Syracuse men’s soccer 2018 season preview: Roster

Well, the English Premier League kicked off almost two weeks ago. That means that the world of college soccer is also right around the corner. Since that’s the case, we’ll be starting our season preview for the 2018 Syracuse Orange men’s soccer season.

We’ll kick the preview season off with a look at the updated 2018 roster. With some important pieces to the puzzle leaving via transfer or graduation, and Mo Adams taking up MLS on a Generation Adidas deal, the Orange have some shoes to fill for the 2018 campaign.

Forwards

With the departure of Johannes Pieles, the Orange’s leading scorer from the past campaign, there are some boots to fill, no pun intended. If I was a betting man, those goals will be replaced by the boots of Tajon Buchanan. After a stalwart freshman year in Orange, he’ll be looking to put some solid finishing work in leading the line for Syracuse.

He’ll be joined up front by a bevy of talented attackers, including fellow sophomore Petter Stangeland, junior Severin Soerlie and senior Adnan Bakalovic. The three should see time spelling each other on the wings, adding to the attack.

Massimo Ferrin is an incoming transfer from UAB. He was their team MVP, leading in goals, points, shots and shots on goal, garnering Conference USA Second Team honors. I would say that he may have an impact on the squad with a resume like that.

The forwards are rounded out with the addition of Nathaniel St. Louis. He’s not from his namesake city, but rather a recruit from the Toronto area, which has produced some great talent for the Orange in recent years.

Midfield

Senior Hugo Delhommelle returns as the number ten, playmaker of the side. He’ll be joined by his midfield partner Johnathan Hagman, running the number eight role, doing the box to box work.

Also doing work in the midfield will be Simon Triantafillou, who I see doing more wide work or in place of Hugo when he gets a spell. The Canadian should be a key piece to the attack this season.

Sophomores Djimon Johnson and Lukas Rubio should also get some run this season. The incoming freshmen include Ryan Raposo, who has been on campus since January, along with Hilli Goldhar and Julio Fulcar who reported this summer to the team.

Defense

The back line should stay relatively intact for the 2018 season. The only departure looks to be Hampus Bergdahl, who has left the squad. The likely starting back line will be Jan Breitenmoser and John-Austin Ricks as the fullbacks, with the experienced duo of Sondre Nordheim and Kamal Miller in the center. This group is a well traveled smattering of talent, who should provide a solid base for the squad to build from.

Behind this starting line, the Orange has a talented newcomer in graduate transfer Len Zeugner. Zeugner recently played for Boston College, and the Borussia Dortmund youth teams prior to that. His history is a bit injury plagued, but if he stays healthy, he looks to be a very talented add.

Sophomore Dylan McDonald may see some time as well, garnering two appearances last season, as well as the start in the spring against Bethlehem Steel. The newcomers to the defense include Syracuse native Michael Lantry, and fellow freshman Alphonso Joe.

Goalkeepers

This one’s an easy one. Hendrik Hilpert has been the starter for years. He will remain the starter until something tears him off the field. Most likely that would be graduation. The Eiterfeld, Germany native is a four year starter for the Orange, and a stalwart in the net.

He’ll be backed up by Jake Leahy, who put in a solid shift for local NPSL side Syracuse FC this summer and incoming freshman Sam Gomez, who comes to the squad from Webster Groves High School in St. Louis, MO.