SELINSGROVE, PA – Entering play in the new Landmark Conference, the Susquehanna University men's soccer team hopes to build on the success of its final season in the Commonwealth Conference when it advanced to the conference championship match for the first time in program history.

Head coach Jim Findlay begins his 10th season at the helm with the tough task of replacing eight graduated letterwinners, including two All-Conference first-teamers. Despite the team's youth, Findlay has a bright outlook.

“We're excited about our chances in the new conference,” he said. “So far we have good leaders; veteran players have stepped up as well as some freshmen.”

The Crusaders begin the new season Friday, hosting Pitt-Bradford in a 6 p.m. match at the Sassafras Field.

In goal, junior Pat Donegan (Lewisburg, Pa. /Lewisburg) returns for a third year and has played well in pre-season. Two freshmen, Matt Glackin (Clark, N.J./Arthur L. Johnson) and B.J. Merriam (Voorhees, N.J./Eastern Regional), will also push for playing time.

Defender Isaac Laubach (Millville, Pa./Millville), a 2006 All-Commonwealth Conference first team honoree, will serve as a team captain in his junior season. He chipped in two goals in 2006 and is an excellent leader on defense. The entire junior class will play a big role on defense, with Mark Richter (Morristown, N.J./Morristown) shifting to outside back after playing midfield last year. He will be joined by Dan Husko (Brick, N.J./St. Rose), who saw considerable time at that spot last year.

The center of the defense has junior Joe Miller (Malvern, Pa./Great Valley) and junior Matt Campbell (Leola , Pa./Conestoga Valley) looking formidable. Campbell played on the outside last year and may be making the move to center back. Freshmen Nick Barba (Sayreville, N.J./Westfield) and Zach Buckwalter (Lancaster , Pa. /Conestoga Valley) are also vying for time.

Two sophomores are looking strong at defensive midfield – Ian Hutchison (Pottstown, Pa./Owen J. Roberts) and Andrew Cordell Carey (Fenwick Island , Del. /Indian River). Freshman Brandon Eisenhart (Mechanicsburg, Pa. /Mechanicsburg) has also had some looks at that spot in preseason.

Junior captain Matt Gawlas (Mechanicsburg, Pa. /Mechanicsburg) returns as an attacking midfielder. He added two goals and two assists last year and has also played in the center of the midfield. He will be flanked by senior captain Seth Baughman (Howard, Pa. /Central Mountain ) and another senior Eric Baltimore (Shavertown, Pa. /Dallas). Baughman c ontributed two goals and three assists last year and Baltimore added two goals and one assist.

Junior Jordan Aungst (Selinsgrove, Pa./Selinsgrove), a transfer from Misericordia University, has also seen some time as an attacking midfielder, as have freshmen Jim Robertiello (Chester, N.J./West Morris Mendham) and Andrew Brill (Westfield, N.J./Westfield).

Freshman Rhyan Nelson (Manalpan, N.J. /St. John Vianney) has looked solid up top, with returning forwards Malek Giet (Harrisburg, Pa. /Susquehanna Township) and Andy Cole (Wellsboro, Pa./Wellsboro) pushing for playing time.

Junior midfielder Ralph Larsen (McElhattan, Pa. /Central Mountain ) suffered a season-ending injury over the summer and will serve as a student assistant this season.

The Crusaders were picked third in the inaugural Landmark Conference poll, behind the United States Merchant Marine Academy and the University of Scranton .

Susquehanna will travel to Lycoming on Friday, Sept. 7 for the popular Battle of the Boot. Landmark play begins Friday, Sept. 21 when the Crusaders travel to Scranton.