Men's Soccer

Salem, WV (Sept 29, 2008)...

Men’s Soccer Mid - Season Report - 2008
Written by Gianni Grimaldi and Andy McNab.
Edited by Jamie Shoemaker

The Tigers go into the mid-season homecoming game against Lake Erie under the new 2008 coaching staff of head coach Gianni Grimaldi, together with former Captain and present Assistant Coach Andy McNab. With the team currently going through a rebuilding phase, the Tigers will definitely still be going all out for a victory to kick start homecoming.

The Tigers have five returning players in this season’s squad. Brazilian ‘Secretary of Defense’ Leonardo Tillemont will take his place in goal and to again coordinate his die hard defenders to minimize shots taken on goal and prevent goals. That said, what made Leo so highly acclaimed last season, was how he rose above the action and provided stellar performances!

Leighton Lawrence on the other hand was a Giant last season, and so many times the rock at the heart of the defense! Still attempting to shrug off injuries, ‘the Big L’ is will be a formidable presence once he takes the field of play. Being from Jamaica, every one knows worldwide, that, their top athletes have both speed and power. The Big L is our LionHeart!!!

Part of the SIU Defensive Shield will be Zimbabwean Marlon Kahari, ever vigilant on the left hand side last year. Currently injured, our staff is confident he will make it back into the side at some point in the season. Many have underestimated speed-man Zach Shepherd who is going into the season hungry and looking to start as he finished the spring season, by scoring goals! Finally, our Man of Experience, Michael Velasquez, will provide our edge and the difference in winning and losing! Together, the Tiger team will look to these men to become the core of our side.

Along with these gentlemen Coach Grimaldi has brought in ten freshman, one of which is former Inter-Milan youth player Yrius Carboni from Brazil!!

The rest of the rookies are three hard men from New Jersey: Miguel Perez, who can contribute both in goal and on the field, ‘Jersey Joe,’ Anthony Leone who will help anchor the defense, together with Curtis Osusky, an All-Star player from Sussex Community College.

Drawing from Potomac State College, Amadu Fullah, Sheku Bangura and Jonnie Moore are three quality transfers which bring a great work ethic, skills and the will to excel! Like Miguel, Curtis andYrius, they are Red-Shirted players and will be eligible in 2009.

Recruited from the Washington, DC metro area, the Rivas brothers are our Latino Dynamic Duo, adding savy play and flair to both our defense and attack! Older brother Victor saw action years ago, competing against elite youth teams in Italy, while Eddie has done equally well.

Completing our ‘Rookie Class of Eleven,’ is Khemet Burnett & Cody Patterson (present red shirted players). Special K is a driven young man who never stops working and giving his all. Cody gets better each day as a goal keeper, as our confidence in him proves well placed.

Looking at the season, Coach Grimaldi has stated, “This is very much a transitional year. With a new coaching staff and new players, there are many new opportunities for this group of players. We are looking to establish an era of proactive professionalism, on and off the field of play.”  He went on to say, “I foresee a “seasoning process” for the incoming players, which will pay dividends in 2009. With that said, “The Future is Now” for the upper classmen, whose job is to take the rookies and transfers under their wings, and blend them into a formidable side.”

New Assistant Coach Andy McNab has likewise high hopes for the future. Andy knows the coming season will present the greatest of challenges, starting with the homecoming opener in Salem. “This definitely is a transitional period for everyone involved with the soccer program. With a new head coach, the Rookie Class of 10, and also my personal transition from player to coach. Although, the players have worked very hard in pre season, and I am hopeful they will take their work ethic and enthusiasm into Saturday’s match against Lake Erie, and make our adversaries remember, that We Are Salem!!!"

Currently the tigers are 0-5 and will look to jump start their season this saturday against Lake Erie at 3 PM.