The 2008 North Country Community College Men’s Soccer Team looks to build on their 4-10 record from a year ago. The Saints will face a much tougher schedule this year as they join the Mountain Valley Athletic Conference. Gone from the program are Freshman Dean Atkins (Wycomb,Eng/John Hampden) who accepted a full scholarship to NCAA Division II Mercyhurst and Sophomores Curtis Nelson (Newport Union/North Country Union) and Matt Levac (Massena/Massena). The Saints face 7 teams from last years Regional Tournament, 5 of them being quarterfinalists including National Power Herkimer CCC.

The Saints return 7 players from last years team. Defenders Craig Peacock (Boroughbridge, Eng/Boroughbridge H.S.) and Kyler Clark (Saratoga Springs/South Glens Falls) saw a large amount of playing time in their first season with the Saints. Second Year Mekan Hellenov (Ashgabat, Turkmenistan/Olympic Sport School) and will be joined by James Allen (Hoo, Eng/Hundred of Hoo) and Nic Hier (Johnsburg/Johnsburg).

At Midfield Captain James Flaherty (London, Eng/St. Michael’s) will anchor the center midfield. Kiel Mullen (Warwickshire, Eng/Warwickshire) whose 7 goals in his first season tied for the team lead will work alongside Ryan Geary (Ogdensburg/Ogdensburg) who will be in his first season with the Saints as a soccer player. Geary the starting point guard for the Men’s Basketball Team is a former Section X Boys Soccer Player of the Year. Newcomers Chris Stephenson (Boroughbridge, Eng/Boroughbridge H.S.), Liam Gilbert (Southampton/Toynebee School), Mike Legault (Hudson Falls/Hudson Falls), Andrew Armstrong (Lisbon/Lisbon) and Steven LaBombard (Chazy/Chazy) a member of the New York State Class D Championship Team, will help fill in the rest of the midfield.

At Forward the speedy Jake Losey (Massena,Massena) and Kevin Patanella (Caledonia/Caledonia-Mumford) return for the Saints. Losey was third on the team with 5 goals in 2007 and scored in the Saints final 3 games. Freshmen Kenny Rutkowski (Burlington, VT/Essex) a Vermont All-State player, Chris LaShomb (Massena/Massena), Ephriam Fosu (New York/Martin Luther King H.S.) and Clayton Buck (Hoosick Falls/Hoosick Falls) will all be looking to make an impact at forward this season.

In goal the Saints will turn to Freshman Zack Peck (Chateaugay/Chateaugay) to control the defense.

“We hurt ourselves last season so many times by giving away goals in key situations. We lost 5 games last season by just 1 goal. With more experienced players returning and coming in we are looking to make those games wins and make the Regional Tournament in 2008,” says Coach Parker.

If you think you would like to be a part of the Saints Men’s Soccer Program next fall, you can contact Coach Parker directly at aparker@nccc.edu or fill out a Prospect Form.

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