Gwynedd Valley, Pa. – (8/28/2025) – "I have full confidence in my coaching staff and roster," said Gwynedd Mercy University Head Men's Soccer Coach Dave Bontempo. "Our challenge is to learn from disappointment, grow as a team, and compete for postseason berth. We will need some time to overcome injuries and develop talent, but our real goals for this season are to establish a style and an identity that will allow us to compete now and for the years to come."
 
In 2024, a Red and Gold roster with 17 new faces united for non-conference wins over Penn State Schuylkill (W, 6-1 on Sept. 7) and the University of Valley Forge (W, 2-1 on Sept. 21), a 1-1 (Sept. 13) tie at Bryn Athyn College, and a 1-1 (Oct. 30) AEC tie in the season finale versus Centenary University (N.J.). Unfortunately, the stalemate with the Cyclones was not enough to qualify the Gwynedd Mercy University for the 2024 AEC Men's Soccer Championship Tournament. The Griffins finished the season 2-16-2 overall and 0-5-1 in conference play; midfielder Luke O'Donnell (Glenside, Pa.) garnered All-AEC First Team honors and defenseman Matt Edwards (Bensalem, Pa.) was recognized with an All-AEC Second Team selection.
 
"We have a lot of talent to make up for; (Kasey) Wallace '25, (Shaine) Kirby '25, (Mike) McGlinn '25, (Victor) Cruz '24, (Cole) Costello, are all going to be missed," acknowledged Coach Bontempo. "But we have some proven leaders in O'Donnell, Edwards, (Braedon) Kehan, (C.J.) Clyde, (Gunnar) Christensen, (Axel) Mayren, (Hagan) Meyer, and (Colin) Stocklin) who will fill the leadership void. O'Donnell was Gwynedd Mercy University's top playmaker as he recorded AEC Top-10 and team-highs in shots (3rd, 49), shots on goal (4th, 22), goals (7th, 6), and points (8th, 13). Meanwhile, Edwards was a mainstay in the Red and Gold backfield for the second straight season; he put six of his 14 shots on goal and started in 19 of the 20 contests he played. Senior midfielder C.J. Clyde (Southampton, Pa.) (2 goals, 1 assist), senior forward Braedon Kehan (Warrington, Pa.) (2, 1), and senior defenseman Colin Stocklin (Philadelphia, Pa.) (2, 1) finished with five points apiece in 2024, while sophomore midfielder Gunnar Christensen (Finksburg, Md.) battled through injury for four points (2 goals) in his freshman campaign. "Each of these guys has something they contribute," said Coach Bontempo. "Edwards maybe one of the best defenders I've coached, Meyer has great size and ability, Kehan is a proven playmaker, Mayren reported to camp in outstanding condition and will be a solid defender. With his outstanding leg, he will also be a threat on restarts. Listen, I could go on and on, I like our guys!"
 
Other notable returning field assets include seniors; midfield/defense Joe Deitzel (Lansdale, Pa.), defenseman Colin Heisler (Delran, N.J.), and goalkeeper Joe Romano (Blue Bell, Pa.), juniors; Devario Gboho (Philadelphia, Pa.), Javier Hidalgo (Palisades Park, N.J.), Maxwell Khazen (Phoeinxville, Pa.), Tony Mendoza (King of Prussia, Pa.), Mel Velasquez (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Thomas Watkins (Morrisville, Pa.), as well as sophomores; Jack Barnett (Bensalem, Pa.), Ryan Burns (Jenkintown, Pa.), Dominic Lodise (Bensalem, Pa.), Owen Polumbo (Morrisville, Pa.), Anthony Ramos (Philadelphia, Pa.), and Cody Sell (Souderton, Pa.). Barnett and Polumbo are the only two in the group to score last year, while Sell made 10 saves in a season-finale tie with conference rival, Centenary University (N.J.) (T, 1-1 on Oct. 30). "Deitzel is a consummate team player and our only player who has been on the roster for four seasons," acknowledge Coach Bontempo. "We love Hidalgo's versatility and we saw some great moments from Lodise last fall. He will get his opportunities to show what he can do." Coach Bontempo also mentioned, "We also have four transfers from last year, who will be in the rotation; Mendoza, Gboho, Velasquez, and Heisler."
 
Newcomers for 2025 include three Bryn Athyn College transfers; sophomore defenseman Alex Garcia (Feasterville, Pa./Bryn Athyn College), sophomore Adam Leal (Jessup, Md./Bryn Athyn College), and sophomore Andrew Leibig (Bensalem, Pa./Bryn Athyn College). As well as freshmen; forward Mava Mboko Celestin (Erie, Pa.), defenseman Emmett Dougherty (Warminster, Pa.), midfielder McCarthy Gomes (Feasterville-Trevose, Pa.), midfielder Colin Jastremski (Cape May Court House, N.J.), defenseman Connor Piffath (Forest Hill, Md.), forward Jackson Stuetz (Willow Grove, Pa.), and goalkeeper Ethan Zimmerman (Myerstown, Pa.). "We are truly blessed to have so much talent on the roster," smiled Coach Bontempo. "I would really like to thank the Bryn Athyn guys for continuing their education and playing careers at Gwynedd Mercy and I would like to point out two of our freshmen; Mava Celestine was a tremendous scoring talent in high school and Jastremski is a physical presence. We are excited to see what these guys can do on the pitch."
 
Zimmerman joins the Red and Gold goalkeeping depth chart which already includes Sell, senior Joe Romano (Blue Bell, Pa.), and graduate Andrew Roberto (Churchville, Pa.). "Roberto has extensive collegiate experience and is a leader and coach on the field. Zimmerman has shown he belongs," stated Coach Bontempo. "They will all get a chance to earn time as we approach the conference season." A transfer from Montgomery County Community College, Romano played a big role his first season with the Griffins as he finished 2024 with a 2-7 record, a 3.24 goals against average (GAA), and a .648 save percentage (SV%).
 
"Above all else, we want to return to the AEC Championship Tournament," said Coach Bontempo. "We will be feeling out the roster in September, but all the while we must remain focused, determined, and work toward cohesion. Coach Wambold and Coach Weyerhaeuser are developing an offensive identity, Coach Lowry and Coach Leonard have been getting our goalkeepers into shape, while myself, Coach Dailey, and Coach Hanuscin are concentrating on the backs." Coach Bontempo concluded, "We will be tested throughout our early schedule, but I trust our depth and experience will provide a roster full of healthy and hungry soccer players come October."
 
The Gwynedd Mercy University men's soccer season begins on Friday, August 29, when the Griffins host DeSales University for a 4:00 p.m. contest at the Athletic Complex.