Just like every other intercollegiate sport offered at the institution, the men’s soccer program at Malone University will be navigating new territory this year with its debut in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference.
Learning about the Pioneers on the pitch will be a fun process after the newest league school was tabbed sixth in the preseason coaches poll.
For instance, Malone lost six games by just one goal last year in their final season with the GLIAC.
It also took just one second left on the clock in overtime for G-MAC champ and NCAA Midwest Region No. 4 seed Cedarville to beat Malone in the second game of the season on Sept. 8.
The Pioneers just couldn’t quite punch through in certain situations that could have been the difference between a season with a winning percentage over .500 and a spot in the postseason conference tournament. Unlucky injuries early in the season only complicated matters further.
This year, Malone is going to feature a heavy dose of underclassmen heading into the new campaign. Nearly 75 percent of the roster will be either the freshman or sophomore classification.
A few notable players will have to be replaced, including starting goalkeeper Jon Crabbs, who was an all-conference selection in the GLIAC as a junior. Jordan LoPresti (3 G) and Sam Tonelli (1 G, 2 A) logged valuable minutes in the midfield; Christian Schmikla (16 GP, 15 GS) and Troy Malsky (14 GP, 13 GS) will need to be replaced on the back line.
A total of six seniors were lost from a year ago.
Even though several sophomores received extensive playing time, Stock will be looking for a handful of freshmen to step in and make instant contributions.
Senior forward Nick Astalos could immediately cement his status as one of the G-MAC’s top offensive threats after leading Malone with six goals and 12 points in 2015. His six goals would have planted him in the top of three of all G-MAC players. He scored half of his team’s goals and is someone to keep an eye on early in the year.
Redshirt senior Matt Piccioni is a proven playmaker. He led the Pioneers with five assists last fall and would have tied for fifth in the league last year in that category.
The competition in camp should heat up for the right to be the starting keeper on opening day. Stock will be entering his fifth season with the program and the Pioneers are just two wins away from 350 as a program since starting in 1966.
Head Coach: Brian Stock (5th season)
2015 Record (Overall): 3-12-1
2015 Record (Conference): 3-10-1 (GLIAC)
2015 All-Conference Performers: Nick Astalos (Honorable Mention)
Quotable: “I think that the G-MAC is a quality league for men’s soccer. For us, the level of competition moving from the GLIAC over to the G-MAC is going to remain quite high. That is a great challenge but also great excitement for us in regards what is ahead for our team. It has always been our mantra to be the best you have to beat the best. At any point last year during the season, the G-MAC had multiple teams ranked in the top 25. Getting those tournament spots will be challenging, but we’re definitely ready for it.”
- Malone Head Coach Brian Stock
Records Watch: Malone’s student-athletes will have a chance to make a dent in the single-season records with their first year of competition in the G-MAC…Over time, watch for the Pioneers to slowly break their way in to the conference career record books.