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1999 Men's Soccer Outlook



The youth movement continues for the George Washington men's soccer program in 1999. Nine freshman join the squad of seven sophomores, three juniors and four seniors as the Colonials seek to build upon the late-season success of 1998. That squad, led by standouts Ben Ferry, Ben Hatton and Craig Jones, won four of the final five contests of the season as the team gelled in October. The 1999 squad will seek to assimilate the newcomers quickly, consistently improve as the season progresses and qualify for the Atlantic 10 Tournament in November.

The strength of the team will likely be the defense. Sophomore Ted Tucker will anchor the central defense. As freshmen, Tucker started all 17 matches in which he appeared. Tucker is a hard-nosed player who is good in the air and with a tackle. Joining Tucker is sophomore Gregg Friedman. Friedman is a strong, dependable defender who had a very solid spring season. Junior Jeff Greenspan, also a starter since his freshman campaign, is a fast, gritty player who will see time either as an outside back or midfielder. Icelandic freshman Fredrik Omarsson and Bjarni Thrastarson will likely see time straight away as either outside backs or midfielders. Both are tough, physical defenders with the speed to go forward into the attack. Junior Zak Adams rounds out the defensive corps. After joining the team as a walk-on in 1997, Adams has consistently improved his play and earned more playing time. Comfortable in many positions, Adams will likely see time as a right back.

Returning to mind the net is senior Michael Jelencovich. An agile keeper with strong command of his box, Jelencovich emerged midway through the season last year as the starting goalkeeper. Talented sophomore keeper Nick Parypinski, junior Andreas Kolazas and Dutch freshman Tashri El Sheikh will challenge Jelencovich in preseason for time between the pipes.

In the midfield, sophomore Michael Goldman emerged in the spring season as the heir apparent to the departed playmaking midfielder Ferry. A strong technical player with excellent vision and creative passing skill, Goldman will be counted upon to organize the midfield in a fashion similar to Marco Etcheverry for D.C. United. Seniors Marty Williams and Evan Nierman provide veteran leadership and stability in the midfield. Williams is a speedy flank player who will provide service for the forwards. The physical Nierman reads the game well and is a work horse in central midfield similar to Richie Williams or Chris Armas. Nierman was third on the team in scoring last year and will be counted upon for offensive production this year. Senior Jon Lagasse, an energetic utility player with a high work rate, should see time on the midfield flank. Sophomore Bucky Bennett and freshman Riccardo Forno both are solid, capable players who will vie for playing time. Freshman Ethan Hughes is a fast player with strong man-to-man marking skills who will compete for time in both the midfield and defense. Freshman Gregory Kahn will use his speed on the outside flank of the midfield.

Sophomore forward Jason Holloway is the leading returning scorer for the team. A quick player with the knack for being in the right place at the right time, Holloway is a clinical finisher. With a season under his belt, Holloway could be one of the top forwards in the conference this year. Supporting Holloway up top will be English freshman forward Matthew Osborne. A talented target player, Osborne holds the ball well and possess a solid one v. one game and strong shooting ability with either foot. Speedy freshman Kirk Lewis will compete for time up top, as will freshman free kick specialist Andre Cardim.