The Siena Heights men's soccer team has added a number of players with strong potential, but will certainly need to learn from their upperclassmen leadership to be successful in 2014 as the Saints open their season on Wednesday with a non-conference home contest against Goshen (Ind.). Following that, Siena Heights will visit Calumet Saint Joseph (Ind.) as the Crimson Wave hosts a four-team invitational. The Saints have drawn Campbellsville (Ky.) – a team receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll – as a first around opponent.
SHU heads into the season with four seniors: Bryce DeLamielleure, Michael Hummon, Clayton Tomczyk and Jason Uribe. Junior Keenan Boulnemour and sophomores Justus Stewart and Collin McLaughlin are also expected to provide leadership.
DeLamielleure, a midfielder, has been a stalwart for the Saints since his freshman year. He, fellow midfielder Uribe, and defender Tomczyk combine for 149 appearances during their three years together. Meanwhile, Hummon adds depth at the goalkeeping position.
Boulnemour will be a key piece for the Siena Heights back-line while McLaughlin has returned after a year in which he was the team's leading scorer with seven goals and one assist in 18 games.
Along with Hummon, sophomore Brandon Gonzalez and freshmen Julio Bruna and Morgen Gardocki find themselves in the goalkeeper competition. Gonzalez went 4-6-1 with three shutouts and a 1.57 goals-against average as a freshman in 2013.
Those who may contribute as newcomers include junior defender Keith Swistock, who has transferred from Madonna, and three freshmen: Luis Miguel Anaya, who could play at midfield or forward; David Felipe Parra Ruiz, who is a midfielder; and Stephen Beaujean, who is also a midfielder.
"We are more skilled than we've been in several years," Zid mentioned. "And within our roster, we have a more unified, less individualistic team. They have a better understanding of our common goals; that is a credit to our leaders."
A heavy international influence has emerged on the Saints' roster, which features 10 players from outside the United States. Among those 10, six are from Brazil while Bangladesh, Colombia, the Czech Republic, and Ecuador have one representative each. Saints' head coach Aldo Zid believes the overseas influx will enhance the overall team atmosphere – and possibly give SHU one of its more-skilled teams in recent memory.
"It has created a fun dynamic in a very diverse atmosphere," Zid said of the international additions. "All of us are entertained with learning about each other. It will especially enhance the experiences of our local players as they get to meet and greet others from around the world. Siena is all about diversity and we will embrace it."
As always, Zid expects the road to be tough for his squad. The schedule features only one team to compete in last season's NAIA Tournament, but it does include three teams which are receiving votes in the NAIA preseason poll. Along with Campbellsville, two Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference members received mentions. Northwestern Ohio is receiving votes while defending WHAC Tournament and regular-season champion Davenport is ranked 21st in the NAIA.
