Oct. 26, 2007

There is a certain buzz around Neumann College this time of year and if you haven't heard yet, it's coming from the men's soccer team.  For the first time in school history the team owns a winning record (7-6-4, PAC 3-2-2), which has landed the team their first ever entry into the PAC post-season. 

"I feel the players have taken this program to the next level," stated Head Coach Kevin Sloan. "Our goal has always been a national tournament and making it to the PAC Tournament is the first step. With only having a team of 20 players, I feel that everyone on this team has been extremely resilient. We have had some injuries to key players throughout the season and this team has really pulled together and given us the ability to use depth and teamwork to accomplish so much this season. This is a great achievement for both the players and the program. I am looking forward to the road ahead."

It was only a year ago that the team finished with a 1-18 overall record under first year head coach Kevin Sloan. Despite last season's struggles, Sloan has bonded with the returning players from last year's squad and brought in key recruits as well. Jesse Urquhart (Erial, NJ/Timber Creek) a junior transfer from Camden County Community College, leads the team with 12 goals while highly skilled Freshman Zach Sell (Baltimore, MD/Loyala Blackfield) has six of his own. In addition to the new comers, Knight's senior captain Barry Harvey, (Aston, Pa/Chichester) a hometown boy who has experienced the frustration of the past three seasons, is leading the team on and off the field.  Coach Sloan has the team playing harder, smarter, and working together and so far his formula is equating success.

If there's one thing the Knights have done this season to improve as a team it has been winning home games. Until Wednesday, Oct. 24, Neumann was unbeaten at home and now carries a 5-1-2 record while hosting opponents. However, the Knights have struggled a bit on the road, winning only two of their seven games away from Neumann. With that said the Knights have found a way to compete whether it is at home or on the road only losing two games by more than a goal.

Clinching a playoff spot is great, but judging by the character of this team they envision a much higher goal; adding a few post-season wins to this 2007 campaign would be great. They have one more regular season match at Eastern University before the PAC playoffs begin on Oct. 30^th. There is no doubt the Knights have over achieved this season playing to their abilities and finally putting Neumann on the map for Men's Soccer. However, making the post-season for this team is not enough. They still want to hear the buzz well after Oct. 30^th.