My Colby-Sawyer Experience
"I'm nearly 20 and still want a pony, so I knew I wasn't going to do any college sport other than the equestrian team."
- Jessica McLavey, English major
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men's soccer
2008 Men's Soccer Season Recap
After a brutal schedule to begin the 2008 season, the Colby-Sawyer men's soccer team faced several regionally ranked teams, and opened to a 0-6 start, the Chargers bounced back in conference play to make The Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament for the 14th consecutive season. The Chargers reached the TCCC Quarterfinals with a 5-5-3 conference record, but lost 3-0 to nationally ranked Western New England College, closing out their season.
Colby-Sawyer opened up their 2008 campaign with one of the toughest schedules in the program's history. Their first test came at the Babson Tournament, where they dropped a close battle with Southern Maine, 2-1, who ended their season as the 2008 Little East Conference Regular Season Champions. In the same tournament, the Chargers faced the host school, Babson, who also won their regular season conference championship. Colby-Sawyer hung tough against Babson, but lost 3-0 against the Beavers, who were ranked No. 4 in the NSCAA Regional Poll. The schedule did not get any easier for the Chargers as they were next paired against Clark University, who was ranked No. 7 in the NSCAA Regional Poll. Colby-Sawyer played very well against the Cougars, but could not overcome an early second half goal, dropping the contest, 1-0.
Next on their road trip was conference opponent Anna Maria. Colby-Sawyer opened their conference play by dropping a heartbreaking, 1-0 overtime match to the AmCats. There was no time for the Chargers to reflect on the loss, because two days later they were off to Brandeis who was ranked No. 10 in the New England Regional Poll. The team finished their vicious road trip with a 4-0 loss.
Colby-Sawyer played its home opener on September 17, but hosted the No. 1 Nationally ranked team in the country, Middlebury. The Chargers played well against the 2007 NCAA Division III National Champions, dropping the affair 2-0. After the Panthers scored two goals within the first five minutes of the game, the Chargers battled the rest of the way holding the defending champions scoreless.
The Chargers took the momentum of playing well against the top team in the nation into their next match against conference rival, Endicott. The team played one of their best games of the year as they came away with an exciting, 2-1 overtime victory, when freshman Derek Veilleux (Winslow, Maine) scored his first collegiate goal, giving the Chargers their first win of the season.
After their short home stand, the Chargers went back on the road to face conference opponents, University of New England and New England College, dropping both matches, 2-1 and 4-0, respectively. The team rebounded in their next contest with an offensive outburst against the Pride of Regis. Senior Doug Currie (Harvard, Mass.) scored his first career hat trick as he led the squad to a 7-0 victory.
The Chargers were back playing against nationally ranked opponents when they hosted No. 16 Western New England. The powerful Golden Bears squad showed why they were amongst the nation's best, as they defeated Colby-Sawyer 3-0.
The loss dropped the team's conference record to 2-4 and with their playoff hopes fading, the Chargers remaining schedule did not appear any easier as they would face some of the top teams in the conference including Curry, Roger Williams, Salve Regina and Gordon. Under 19th year Head Coach Peter Steese, the Chargers went on an impressive four game unbeaten streak that included a 1-0 victory over Salve Regina and a 1-0 overtime win, on Senior Day, over Curry. Colby-Sawyer also managed ties against Gordon and Wentworth during the streak.
The team hit a bump in the road when they dropped a 2-0 contest with Nichols, but bounced back with a 1-1 tie with Roger Williams, who were battling for the regular season conference title. Despite their improved play, the Chargers were still on the outside looking in to the playoffs, heading to Eastern Nazarene.
Knowing that a win would secure a playoff berth, Colby-Sawyer controlled much of the game, outplaying the Crusaders, in a 2-0 win. The win clinched the No. 8 seed and a TCCC Quarterfinal matchup with Western New England, who was now ranked 15th in the nation.
Colby-Sawyer traveled to Springfield, Mass on November 1, to faceoff with the tournament's No. 1 seed, but could not overcome the Golden Bears first minute goal. The Chargers closed out their season with a 3-0 loss and finished the 2008 year with a 5-11-3 overall record. In his final season for the Chargers, Currie led the team in most offensive categories including goals (5), assists (3), total points (13), shots on goal (15) and game-winners (2). Currie finished his Colby-Sawyer career ranked sixth in total points with 55, tied for seventh in goals with 21, and eighth in assists with 13. For his offensive output this season he was an Honorable Mention All-TCCC selection.
Senior co-captain, Pat Benson (Essex, Vt.) was honored as the TCCC Senior Scholar-Athlete of the Year for his performance on the pitch and in the classroom. Benson was the team leader on defense, starting in all of the team's 19 games. Academically, he carries a remarkable 3.85 GPA as an Exercise and Sport Science and Biology double-major. Benson started in 71 career games as one of the top defensive players in the program's history.
Along with Benson, Tom White (Lisbon, N.H.) bolstered the Chargers defensive backline. The co-captain started all 19 games and with his aggressive play, making him one of the conferences most respected defensive players. Senior Ryan Oldfield (Raymond, N.H.) finished second on the team with eight points and tied for second with three goals, including the game-winner versus Eastern Nazarene, sending the team to the playoffs.
Rounding out the senior class are Colin Bellavance (Dudley, Mass) and Brian Doucette (Boxford, Mass.). Bellavance started all 19 games for the Chargers in the midfield. His hard-work and ability earned him one goal and two assists on the year. Doucette, one of the team's offensive threats, played in 17 games for the Chargers, picking up two assists.
Junior goalkeeper Chris Feltes (Manchester, N.H.) played over 1500 minutes in net for the Chargers, starting 18 games. Feltes' 1.10 TCCC goals against average ranked him seventh amongst conference goalkeepers and his three shutouts placed him tied for sixth. After this season's performance, Feltes now ranks fourth on the all-time career saves list with 268 and sixth on the all-time career wins list with 11.
Junior Pete Duff (Greensboro, N.C.), who transferred from Dakota Wesleyan University, was a solid addition to the Chargers squad, as he registered two goals, but was hampered by an injury that limited his playing time. Junior Justin Varney (Belfast, Maine) played exceptionally well in the backfield for Coach Steese, playing in 19 games and collecting two assists. Andrew Popp (Milford, Mass.) played in 18 games, registering seven shots and one assist, while patrolling the midfield.
Sophomore Doug McLaughlin (Derry, N.H.) saw action in all 19 games for the Chargers. His quickness and agility helped him tally his first career goal, on October 29, at Eastern Nazarene. Max Williams (Ipswich, Mass.) scored his first goal as a Charger against Regis, on October 4. He made 11 appearances at the forward position.
Will Berry (Berlin, Vt.) saw action as a striker and as goalkeeper in 2008. He earned a win in net against Regis and made two other appearances inside the posts. Berry ripped seven shots on the pitch during his playing time as a forward. T.J. Doherty (East Granby, Conn.) also saw time in net behind Feltes. Doherty made five saves in over 90 minutes of action, spanning his five appearances.
Sophomores Jeff Cote (Saco, Maine), Travis Provost (Stratham, N.H.), and Corey Vancura (Whitman, Mass.) all were key contributors to the Chargers. Provost scored his first goal of his career on a nice-looking, diving header versus Regis.
Freshman Brian Lombard (Ipswich, Mass.) had a solid first season on the collegiate circuit, scoring three goals including the game-winner in overtime versus Curry, and the game-tying goal against Wentworth. He finished third on the team with seven total points. Veilleux ended the season with two points and 21 shots in his 19 appearances.
Kevin Coyle (Bradford, N.H.), Brian Empoliti (Pembroke, Mass), and Tucker Cohen (Marblehead, Mass.) all saw significant playing time in their first seasons at Colby-Sawyer. Coyle scored his first goal against Regis on October 4, while Empoliti and Cohen both registered their first collegiate points with assists during the same match.
Christopher Veazey (Gilford, N.H.) made 15 appearances with six shots, while Ryan Gillan (Alton, Mass.) saw action in 16 contests as a defender, registering two shots on net. Elliot Garneau (Twin Mountain, N.H.), Ernest Tabiri (Gilford, N.H.), and Jacob Tibenkana (Malden, Mass.) all were assets off the bench. Eric Caples (Billerica, Mass.) made one appearance in net for the Chargers, registering one save.
