LATHAM, N.Y. - The United East has rolled out its men's soccer Skye Division preview for the 2023 season. The Skye Division consists of nine teams, with each program squaring off against one another once in conference play.
Six of those teams will earn bids to the postseason which begins on October 28 with the Divisional First Round. Winners of that round will then square off in the Divisional Semifinals on Monday October 30. The Divisional Final will then take place on November 1.
The Skye Division Champion will then square off against the Volt Division Champion in a culminating Championship on November 4. The winner of that match will be crowned United East Champion and earn the conference's automatic qualifier into the Division III NCAA Championship.
Saint Elizabeth University
Alfonso Nunez-Perez elevates to Head Coach this season and looks forward to working with an experienced team that finished 11-6-3 (4-1-2 CSAC) last season. Steven Valencia Torres (Sr., GK) earned Honorable Mention honors last season and had 57 saves last season. Kevin Vazquez (Jr., Def., Honorable Mention) and Alejandro Lopez (Sr., Mid) lead a strong defensive unit that only gave up 1.33 goals per game in 2022.
Coach’s Outlook: “Good foundation and great incoming recruiting class.”
Bryn Athyn College
Despite losing a large senior class, the Lions look to bounce back in 2023. Bill O’Neill makes his 7th year as the Bryn Athyn head coach, hoping to expand upon the team’s three wins from last season. Between the woodwork will be Troy Billingslea, who racked up a program-best 116 saves across 15 games played. Tim Ragan will be helping to man the backline ahead of him and Mike Carmody will provide leadership as a utility player.
Coach’s Outlook: “After a very disappointing year in 2022, we look to rebound in spite of losing our very large senior class. Our leadership group has to bring our group together and rebound from last year. We look to get back to the playoffs this year and expand on our success in 2021.”
Keystone College
A difficult non-conference schedule with the likes of William Paterson, Wilkes and Scranton will have the Giants prepped for conference play come October. Clint Caso enters his third season as the Keystone bench captain, relying on a large number of returners to help the squad get to the postseason and their first glimpse of NCAA play since 2019. A strong backline anchored by Francois Elize will help, while former All-Conference members Hernan Godoy and Erik Duran will provide extra support.
Coach’s Outlook: “Looking forward to another challenging season, the out of conference schedule is particularly difficult competing against teams from NJAC, MAC, and Landmark conferences. Believe our young group is extremely motivated by this challenge and it will be important for all of our returners to lead the way in this challenge.”
Cairn University
The Highlanders turned in a successful 2022 campaign, falling just short in the Conference Championship Final. Luke Gibson (9th season) looks to guide his squad on a similar route to last year, where the squad went undefeated in conference play (4-0-3). Moses Beers will play a large part in repeating that success as the 2022 Player of the Year and Second Team All-Region returns to the pitch. Joining him are First Team All-CSAC member Jesse Britain (11 G, 9 A) and Second Teamer Joshua Smith (2G, 2A).
Coach’s Outlook: “ We're excited for the season ahead and the opportunity to compete in the United East. Like every season, this year will be different and filled with challenges but we have a group of men that we believe are up for the challenges and are eager to compete.”
Clarks Summit University
Tommy Peifer begins 2023 as the Interim Head Coach of the Clarks Summit University men’s soccer program. He’ll inherit an experienced roster who had a quarter-finals appearance in last season’s CSAC Playoffs. Senior Kingsley Okoi returns after Second Team All-Conference honors in 2022. Junior David Sage was a Honorable Mention honoree as well. The Defenders will open their season on September 2 against Pratt Institute.
Wilson College
After narrowly missing the postseason in his first season as the gaffer, Chris Higgins has his sights set on getting his squad into that next part of the season in 2023. The Phoenix will take on a pair of ODAC opponents in non-conference play along with a September 17th bout against Volt Division foe, Gallaudet University. Dylan Youmans and Martin Souza will head the offense as the pair combined for six goals a season ago. On the backline you can find Jorge Cortez who started all 16 games last year.
Coach’s Outlook: “This year we’ll be extremely young. We have some very talented incoming freshmen who will mix in well with our returning guys. We’re looking to build off the end of our season where we won 2 of our last 3 games. We are playing a challenging non conference schedule to help prepare us for our first year in the United East.
Notre Dame of Maryland University
The NDMU men’s soccer team will participate in its inaugural season this fall. The Gators will be led by veteran head coach Frank Olszewski. Olszewski brings a wealth of experiences to the department. A head soccer coach for 35 years at the Division I level, he currently ranks 38th all-time in NCAA history with 339 career victories. Olszewski has used those experiences to build a team with a real international flair, with the 2023 team featuring players from 13 different countries. The Gators will open play when they travel to face Goucher College on Sunday, September 3. NDMU will celebrate their first-ever home men’s soccer game on Saturday, September 9, when the Gators host Gallaudet University.
Rosemont College
The Ravens won their second-straight CSAC title last season after an 85th minute winner from CSAC Rookie of the Year Santi Possu to defeat Cairn 2-1. Coach John Loiodice (3rd season) has a strong non-conference schedule with Franklin & Marshall, Widener, Dickenson, and Swarthmore on the ledger as the Ravens will challenge themselves after a 10-3-2 (6-1-0 CSAC) season in 2022. The team will be led offensively by Possu (So., 12 G, 10 A, All-Region), Clayton Crosse (Jr., 12 G, 4 A, All-Region) and Sean Rodrigues (Jr. CSAC Defensive Player of the Year).
Coach’s Outlook: “Our team is poised for another great season returning a talented group that has been together for a few years while adding some exciting new additions.”
University of Valley Forge
The largest returning roster in program history has head coach Stephen Bower (3rd season) excited for the 2023 season. Midfielder John Sumo was leading the team in points in 2022 before an injury sidelined him. He’ll return alongside solid defensive pieces in Elisha Skipper and Anthony Konah. The Patriots will see some Volt competition as well, squaring off against Gallaudet and Lancaster Bible in early September.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are extremely encouraged with the largest returning roster in program history to create the deepest and most competitive incoming class. We have a great balance of youth and experience this fall and we are looking forward to seeing the results in the locker room and on the field.”
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The United East boasts 17 NCAA Division III full member institutions which include: Bryn Athyn College, Cairn University, Cedar Crest College, Clarks Summit University, Gallaudet University, Keystone College, Lancaster Bible College, Notre Dame of Maryland University, Penn College, Penn State Abington, Penn State Berks, Penn State Harrisburg, Rosemont College, Saint Elizabeth University, St. Mary's College of Maryland, University of Valley Forge, and Wilson College. For more information, please visit gounitedeast.com.