Greater Allegheny Men's Soccer Looks Onward to the 2014-15 Season

McKeesport, Pa. - Head coach Achilles Vassilicos and the Penn State Greater Allegheny men's soccer team look forward to their second season of play in the 2014-15 academic year.

"The numbers are very good for the incoming season," said Vassilicos. "The team is mostly comprised of freshman with very few returners."

The returners making a significant impact on the team includes sophomore defense Jordan Diaz (Gary, Ind./Merrillville), sophomore midfield Gerardo Diaz (Mayaguez, Puerto Rico/Immaculate Concepcion Academy) and sophomore forward Manoj Sharma (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin). Sharma comes back to Greater Allegheny as a member of the First-Team All-Conference team, after he netted twelve goals and one assist for a total of 25 points. 

"I was able to recruit two very strong goalkeepers in freshman Giovanni Vega (Aquadilla, Puerto Rico/Colegio San Carlos) and freshman Alex Wood (Rochville, Md./St. John's College)," said coach Achilles. "Wood shows field talent alongside his work in goal, proving he is real for dual duties within the men's team."

Notable recruits and promising freshman reside in freshman center midfielder Marin Marina (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), freshman defender Gabriel Medina (Puerto Rico/Wesleyan Academy), freshman outside midfielder Nick Jugovic (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), freshman outside midfielder Bimal Bhattarai (Pittsburgh, Pa./Baldwin), freshman forward Joel Greeley (Chantilly, Va./Cedar Crest), freshman midfielder Ronald Dushack (North Huntingdon, Pa./Norwin) and freshman center midfielder Nick Andrews (Penn Hills, Pa./Serra Catholic). 

"There were a lot of setbacks with players coming into the season whether it was due to transfer, injury or family problems. We are planning to move forward and work with the student-athletes that we have to have the best, most competitive season moving into the future," completes Vassilicos.

The men's soccer team looks to open their campaign on Sunday, August 31st against Southern State Community College. Kick-off is set for 12 p.m. at McClure Middle School.