Philadelphia, Pa. – (8/28/2022) – "It's defense first for 2022," opened Gwynedd Mercy University Head Men's Soccer Coach Dave Bontempo. "Coach Leonard and Coach Bono have revamped and reinforced our backline strategy. Meanwhile, Coach Dailey will assist me with the offensive production. We are relying on our captains, Evan, Hugh, and Kevin to lead us on what could be a great season. We love the collegiate game; we're going to work hard and continue to play tough, attractive, Gwynedd Mercy University soccer."
 
Gwynedd Mercy University closed out 2021 in the Atlantic East Conference (AEC) Quarterfinals, battling Immaculata University to a 1-0 halftime spread before second-half scores ensured the Mighty Macs advance. In 2022, the Griffins look to return to the AEC postseason tournament with a promising mix of old and new. "We have seven upperclassmen returning for their final season. This is a big year for them. We'll take it game-by-game and make it special," said Coach Bontempo.
 
The veteran group he refers to includes graduate defenseman Kevin Hanuscin (Langhorne, Pa.), forward Hugh Lynch (Philadelphia, Pa.), senior forward/midfielder Tyler Bascone (Wenonah, N.J.), senior midfielder Antonio Catanzariti (Blackwood, N.J.), senior forward/midfielder Evan Kirby (Bensalem, Pa.), defenseman/forward Badr Fask (Bristol, Pa.), and senior goalkeeper John Wagner (Phoenixville, Pa.). "Kevin and Hugh will be major workhorses for this campaign. Evan adds grit, strength, and tenacity in the midfield," said Coach Bontempo. Lynch led the Griffins 2021 campaign with eight points (3 goals, 2 assists) and Kirby totaled six points (2 goals, 2 assists) in 2019. Coach Bontempo deduced "Tyler and Antonio bring strength, experience, and maturity to the offense. And John is a battled-tested keeper." Bascone totaled four points (1 goal, 2 assists), while Wagner started 15 games and made 117 saves in 2021. "Lastly, Badr has size and blazing speed. With the addition of Victor Cruz and Mert Yildirim as transfers, we now have three six-foot-plus defenders," commented Coach Bontempo.

Junior and sophomore returnees include defender Mike Fienman (Philadelphia, Pa.), midfielder Kasey Wallace (Audubon, N.J.), defensemen Mike McGlinn (Philadelphia, Pa.), as well as forward/midfielder Colby Agnella (Holland, Pa.) and goalkeeper Shaine Kirby (Newtown, Pa.). "Mike (Feinman) and Kasey lead the underclassmen and will probably see more minutes than anyone," said Coach Bontempo.  He continued, "Colby and Mike (McGlinn) will push our seniors for playing time and Shaine will do the same in goal. They'll all get a chance to prove themselves this September." Fienman had an understated 2021 with five points (2 goals, 1 assist), while Agnella (17gp-0gs) was a valuable reserve who scored his first collegiate goal in a late-season contest at Penn State Abington (L, 2-4 on Oct. 27).
 
Junior defensemen Victor Cruz (New Castle, Del.), Mert Yildirim (Levittown, Pa.), and junior midfielder/forward Joe Laird (Glen Mills, Pa.) account for the Griffins' transfer class. "We're happy to have these guys," said Coach Bontempo. "They add much-welcomed size, speed, strength, and maturity to our team.
 
"Lastly, we are very fortunate to have five freshman, including three from the same high school," smiled Coach Bontempo. Forward Connor Bilotta (Runnemede, N.J.), defenseman Cooper Bantle (Audubon, N.J.), and defenseman/midfielder Josh Rossell (Mount Ephraim, N.J.), all hail from Audubon High School – with Kasey Wallace, that makes it four members of the Green Wave on the roster. They are joined by midfielder/defenseman Joe Deitzel (Lansdale, Pa.) and midfielder/forward Erik Lopez (Philadelphia, Pa.). "Joe and Erik will see some quality minutes and are great additions to the club as well," finished Coach Bontempo.
 
"We'll find out who we are this September with a competitive non-conference schedule," said Coach Bontempo. "We want to clear them with a winning percentage and get ready for the conference run. I really think we can surprise some people this fall, secure a playoff spot, challenge for a home playoff game, who knows?"
 
The Gwynedd Mercy University men's soccer team begins their 2022 season on Thursday, September 1, when they travel to Clarks Summit University for a 3:30 p.m. contest.