By Christopher Boulay

CCSU men’s soccer starts its Spring campaign Wednesday, April 7 against Monroe College, the first of five spring games over the next two weeks of April.

The team finished 6-10-1 in the fall, with a very disappointing finish after a brilliant start. The Blue Devils traveled to Durham, NH and defeated Vermont and New Hampshire in impressive victories. They also defeated Holy Cross, but defensive lapses and unlucky late goals ended the season on the sourest of notes—missing the NEC Tournament.

Coach Shaun Green believes that this year will be different, though the team is still a work in progress.

“This is a two-year project with this team,” Green said. “We are in the first year.”

The team will be led by captain and center midfielder, Robert Cavener, whose eloquent displays in the middle kept the Blue Devils in matches throughout the season. He will be joined by fellow midfielder Connor Smith in the center.

“[Cavener] is the heart and soul of this team,” Green said.

Green hasn’t been thrilled with the preparation for the spring, mainly because of the short schedule and poor weather that has been prevalent as of late.

“We haven’t really had a whole lot of preparation going into these games,” Green said. “We have had conditioning and strength training indoors.”

The defense will be in better shape this season, with Jared Spieker, Blaine Veldhuis and Jesse Menzies all returning to the squad.

I am happy with how Jared Spieker looks. He’s come in really good shape, he’s healthier. He looks the part.” I like the attitude Jesse Menzies has. He’s gonna be a big leader for us – an absolutely great kid.”

The goalkeeping situation will be interesting, as both Anthony Occhialini and James Perkins will try to fill the void of the parting Paul Armstrong.

We’ve got two young keepers, two Connecticut lads,” Green said. “They are going to be splitting time evenly this spring, fighting for that starting role.”

The Blue Devils’ attack will be contentious with a group of players looking to fill the starting roles. Joel Diamand, Eduardo Ortiz and Beamer Freeman are just a few of the names that should be contending for positions this year.

CCSU will have a mix of Division II schools to play against, as well as their one match against a professional side, miming what the club did last spring, in what turned out to be quite the successful campaign.

The team will have three home games, at Arute Field this month, while the team will travel to Yale on April 18, and they will play a charity match against the Western Massachusetts Pioneers on April 18^th at 10 am in Burlington, Conn.

Spring Schedule:

• Wednesday, 4/7 at 7 p.m. versus Monroe College, Arute Field
• Saturday, 4/10 at 1 p.m. versus Dowling College, Arute Field
• Friday, 4/16 at 7 p.m. versus Mass Pioneers, Burlington, Conn.
• Saturday 4/17 at 10 a.m. versus  Yale University, New Haven, Conn.
• Wednesday, 4/21 at 7 p.m. versus AIC, Arute Field