Head coach Chuck Schimpf kicks off his third season with the men’s soccer team and is anticipating a lot of change throughout the Rams 17-game schedule. After posting a 2-15-1 record in 2004, he expects to turn things around this season and will have 11 new faces to add to the roster. Former defender Trevor Thompson switches roles this year, moving into the coaching ranks as an assistant coach along with returning assistant Kenny Lake.
Senior goalkeeper Patric Santiago (Baldwin, NY) and senior midfielder Thomas Florez (Deer Park, NY) will lead the squad as captains. Junior Andrew Jardine (Centereach, NY) returns for another run at the Skyline Playoffs, along with sophomores James Varrichio (Massapequa Park, NY), Diego Grisales (Brentwood, NY) and Evans de-Souza (Elmont, NY). The team will have to fill the shoes of midfielder Bryant Rodriguez (Elmont, NY), as he will miss the season to have knee surgery.
The Rams play 10 home games this season, including six Skyline Conference games. The team opens up this weekend; a double-header with the women’s team at Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, September 3rd, game time is 3:00pm. The home opener is on Sept. 7th against New Paltz State at 4:30pm, the first of a three-game homestand.