Ohio Wesleyan University | Battling Bishop Athletics

2009 Season Preview

The Ohio Wesleyan University men's soccer team ran the table in North Coast Athletic Conference competition last year to win the NCAC championship for the fourth time in 5 years, then won the NCAC tournament for the seventh time in the tournament's 9 seasons before advancing to the sectional semifinals (final 16) of the NCAA Division III tournament and finishing with an 18-5-1 record.

Head coach Jay Martin welcomes 10 returning starters and 24 returning lettermen who will try to defend the NCAC championship and make another run into the NCAA Division III playoffs.

"We've got some good players and depth at all positions, good athleticism and good speed," Martin said. "Our goals don't change from year to year — we want to win the conference championship, win the (NCAC) tournament, and get into the NCAA tournament and see how far we can go."

[ Tyler Wall ] Ohio Wesleyan's offensive output skyrocketed 50 percent last year, with the Bishops scoring 57 goals after tallying 38 times in 2007, and Martin looks for continued improvement on the scoreboard.

Junior Tyler Wall (Columbus/Upper Arlington) and sophomore Matt Bonfini (Dublin/Coffman) return in the forward line. Bonfini's 10 goals tied for second in the NCAC last year, while Wall was right behind with 9 goals. Wall was a third-team All-America, first-team All-Ohio, and first-team All-NCAC selection, while Bonfini collected honorable mention all-conference laurels.

Sophomores Raphi Fratkin (Boulder, Colo./Fairview) and Derek Sebert (Dublin/Coffman) were impressive during preseason action and should make an impact, while senior Sam Striler (St. Louis, Mo./Country Day) provides experienced depth. Incoming players who could contribute include freshmen Collin Greer (Beavercreek), Matthew Nogaro (Selden, N.Y./Brazil), and Ethan Tawney (Jackson). Greer was an all-area selection in high school, while Tawney was an all-state selection.

[ Jordan Halloran ] The Bishops return 4 starters in the midfield, with seniors Jordan Halloran (Springfield/Catholic Central) and Blake Pifer (Fleming/Ada) at the outside spots and junior Ryan Harmanis (Hilliard/Davidson) and sophomore Travis Wall (Columbus/Upper Arlington) at the center positions. Harmanis scored 5 goals and was a second-team all-conference selection in 2008, Wall ranked third on the team in scoring with 5 goals and 6 assists last year, Halloran had 3 goals and Pifer made his only goal of the season count, scoring the game-winner in a decision over DePauw.

Senior Will Murawski (Alpharetta, Ga./Westerville North) will see action in the center spot. Senior Eric Francis (Alliance/Marlington) moves from forward to fortify the outside midfield, and juniors Chad Baker (Dublin/Jerome) and Chris Lathem (Washington, D.C./Bullis (Md.) School) give the Bishops excellent depth at the outside spots. Sophomore Dylan Stone (Easton, Conn./Barlow) can play either inside or outside, giving Martin and the Bishops more options.

Newcomers who could see playing time include freshmen Casey Blankenship (Galloway/Hilliard Darby), an all-state choice in high school; Ben Quinttus (Dayton/Chaminade-Julienne), an all-area pick in high school; and Matt Thomas (Winnetka, Ill./North Shore Country Day).

The Bishop backfield is rich with experience as well.

[ Kevin McGowan ] At the inside spots, the Bishops return a pair of all-conference selections in seniors Kevin McGowan (Cincinnati/Oak Hills) and Matt Giannetti (Montclair, N.J.). McGowan was a first-team All-NCAC pick last year, while Giannetti received honorable mention all-conference status.

Juniors Brian Greene (Beavercreek) and Eric Laipple (Westerville/South) return at the outside spots. Each contributed on both ends of the field, with Greene collecting 4 game-winning goals and Laipple racking up 10 assists, with Greene going on to win first-team all-conference honors.

Senior Phil Serfaty (Dublin/Jerome), junior Marcus Bastianelli (Indianapolis, Ind./North Central), and sophomore Tev Levien (Lower Valley, Cayman Islands/Chesire (Conn.) Academy) give the Bishops impressive depth, and freshmen Eric Tifft (Huntsville, Ala./Grissom) and Allyn Wilson (Kettering/Fairmont) will look to make their mark.

Ohio Wesleyan returns 2 players with starting experience in goal.

Sophomore Steve Gobel (Wilbraham, Mass./Loomis Chaffee (Conn.)) took over during the first game of the season and performed admirably while senior Richard Ott (Norwalk) was sidelined with a hand injury. Ott started the last 19 games in goal, allowing less than a goal per game. Sophomore Jared Shaner (Weston, Conn.) also returns.

Freshman Paul Hendricks (Columbus/Worthington Kilbourne) will challenge for the starting job.

Ohio Wesleyan faces another rugged schedule. After the season opener against nearby rival Capital, the Bishops open their home slate with the Fred Myers Invitational, which includes a trio of 2008 NCAA Division III playoff teams in Calvin (Mich.), Carnegie Mellon (Pa.), and Rutgers-Camden (N.J.). The adidas® Invitational follows, with 2008 NCAA Division III playoff team Rose-Hulman represented in that field. Important regional tests with Otterbein, DePauw, 2008 NCAA Division III playoff team Ohio Northern, and Case Reserve follow immediately thereafter. In the NCAC, 2008 runners-up Wittenberg and Hiram, 2007 champion Kenyon, 2007 tournament runner-up Allegheny, and traditional rivals Denison and Wooster will be at the forefront of another thrilling title chase.

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