1 G, 1 A, 3 P), Christian Smith (F, 1 G, 1 A, 3 P), Andre Fisher (F, 1 G, 2 P), Justin Delgado (M, 1 A, 1 P), Tim Ragan (M), Cevin Spencer (D), Joey O'Neill (M), Leo Pineda (D), Will Timberlake (D)
 
New Players
Sophomores: Mike Carmody (M), Vincent Buccafuri (D)*, AJ Falgiatore (D)*
Freshmen: Marco Vansteenwyk (GK), Miguel Martins (D), Jacob Glenn (F), Kyle Bovitt (D), Justin Lykunov (F), Trevor Rush (GK), Enrico Romano (F)
 
Losses to Graduation / Did Not Return
Matheus Chaves (F, Graduation), Dawson Broomhead (M, Graduation), Jacob Wolf (M), Tom Sweeney (F), Jaheim Garrison (D), Noah Hernandez Peralta (F), DJ Eldridge (GK)

* - Players who will be making their first appearance for the Lions due to Covid-19 pandemic
 
Program Notes
-Through six seasons of play as a NCAA Division III member, Bryn Athyn has an overall record of 25-72-2
-The Lions are looking to capture their first playoff berth in program history
-The Lions were picked to finish 7th in the CSAC preseason poll 
- Bryn Athyn return 18 players from the 2020 roster
- September 1, 2021 will be the first sime the Lions have competed since October 2019 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Three Questions for the 2021 Season
1. The Lions put together a tough non-conference schedule to prepare them for CSAC play, how will the team fare? There are lots of new faces to mesh with many old faces, how will the team mesh together after being on the field for the first time in almost two years?

2.  With 18 returners from the 1-15 team, how much growth have they had in the last 20 months? 

3. In 2019, the Lions were the youngest team in the CSAC, now junior heavy, can Bryn Athyn turn the six games they lost by two goals or less into positive results? 

2021 Links
Schedule
Roster
2019 Stats
Where to Watch Bryn Athyn Soccer (unavailable)
Where to Follow Bryn Athyn Soccer
2021 Fan Attendance Policy (unavailable)