As the Geneva College Men’s Soccer program continues to build a tradition of hard work and success, they now look towards the 2015-16 season to build off of past success and establish an even brighter future. Led by senior captains Sean Bernardi, Alexander Rosenbaum and Kyle Terrill the Golden Tornadoes have their sights set on making another run at the President’s Athletic Conference championship.
Geneva has stacked their non-conference schedule with a steady stream of difficult opponents highlighted by Alfred University, Methodist University, Lycoming College, Allegheny College, Fredonia State University and John Carroll University. Head Coach Gary Dunda remarked, “We hope our non-conference schedule will sharpen us into a battle-tested group once conference play begins.”
After only graduating five seniors in 2014-15, the Golden Tornadoes are still a very young team featuring 20 freshman and sophomores and only 10 juniors and seniors. While full of young talent, Geneva is also anchored by a core group of experienced playmakers and will look to provide a balance between youthful vigor and veteran experience as they seek their first conference championship crown since joining the NCAA.
The loss of former standout goalkeeper Bryan Butler to graduation has been a hurdle for the Golden Tornadoes. However, as Coach Dunda states, “We have brought in tremendous freshman talent at the goalkeeper position and trust that through hard work and training this group can perform well for us.” The addition of Bryan Butler to the coaching staff as a goalkeeper coach has helped in this transition as he looks to mold the Golden Tornadoes’ goalkeepers.
While Geneva’s non-conference schedule is difficult, the conference schedule doesn’t prove to be any easier as Geneva has away matches at rivals Grove City, Westminster, Waynesburg and Thomas More.
Offensively, the Golden Tornadoes return a slew of dynamic attacking players lead by senior captains Sean Bernardi and Alexander Rosenbaum. “We have a number of individually talented forwards and midfielders in our starting group as well as coming off the bench,” says Dunda. “Our hope is to continue to develop chemistry and creativity so that we are able to be dangerous and produce numerous chances in the attacking third.” In the back, Geneva looks to four-year starting center back Kyle Terrill to organize the defensive group.
With the ultimate goal of a conference championship in mind, the Golden Tornadoes begin their season with an away match on Tuesday, September 1st.
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