Recently in Men's Soccer Category

For two reasons, the morning of Saturday, April 20 was a special day in the lives of many people at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex. That day, the Eastern Connecticut State University soccer program not only raised $2,000 for the national Be The Match Marrow Donor Program through a Goal-A-Thon Event, but the Warriors welcomed Tyler Belfleur as a permanent member of the program in conjuction with the Team IMPACT! program. Members of the team soliciated sponsorship for the Goal-A-Thon from family, friends and members of the Eastern and surrounding community. Members and former members of the program were divided into teams of 4-6 players and the teams played time, small-sided games until a combined total of 100 goals were scored. Prior to the event, team members were introduced and mid field, along with the 15-year-old Belfleur, who, earlier in the day, was "drafted" as the newest member of the program. A native of Canterbury, Belfleur continues his recovery from a brain injury sustained in an ATV accident last June. In recent months, he has progressed from being wheelchair-bound to using a walk, and then a crutch. When meeting the team for the first time Saturday, Belfleur was able to walk on his own. Accompanying Tyler Saturday were his parents, Steve Ball and Danielle Laguerre.

Head softball coach Diana Pepin (above, left)  and head men's lacrosse coach Justin Axel (above) will be the guests of host Nick Aconfora on Eastern Athletics Weekly, which will air in a half-hour segment for the final time this semester on Wednesday, April 24 beginning at noon on LittleEast.tv. The coaches will discus their respective seasons as they approach the Little East Conference playoffs and will talk about their senior class, which will be honored Saturday prior to their final regular-season home games of the year.  The softball team hosts Keene State College in a 2 p.m. LEC doubleheader Saturday at the Eastern Softball Field and the men's lacrosse team entertains the University of Massachusetts Boston at 1 p.m. at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex. The men's lacrosse team will recognize this year's nine outgoing seniors and their families at 12:15 Saturday. Prior to the softball doubleheader, a Special Olympics & Unified Sports Softball Clinic will be staged from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. by members of the Eastern softball team. A special ceremony dedicated to Eastern soccer senior Jon DeCasanova -- diagnosed with aplastic anemia last fall -- is scheduled immediately prior to the start of the doubleheader. The Jeff Anderson Memorial Award will be presented in-between games of the doubleheader, and at the conclusion of the twinbill, Eastern's four outgoing seniors will take the ceremonial final lap around the bases.

Charity to benefit Be The Match is combined with Team IMPACT

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. - The Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team and alumni will sponsor a Goal-a-Thon to benefit the Be The Match National Marrow Donor Program Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.

All proceeds from the Goal-a-Thon will benefit the Be The Match program in the name of Eastern soccer senior Jon DeCasanova, who was diagnosed with aplastic anemia this past fall and has spent most of the past eight months in the hospital.

The Goal-a-Thon involves Eastern players and alumni divided into teams of 4-6 and will play timed, small-sided games until a combined total of 100 goals are scored.The minimum sponsorship is 5 cents per goal.

Prior to the Goal-a-Thon,  15-year-old Tyler Belfleur of Canterbury will be outfitted in a team uniform and will join team members during official introductions as part of the Team IMPACT! Program.  In June of 2012, Tyler was involved in an ATV accident and sustained brain injury. Since then, he has advanced from a wheelchair to a walk and now needs only a crutch. Prior to the injury, Tyler was active in soccer and basketball, among other sports.

Team IMPACT is a non-profit organization chartered to improve the quality of life for children facing life-threatening illnesses. The goal of the organization is to harness the power of teamwork by matching those courageous kids with college athletic teams. Team IMPACT children are "drafted" onto local college athletic teams and to the greatest extent possible, become "official" members of the team for the duration of their treatment, and beyond.

Tyler will be "drafted" by the Eastern soccer team prior to the Goal-a-Thon.

To support the Goal-a-Thon through a financial contribution, contact Eastern head men's soccer coach Greg DeVito at  860-465-4334 or at devitog@easternct.edu.

 By Jonathan Mizger/Sports Information Staff

The National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) has designated the month of March as National Athletic Training Month.

The theme of the second annual NATA month is Every Body Needs an Athletic Trainer. From the NATA  toolkit, the goal  is "to continue to reach those individuals and organizations that can help make a difference for athletic trainers when it comes to legislation, employment and public health."

At right: Athletic trainer Julie Alexander works recently with baseball catcher Ben Richards, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. (Daniela Marchitto photo)

Promoting the awareness of athletic training to people who do not know what athletic trainers do is a key goal that the NATA looks to achieve. Educating people of the importance of athletic trainers and establishing relationships between student-athletes and athletic trainers are things to consider in promoting the awareness.

Eastern Connecticut State University has athletic trainers who work hard without needing any recognition or high praise. The athletic trainers at Eastern are people who are helpful to the student-athletes and make sure each are cleared to play based on the guidelines on handling a specific injury.

Below (from left): Eastern athletic trainers Julie Alexander, Stevie Clines, Tom Holton, Jarrett Sorge.

Athletic trainer Julie Alexander, who graduated from Eastern with a B.S. in Psychology and went on to earn a M.S. in Athletic Training at Old Dominion University, expressed her feelings on the importance of this month and beyond.

"I think that we will carry out our day-to-day functions the same way we always have," said Alexander. "Any athlete that comes in with an illness or an injury that's athletically-related, we care for the same way regardless of whether it's March, April, May, August or September.  I think this month of March is more to promote the field of athletic training to people who don't understand what it is that we do. A lot of people think athletic trainer, they think personal trainer, a strength coach, and while we do have some function in teaching strength and conditioning and techniques, we're also on the field emergency care, injury evaluation, treatment rehabilitation, returning to play concussion management, the list goes on and on."

Alexander, who was hired at her alma mater this past summer after many years at Division I Sacred Heart University, has been proud of helping out the people she has met in her field.

"After 20 plus years, I can tell you that anytime we have an injured athlete, the best day is the day that they return to their field of play," said Alexander.  "That is probably the most exciting thing about what we do, especially if it's an athlete that's been injured, had surgical interventions, has gone through post surgical rehabilitation in our room; returning to play is those days I look forward to. I enjoy every day but those are the days that are special."

As there are upsides, there are downsides for being an athletic trainer. Athletic trainer Tom Holton, who earned a B.S. in Physical Education from Eastern and an M.S.S. in Sports Medicine from the U.S. Sports Academy, noted that he loves his job but dislikes when he lets the student-athlete know the bad news.

"I love doing my job it's just part of the job you hate saying 'you can't play'," said Holton. "I really wish I could come into work every day and not have to do that.. The reality of the fact is that  there's people we have to hold out and tell them 'you're season's over, you got to have surgery' and deal with the emotions of that athlete and how they're going to handle 'my career is over'."

Holton, a staff member since 1999, noted how being able to get the student-athlete to get back in his or her field of play and watching him or her succeed is one of his proudest moments as an athletic trainer.

Eastern director of athletics  Dr. Jeff Konin, another Eastern alum,  has been an athletic trainer and a physical therapist. Konin mentioned how the importance of athletic trainers is not just for the collegiate level, but for all levels of competition.

"The purpose is to bring awareness to the general public, to bring awareness to the public of the importance of athletic trainers and the injury prevention care of the numerous student-athletes that participate in sports in all levels," said Konin. "At the high school level, less than 50 percent of high schools have an athletic trainer, and when every high school has programs but less than half of them have proper ways to care for the kids, that's why an awareness month is there to inform people of what they should be doing to provide appropriate programs. You wouldn't put them out there if you didn't have the fields, you wouldn't put them out there if you didn't have the coaches and you really shouldn't put them out there if you don't have the appropriate medical care for them."

As the spring season is starting to get into full-swing, so are the athletic trainers at Eastern working hard to make sure every student-athlete is evaluated and cleared to play. The month of March will be busy at Eastern with lacrosse, baseball, softball, and track & field. The Eastern athletic trainers will be the unsung heroes in helping our student-athletes,  not only during national NATA month, but every month of the academic year.

"I have the best job in the world," said Alexander. "In this job, you don't sit behind a desk or do the same thing every day . Every day is different , and you get to work with amazing people who you want to see get better when they get injured.. What's better than that?"

Greg DeVito, Eastern Connecticut State University head men's soccer coach, was honored as the Connecticut Junior Soccer Association (CJSA) Coach-of-the-Year at the annual  President's Awards Dinner at the Farmington Marriott Jan. 25. DeVito has served as a coach in the association for 12 years and has won five CJSA Open Cup championships, including the FSA United U-17 title in 2010 and the FSA United U-18 crown in 2011. Last year, DeVito's U-15 and U-17 squads reached the Cup championship. DeVito has led Eastern to six post-season tournaments in as many years and compiled an overall record of 88-28-12. Last fall's' team won a program record 17 matches against just two losses and a tie and captured the Little East Conference regular-season and tournament titles.  Shown in photo above with DeVito are (from left) assistant coaches Matt Weston, Adam Phaiah and Conor Clifford. 

The outgoing seniors of the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer program display their framed jerseys which they received at the program's annual year-end banquet Sunday afternoon at the Betty Tipton Room. From left: Jordan Munsell of Waterford, Cory Tobler of Portland, Bradley Fletcher of Middletown and Matt Furman of Montville. Missing is Jon DeCasanova. These seniors were members of teams which qualified for four straight NCAA tournaments, captured three Little East Conference regular-season and tournament titles and compiled an overall record of 62-17-6, 29-3-3 in conference regular season and playoff competition. This past fall's team finished 17-2-1, setting a program record for victories in a season, and winning both the LEC regular season and tournament titles.

Institution is only one in New England to have both programs honored

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. --  Eastern Connecticut State University is one of only four institutions nationwide - the only one from New England -- to have both its men's and women's soccer programs qualify for a 2012 National Soccer Coaches' Association of America (NSCAA) Ethics Award.

The Eastern men's and women's soccer team both qualified for a Bronze Team Ethics Award for accumulating ten or less yellow and no red cards over the course of the 2012 season. The Eastern men were issued eight yellow cards in 20 matches during a 17-2-1 season and the women's team was given three yellow cards in 18 matches during a 9-6-3 campaign.

"I am so proud of our student athletes from both the men's and women's soccer teams," noted Eastern Director of Athletics Dr. Jeff Konin. "This past fall, not only did they perform successfully on the field and exemplary in the classroom, but the recognition of being just one of four universities in the nation to have both men's and women's teams receive the award demonstrates the high standards portrayed every day at Eastern.  Additionally, our coaches are to be commended for instilling these values in our student athletes."

In addition to Eastern, the only other soccer programs to feature both their men's and women's programs with an Ethics Award were Division III institutions Grinnell College, Grove City College, and Stevens Institute of Technology.

Eastern was among only six men's programs in the country to be recognized with an Ethics Award.  Five of those programs earned spots in the Bronze category and one in the Silver category.

Men's and women's four-year and two-year collegiate teams holding membership in the NSCAA were eligible for the award, presented for the first time. Eight institutions received a Gold Award for being issued no yellow cards during the season; 48 programs earned a Silver Award for receiving five or less yellow cards, and 18 were presented a Bronze Award for receiving ten or fewer yellow cards. Programs which received even one red card were not eligible for the award.

"As the athletic director, this accomplishment combined with the success these programs have had on the field and in the classroom tells me that we are meeting the mission of the University and the true purpose of Division 3 athletics," added Konin. "If I were a parent of one of these student-athletes, I would feel very comfortable that my son or daughter made the right choice coming to Eastern!"  

This past fall, five members of the men's team and five members of the women's team achieved Little East Conference All-Academic status, with seniors Jordan Munsell (Waterford) and Cory Tobler (Portland) of the men's program earning additional honors when they were named to the NSCAA College Division Men's Scholar All-East Region Team.

The Eastern women are under the direction of 13-year head coach Chris D'Ambrosio, the men under the direction of six-year head coach Greg DeVito.
   

Munsell, Tobler are named to College Division All-East Team

Munsell (far left), Tobler

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. --  Eastern Connecticut State University senior soccer players Jordan Munsell (Waterford) and Cory Tobler (Portland) have been named to the 2012 NSCAA Men's College Division Scholar All-East Region Team. Munsell was a third-team selection at goalkeeper and Tobler an honorable mention pick at forward.

The two four-year letterwinners are among only three selections to the academic team from the Little East Conference.

Candidates must have reached junior status and must have compiled an overall cumulative grade-point average of 3.30 in their undergraduate work. Eleven players were chosen to the first, second and third teams and 126 were listed as honorable mention.

The East Region is comprised of four-year Division II and III institutions located in New England, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New Jersey, Maryland, West Virginia and Kentucky.

Munsell has an overall 3.51 GPA as a Psychology major while Tobler has compiled a 3.86 GPA as a Health and Physical Education major.

Earlier this month, the team was awarded an NSCAA Team Academic Award as one of 226 member Division I, II and III member institutions - the only one from the Little East Conference -- to record an overall grade-point average of at least 3.00 for the 2011/12 academic year. Eastern's GPA was 3.03.

Munsell and Tobler's selections bring to six the number of NSCAA all-region scholar-athlete selections for Eastern in the last four years under sixth-year head coach Greg DeVito. Chris Bourdeau was named honorable mention in 2009, Maxim Fantl to the first team in 2009 and Carl Appel to the first team in 2010 and second team in 2011. Fantl went on to first-team NSCAA Scholar All-America recognition in 2009 and Appel to second-team All-America honors in 2010.

At right: Jordan Munsell

This year, only one goalkeeper was chosen to each of the first, second and third teams. Munsell was the highest-rated keeper from New England, with Peter Maxted from Division III Swarthmore (Pa.) and Marco Jorgensen from Division II LIU Post (NY) gaining first and second-team accolades, respectively.

In their careers, Munsell and Tobler have earned spots on the Little East Conference All-Academic Team (cumulative GPA of  3.30+) the maximum three times. Each was also awarded an E-Club Outstanding Scholar-Athlete Award (cumulative GPA of 3.50+) in their first years of eligibility last May.

At left: Cory Tobler

This past fall, Munsell and Tobler each gained first-team All-Little East Conference recognition, with Munsell adding second-team NSCAA All-New England honors to his resume and participating in the New England Senior All-Star Game Nov. 25 at Harvard Stadium.

In his first season as a starter, Munsell started 19 matches in net and gained all 20 of the team's decision, playing all but 42 minutes and 20 seconds in net. He was the starting keeper in all nine of the team's shutouts, recording eight full shutouts and registering a 0.69 goals-against average and .829 save percentage. He led the LEC in GAA (by 0.36 percentage points), least goals allowed (14) and shutouts and was second in save percentage.

In 12 straight starts through the LEC playoff championship match, Munsell never surrendered more than one goal in a match, starting five matches in that span which ended in shutout, recording four full shutouts in the process. He compiled 533:53 scoreless minutes at one point in that stretch, beginning with a 1-1 overtime conference tie at Keene State College Oct. 6 and ending in a 1-0 overtime loss at Babson College Oct. 21 . Twice, he started both matches on consecutive days during the season, gaining shutouts on the first day both times and allowing one goal in the second match both times.

A two-time All-LEC selection in this career, Tobler set personal season-highs this year for goals (7) and points (20) and equaled his previous best mark for assists (6) en route to career totals of 22 goals, 19 assists and 63 points. Four of Tobler's goals this season were game-winners and came against LEC opponents. He totaled ten game-winners in his career.

This year, Tobler was second on the team in points and assists and tied for second in goal and was one of only two players in the conference to rank among the top five in goals and assists. In the Little East, Tobler was fourth in points, tied for fourth in assists and was fifth in goals and tied for second in game-winners.

Eastern set a program record for victories this year with a final 17-2-1 record, opening the season with a 15-match unbeaten streak (14-0-1) and recording the program's second undefeated (6-0-1) regular season in 24 years of conference play. The Warriors won their third LEC regular season and playoff title and qualified for their sixth straight post-season tournament and finished fourth in the final NSCAA New England poll and 24th in the final NSCAA regular-season national ratings.

Campers and clinicians gathered at the conclusion of the free soccer clinic staged Monday night by the Eastern Connecticut State University men's soccer team and Major League Soccer's FC Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz (at center in back in above photo) at Francis E. Geissler Gymnasium. A bone marrow donor, Seitz joined with the Eastern community for its second bone marrow drive in two months held at Eastern to support Eastern senior soccer player Jon DeCasanova. DeCasanova was diagnosed with aplastic anemia this past summer. Seitz spent the day at Eastern after flying in from Dallas. He assisted in the organization of the clinic and signed autographs for the 50 youngsters in attendance. Anyone wishing to help defray the costs of Jon DeCasasnova's treatment should contact Eastern head men's soccer coach Greg DeVito at 860-465-4334.For a copy of the above photo, contact Bob Molta at molta@easternct.edu.