LOCK HAVEN, Pa. – The Lock Haven University men’s soccer team is set to the take the field in search of another banner year.

Lock Haven has 20 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) titles to its name and like any Doug Moore coached squad before, this team will again be in the mix to make a run at another title.

The Bald Eagles, always a perennial power in the competitive PSAC conference just missed the playoffs a year ago and they’ll certainly be looking to get back there this season.

Moore has plenty of talent and depth to do just that, saying that 1-to-26 this is one of his strongest squads ever, with no weak link anywhere on the field.

In 2009 LHU went 11-6-3 overall and 3-3-2 in PSAC West Action.

Like a typical Moore-coached squad this team is fit and tough. Moore is very pleased with this team’s depth and the mental makeup, which are two key components that can carry a team far.

Goalkeepers:

The goal keeper is always one of the most important positions on the field for any soccer team and for LHU that point is no different as the Bald Eagles return two capable goalkeepers.

Sophomore Chris Custer (Aston, Pa./Sun Valley) and redshirt-freshman Chad Badorf (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township) will both see time between the goal posts.

Custer played in three games last season and started one.

Both players have the potential to be top-class goalies in the PSAC.

Defenders:

Lock Haven returns a ton of depth and talent on defense.

Senior Andrew Clemens (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), a four year starter and 2008 All-Conference selection brings tremendous experience and leadership to the back.

Also returning after missing last season is senior Lyndell Pompey (South Oropouche, Trinidad & Tobago/Wheeling Jesuit Univ.), who gives the Bald Eagles another solid force in the back.

Kevin McCune (Butler, Pa./Butler), Zach Miller (Girard, Pa./Mercyhurst Prep), Terrence Gochera (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley), Paul Brungard (Howard, Pa./Central Mountain), Mark Tattersall (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) and Bobby Mohr (Erie, Pa./Cathedral Prep) all return looking make major impacts this year.

Two newcomers in the form of freshmen David Qaisi (Lancaster, Pa./Conestoga Valley) and Wesley Stem (New Freedom, Pa./Susquehannock) will make immediate contributions for LHU.

Midfielders:

The midfield is another spot where Moore has plenty of options as he returns plenty of talent.

Leading the midfield will be returners Colin Callaghan (Drexel Hill, Pa./Upper Darby), Kevin Wolfe (Lancaster, Pa./Manheim Township), Mark Auman (Clearfield, Pa./Clearfield), Chris Wagner (Harrisburg, Pa./Central Dauphin Easte) and Kyle Yoder (State College, Pa./State College).

Adam Scheibeler (Montoursville, Pa./Elizabethtown College) returns after missing last year and he’ll be joined by freshmen Steve Kretzer (Warfordsburg, Pa./Smithsburg – Md.), Bankuma Koroma (Philadelphia/Motivation), Nicholas Lombard (Gibsonia, Pa./Pine Richland) and Kyle Fuerst (Athens, Pa./Dowling) as the four look to step right in and help the team.

Strikers:

The Haven certainly has some fire power up top with a cast of capable scorers returning.

Leading the way is junior Martin Pletz (Pittsburgh/Carlynton), who scored eight goals last year, while adding six assists. He is LHU’s top returning points leader.

Greg Shertzer (Lebanon, Pa./Cedar Crest), the 2008 PSAC West Rookie of the Year returns after an eight-goal rookie season and he’ll be looking for more of the same.

Also returning to help lead the goal-scoring duties will be sophomore William Pasukinis (Benton, Pa./Benton) and Doug Moran (Butler, Pa./Butler). Each player scored three goals and had two assists last season.

The Outlook:

On paper, The Haven’s lineup looks like a blue print for success, but time will tell.

Moore is extremely confident in this group of players and knows that each one of them has the desire to win a championship.

The Bald Eagles kick off the 2009 season tomorrow (Friday, August 28) at 2 p.m. when they host Molloy College.