Ready to Break Through

SELINSGROVE, Pa. — After riding a roller coaster of solid victories and agonizing losses during the 2000 season, the Susquehanna University men’s soccer team will be perfectly content to sail smoothly into a Commonwealth Conference playoff berth in 2001.

The Crusaders won their final three matches and four of the last five to salvage a 7-9-1 record last fall, and with 15 returning letterwinners and 11 seniors on the opening-day roster, lack of experience will be no excuse for the team as head coach Jim Findlay opens his fourth season on the sidelines.

“Hopefully this will be a breakthrough year for us,” said Findlay, who has compiled a 21-30-1 record in his first three seasons. “We have a large returning senior class whose leadership will be essential.”

One of the first goals of the current squad will be to erase the memories of four overtime defeats during the 2000 season, including heartbreaking setbacks to Franklin & Marshall and eventual NCAA Division III champion Messiah. Despite a 5-5 record in games decided by one goal, the Crusaders posted a 1-4-1 mark in extra time.

“There has definitely been a different atmosphere in camp this season,” said Findlay, whose team is entirely composed of players recruited by him. “This is the most cohesive group — on and off the field — that I have had the opportunity to coach at Susquehanna.”

Pacing the attack will be a trio of seniors — midfielder Beau Heeps (Allentown, PA/Parkland H.S.), forward Aaron Littzi (Kingston, PA/Wyoming Valley West H.S.) and midfielder Luis Salgado (Neptune, NJ/Neptune H.S.).

Heeps led the Crusaders with eight goals and four assists for 20 points during the 2000 season, including a hat trick in a season-closing 6-1 win over Albright. He ranked eighth in the Commonwealth Conference in goals per game (0.53) and sixth in points per game (1.33) last year.

Littzi scored twice in the Crusaders’ first four games before aggravating a shoulder injury and sitting out the remainder of the season. After scoring 18 goals in his first two seasons, Littzi’s loss was a major blow to the Crusader attack, as the team averaged just two goals per game following his departure.

“Aaron’s return will bolster our attack, without a doubt,” said Findlay. “Having both Aaron and Beau as offensive threats is one of the biggest positives about our team.”

Salgado will serve as the playmaker after scoring three goals and dishing out three assists last season. The Crusaders went 5-1 last season in games that he recorded a point.

Also providing a spark on the offensive end will be senior midfielder Brad Levine (Mahwah, NJ/Mahwah H.S.), who led the team and finished fifth in the Commonwealth Conference in assists with six (0.38 per game).

“Brad has a very strong work ethic and demonstrates outstanding leadership skills,” said Findlay. “He is a versatile player who can play both midfielder or at back and do the job at either position.”

Additional support in the midfield will be provided by senior Nathan Bassler (Thompsontown, PA/East Juniata H.S.) and junior Peter Swartz (Landisville, PA/Hempfield H.S.). Bassler tied for third on the team with three assists in 14 matches last season while Swartz bounced back from an injury-plagued freshman campaign to score one goal with one assist in nine matches.

On defense, the Crusaders are anchored by senior Mark Wells (Schnecksville, PA/Parkland H.S.) and sophomore Dennis Hogan (Lake Elmo, MN/Stillwater Area H.S.), both of whom enjoyed outstanding 2000 seasons. Wells made 14 starts and scored one goal while Hogan stepped right into the starting lineup as a freshman and emerged as one of the better man-on-man defenders on the squad.

Also returning on defense for the Crusaders are sophomore Geoff Dieck (Riverside, PA/Danville H.S.) and sophomore Brandon Emery (West Chester, PA/Downingtown H.S.). Dieck recorded one assist in 13 games as a reserve last season while Emery made nine starts in the back ranks for the Crusaders.

The Crusaders return a pair of veterans in goal, as senior Patrick Quillian (Oklahoma City, OK/Casady H.S.) and 6-5 sophomore Ryan Murray (New Hope, PA/Pennington School) battle for the starting netminder job.

Quillian, a three-year letterwinner, made 14 starts last season and posted a 5-7-1 record with a 2.08 goals against average and three shutouts, while Murray went 2-2 with a 1.78 goals against average in four appearances

Among the freshmen, Findlay expects to see both Caleb Woolever (Montoursville, PA/Loyalsock H.S.) and Jason Zeisloft (Bloomsburg, PA/Millville H.S.) to make immediate impacts in the lineup.

“Both Caleb and Jason have exceeded expectations in preseason camp,” said Findlay. “They have definitely proven that they belong in the competition for a spot as a starter.”

Zeisloft’s older brother, senior Aaron, will also compete for a position in the starting lineup on defense.

One newcomer who has looked sharp in camp has been Stephan Oluwole (Oakville, ON/Iroquois Ridge H.S.), a 6-4 forward from suburban Toronto.

The Crusaders open the 2001 season on Saturday, September 1 at 12 noon against visiting Marywood, and play their first three matches at home before embarking on a stretch of five consecutive matches on the road.