2010 Season in Review

Rebuilding Effort Continues Under New Head Coach

Purchase, NY (Nov. 5, 2010) – It’s not often that a team wins one game and walks away from the season feeling good about the future.

But that was the story for the 2010 Purchase College men’s soccer team. The Panthers finished last and only recorded one win this fall – albeit a memorable one – but can see a bright future on the horizon under new head coach Ricardo Lyon-Trapp.

With the loss of two key players from last year’s team, goalie Alex Frenkel and standout scorer Sebastian Munoz, the Panthers were dealt a bad hand before the season even started. However, Purchase showed how much a team can rally together when faced with adversity. The Panthers played extremely well down the stretch, holding Old Westbury to one goal in a tightly contested 1-0 loss in the final game of the regular season. Old Westbury, a playoff bound team, and one of the top seeds in the tournament was surely tested by Purchase’s cohesive team play.

[Pictured above: STANDOUT SEBASTIAN RIBEIRO TURNS THE CORNER FOR MEN'S SOCCER. -Photos by Karla Mera]

The Panthers are hoping to build off of that unity in 2011. This fall belonged to senior midfielder Sebastian Ribeiro and standout goalkeeper David Kurzweil, who played exceptionally well despite the team’s record. Kurzweil made the most saves in the league and kept the Panthers in nearly every game they played.

Turning their attention to next season, Purchase is looking forward to a big time recruiting class and the return of some promising soon-to-be upperclassmen. Midfielder Nick Esposito will look to power a senior class next year that includes key defenseman Ki Walker and midfielder Adrian Vallejo. Walker provided the late game winner in Purchase's 2-1 win against Sarah Lawrence midseason.

The team will also return a strong set of young guns. Michael Beckett became a force in the back until a torn ACL sidelined for the year late in the season. Joe Antolino also started making some noise as the season closed out – look for him to mature and become one of the anchors next fall.

Purchase will also return Robert Acosta, a speedy ball-handler and scorer who will look to lead the Panthers back to the playoffs next fall.

-Mike Zacchio and Bobby Ciafardini, SID

2010 Recaps:
'Fantastic Four' Honored on Senior Day
Maritime Powers Past Purchase
Panthers Fall Short at NYU-POLY
MSMC Strikes Early, Wins 3-0
Early Goals Fuel Sage's Win
Macs, Panthers Tie 3-3
Bard Edges Purchase 1-0
Rams Best Purchase
Panthers Pull Off Dramatic First Win
CMSV's Late Goal Upends Panthers
Purchase Drops League Opener
Zakari's Two Goals Lift CCNY
Penalties Mar Double OT Draw
Villamar, Alvarez Lift Rutgers-Newark Past Purchase
Panthers Fall at Medgar
John Jay Too Much for Starters

2010 News:
'Sebi' Named to Honor Roll
Walker's Game Winner Also Delivers HR Mention
Pereira Named to Honor Roll
GK Kurzweil Tops League HR
Lyon-Trapp Named New Head Coach