Rebirth may be too strong of a word for the Clarkson Men’s Soccer program, but revitalization certainly is not. For the past few seasons, the Golden Knights always seemed a little too young or a little too short on talent to make much of a mark in the Liberty League standings. However, with a pair of strong recruiting classes having gained much needed experience over the past two years and an energetic first-year staff in head coach Nick Hillary and assistant Ian Fairlie, the Knights appear poised to challenge for a spot in the post-season conference scramble.

Last season’s record of 5-9-1 might not seem like progress, but the Green and Gold took a step forward in returning to conference prominence last season. For the first time in six seasons, the Golden Knights were not doubled up by their opponents in the scoring column. In fact, with just a few lucky bounces, the Green and Gold could have found themselves with a winning mark as the team scored the most goals in a season since 2005 and allowed its fewest since 2001, the team’s last winning season.

Led by captains Scott Desmond (Enfield, CT), Brody Boomer (Louisville, KY) and Nate Hazen (Dalton, MA), the Golden Knights are still loaded with youth as the team has just three seniors, but this time around the underclassmen have already endured their growing pains at the collegiate level and should leap into contention in 2009.

With the loss of just a pair of goal scorers from last year’s team, the Knights have the majority of their scoring punch returning this fall. Liberty League All-Star Scott Desmond will play up front both as a striker and in the midfield and he should once again be among the scoring leaders in the conference as he ranked eighth in both points (15) and goals (6) in 2008 as a sophomore. As one of only two field players on the team to start all 15 contests last season, Desmond will look to move up the all-time scoring list at Clarkson as he enters his final two seasons with the Green and Gold.

While the other forwards may not have produced the numbers that Desmond did last season as a striker, they are capable of ramping up their numbers to his level this year. Senior Matias Pena (Port Washington, NY) fourth on the team in scoring last season, tallying a goal and two assists, and few players in the league are as skilled as he is. Junior Christopher Bates (Schnectady, NY) played the midfield last season, starting three games, but will be moved to striker this year as the only other upperclassmen in the ranks. Joining Bates up front are sophomores Brian Buckner (Farmington, NY) and Elliot Carter (Nepean, ONT). Both scored a goal in their first collegiate season, with Buckner’s coming against conference-rival St. Lawrence. Classmate Nick Yost (Gloversville, NY) played in six games last season and looks to make a larger impact this season, as do newcomers Vittorio Partesano (Glastonbury, CT) and Nathan Pichette (Massena, NY).

The midfield will very much mirror the strikers in terms of depth and experience, as junior Andrew Ensinger (Rochester, NY) and Brett Laudermilch (Lebanon, PA) return to anchor the position. Ensinger will play more up top for offense, as he scored two goals and assisted on two others in 2008, while Laudermilch will play a more defensive-minded midfield. Sophomores Tobin Boomer (Louisville, KY) and Nate Hazen combined to start 29 games as freshmen, so the pair is ready to take a step forward. Classmates David Maiorino (Holbrook, NY) and Jon Gacioch (Palmyra, NY) are in a different position compared to the other sophomore midfielders as Maiorino played in four games late in the season and Gacioch missed the season recovering from injury, but both will see time for the Knights in 2009. Junior Mark Secko (Shoreham, NY) should be a familiar name to Clarkson soccer fans as his brothers Mike and Matt played for the Knights in the late-90s and early-2000s as all-star performers. The younger Secko is also a standout on the pitch, having transferred from Division I Stonybrook after two seasons. He played in 37 games in the last two seasons, starting 29 times and accumulating six points (2-2-6). The only other newcomer is freshman Eric Wright (Rochester, NY), who should also challenge for playing time.

While the defense has plenty of depth with nine players in the back, just a few have competed much at the collegiate level. Seniors Phil Boyd (Groveland, MA) and Brody Boomer and juniors Jeremy Toscano (Brockport, NY) and Justin White (Dewitt, NY) all have plenty of experience, but only White was able to make it through the 2008 season unscathed as the former three players combined to play in 28 games, starting 26 times. Sophomore Todd Coleman (Vestal, NY) was the lone defender to score a goal last season, and he, too, played an incomplete season with 11 games and five starts. Classmate Matt Konecnik (Waterford, NY) gained valuable experience in 12 contests last season, which should add to the team’s depth. Sophomores Jeremy Benoit (Glenville, NY) and Anthony Esposito (Commack, NY) each spent most of last season on the training squad so this season will realistically be their first seasons playing collegiately, while freshman Bryan Malone (Tully, NY) is the lone true newcomer among the defenders.

There is no hiding the inexperience in goal for the Knights as three freshmen will compete for the starting job all season long. Adam Lamoureux (Falmouth, ME), Saverino Spagnola (Ottawa, ONT) and Scott Stuart (Ottawa, ONT) are all true freshmen and the trio will have to adapt quickly to the college game as the final scoring obstacle for the Knights.