2009 Season in Review

Disappointing Fall Points Toward Brighter Future

Purchase, NY (Nov. 3, 2009) – It was the Brooklyn Dodgers of the 1950s that spawned the phrase, “Wait ‘til next year!” after a run of near-misses to a world championship. While the stakes don’t hold true for the Purchase men’s soccer team, the near-miss part is spot on.

Last year saw the Panthers drop 10 games, with nine of the one-goal defeat variety.  The team not only outshot their opponents, but also outscored them. Yet, the Panthers were on the outside looking in at the postseason. This year’s start looked oddly familiar. Purchase dropped two of its first three games – both by the score of 2-1, the same margin in six of their losses in 2008.

[Pictured above: SEBASTIAN MUNOZ LED THE PANTHERS IN GOALS.
-Photo by Oren Vourman]

The team seemed to bounce back after that, winning two games and tying one in their next three contests. Unfortunately, it was just the calm before the storm. The Panthers went on a six-game skid while being outscored, 32-3. The team went on to win one of their last three for an overall record of 4-10, missing the playoffs for a second straight fall.

While the season did have its dark spots, it had its share of bright spots. Sebastian Munoz established himself as a playmaker, filling a huge void left behind by last year’s scoring leader Geoff Robbins, who graduated. Munoz led the team in goals, assists, points, shots-on-goal and even game-winners, more than doubling many of the team’s totals by himself.

Purchase will see a mass of changes in the offseason. The team graduates five seniors, including co-captains, Matthew Levy and Cole Charbonneau. We’ve also learned that the Panthers will hand the reigns over to a new coach as Paul Brooks will not return next fall.

Though the change seems insurmountable, the team has a nucleus of sophomore talent ready to step up to the challenge. Along with Munoz, both Nick Esposito and Ki Walker are expected to return for their junior seasons. Esposito was second on the team in points, while Walker is a major asset defensively. Robert Acosta should also provide a scoring punch upfront with fast footwork and terrific ball handling skills.

Also in the good news department for the Panthers is that some veteran leadership is expected back. Starting goalie Alex Frenkel, the versatile David Kurzweil, and the other half of the Charbonneau combo, defenseman Luke Chabonneau should all return for their senior seasons.

With a strong recruiting class expected, Purchase is hopeful next season will be full of promise.

-Mike Zacchio

2009 Recaps:
Panthers Fall Short on Senior Day
MSM Shutouts Purchase
Munoz' OT Winner Ends Slide
Vilsaint Scores Four to Lead York Past Purchase
Playoff Hopes Dwindling with Loss to Bard
Panthers Push No. 1 FSC to Brink
Panthers Fall at St. Joe's
Cyclones Too Much for Panthers
Defense Succumbs to Maritime's Late Strike
Munoz' Leg, Luiggi's D Leads PC to Victory
Purchase Takes 3rd at Centenary Classic
Late Goal Gives Brooklyn Win; Panthers Split Last Two
Road-weary Panthers Stumble in Opener

2009 News:
Lyon-Trapp Named New Head Coach
Munoz Grabs Another Weekly Honor
Munoz Named Skyline Player of the Week