2006 Preview: Men's Soccer Looking to Continue Winning Ways
There is no such thing as a rebuilding year at Salisbury University. The 2006 men's soccer team is no different. While losing many key players, the Sea Gulls reload with even more talent and proficiency. Every year the Gulls plan to compete with the top teams in the nation, proving that they are a national powerhouse.

After advancing to the second round of the NCAA tournament in 2005, the Sea Gulls start the season off where they ended it last year, ranked No. 14 in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Adidas preseason poll.

Head coach, Dr. Gerry DiBartolo, returns for his 25th season poised and motivated for the upcoming year.

"I always said I would remain the head coach as long as I still have a passion for the game, and it is exciting for me to continue teaching," said DiBartolo.

Salisbury has participated in 15 consecutive Capital Athletic Conference title games. Of those 15 the Sea Gulls have won five with the latest coming in 2004. The Sea Gulls are no strangers to the postseason as they have made seven straight NCAA tournament appearances.

In order to keep these winning streaks alive, some young Sea Gulls have to be ready to step up and make contributions. Two players eager to make that step are senior captains, Wijy Jones (Millersville, Md./Old Mill) and TJ Nairn (Bowie, Md./Archbishop Spalding).

"We have nine to 10 guys who have been in the system and seen significant minutes in the past that are ready to get in there and stake their claim," said Dibartolo. "The hard part will be finding the right mix of guys for the best on field combination."

OFFENSE
That mix of starters will not include 2005 CAC Player of the Year Bill Whittington and the team’s second leading scorer, Christopher Mills. Salisbury also graduated eight other seniors from last year’s squad.

Senior midfielders Layne Crothers (Aberdeen, Md./Aberdeen) and Jones along with sophomore forward Nick Malone (Salisbury, Md./James M. Bennett) are among the players that are expected to step up and fill those voids. The trio scored a combined 13 goals, and racked up 33 total points in '05.

DEFENSE
The Sea Gull defense is still among one of the nation's elite. Last season, the defense gave up a combined 10 goals all year, for a goal per game average of 0.47, ranking them seventh in the nation. They also recorded 13 shutouts.

This year's squad will be led by four returning defenders, Ryan Flurie (Hagerstown, Md./North Hagerstown), Scott Forney (Crofton, Md./South River), David Kroening (Rochester, N.Y./Gates-Chili) and Nairn.

"In order to win we must defend well, and minimize opportunities for the other teams. We are pretty offensive minded but will never sacrifice defense," said DiBartolo.

GOALIES
The anchor of the defense, the goalkeeper, has yet to be officially filled. Junior Matt Blue (Easton, Md./Easton) and senior Scott McGuire (Millersville, Md./Severna Park) are battling for the starting nod. Both received significant minutes last season due to injuries and responded well, only giving up a combined two goals.

Returning to the field in a different role is former goalkeeper Jason Cranford. He will add his leadership and experience as an assistant coach, immediately impacting the goalies as well as the whole team. Markus Hunkeler returns for his second season on the sidelines as an assistant coach to DiBartolo and Tim Lane makes his assistant coaching debut in '06.

SCHEDULE
The Salisbury men's soccer team does not have the easiest schedule in 2006. Just two weeks into the season, the Gulls host defending CAC champions York College (ranked No. 10 in the preseason). It was the Spartans that defeated the Sea Gulls in last season's CAC title game. A week later the Gulls host No. 8 University of Rochester. Coach DiBartolo's philosophy over the years has been to focus on eight games a year, the Capital Athletic Conference matches.

"If we take care of business in conference then we land home field [advantage] for the CAC championship. We know if we win that game we will make it into the NCAA tournament," said DiBartolo.

The Sea Gulls will start the year off by hosting the Elmer Lord Memorial Classic on September 2nd and 3rd, taking on Ursinus and Kean University.