The Massachusetts Maritime men’s soccer team is looking to carry over the momentum of a strong finish to last year’s campaign into the 2011 season, as Head Coach Greg Perry welcomes back 16 letterwinners and nine starters back into the Buccaneers’ fold this fall. 

Perry, the “dean” of MASCAC coaches in his 19^th season at the helm, saw his squad end last season with a 3-1-1 mark in its final five outings, including Massachusetts Maritime’s first victory over rival Bridgewater State in 19 years as well as a double overtime draw with eventual league tournament titlist Salem State.  The Buccaneers have a bevy of experience returning to Buzzards Bay and look to make more noise in conference action in 2011.

Strong leadership has always been a staple of Perry’s program, and that will continue once again this fall, as seniors Ryan Fischer (Marshfield, Mass./Marshfield), James Gendrolis (Weymouth, Mass./Weymouth), Mike McCarthy (Norwell, Mass./Norwell) and Dennis Doherty (West Falmouth, Mass./Bishop Stang) will serve as Massachusetts Maritime’s captains this season.  Perry describes the quartet as “committed leaders both on and off the field who have high expectations of themselves and their teammates.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2011 edition of Buccaneer Men’s Soccer:

FORWARD.  McCarthy, who earned all-MASCAC accolades as a freshman, leads a group of five up front for Perry this fall, as he netted three points in 18 appearances in 2010, including the overtime game-winner against UMass Boston last October.  Sophomore Jake Soifert (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) added a marker in 16 contests for Massachusetts Maritime, while junior James Ricciardone (Mount Pleasant, S.C./Bishop England) lends additional experience after playing in six contests.  Senior Alex Ruark (Whiteford, Md./North Harford) and freshman Stuart Kinsman (Granville, Mass./Southwick-Tolland) will also be vying for time up front for the Buccaneers in 2011.

MIDFIELD.  Junior Derek Young (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) is Perry’s leading returning scorer from a year ago, as he netted four goals (three game-winners) and a pair of assists for 10 points in 17 contests.  Young and Fischer, who earned all-MASCAC honors after collecting a pair of goals and two assists for six points in 18 matches, provide a formidable duo in the middle for Massachusetts Maritime, which also returns junior Tim McDonough’s (Framingham, Mass./Framingham) three goals and two assists for eight points from last season along with fellow junior Adam Rabesa (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth), who started 16 matches as a sophomore.  Freshman Rob Robbs (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) will be looking to impact the Buccaneer lineup during his inaugural season as well this fall.

BACK.  Doherty and Gendrolis lead an experienced group of defenders for Perry, who must replace first team all-MASCAC performer Jon White in the Buccaneer backfield.  Doherty recorded three assists in 18 contests for Massachusetts Maritime a year ago, while Gendrolis notched a goal in 16 appearances, and the experienced duo will be joined by junior Adam Vieira (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford), who netted a goal and an assist for three points while starting all 18 matches in 2010.  Sophomores Hieu Nguyen (Weymouth, Mass./Matignon), Daniel Riley (Hanover, Mass./Hanover), Stephen Machaby (Rockland, Mass./Rockland) and Asa Mills (Westport, Mass./Bishop Stang) lend additional experience after combining for 38 appearances as a rookies for the Buccaneers, who also welcome freshmen Justin Krusemark (Newburyport, Mass./Newburyport), Joe Petersen (Hanson, Mass./Whitman-Hanson) and Conor Gibeault (Rutland, Vt./Rutland) to the fold.

GOALKEEPER.  Sophomore Brett Young (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) returns to his spot in the Massachusetts Maritime cage after a solid freshman campaign in 2010, as he posted five victories and a tie to go with a 1.76 goals against average that included 89 saves for a .774 saves percentage.  Junior Patrick Slaney (Northbridge, Mass./Bellingham) provided capable backup for the Buccaneers with a pair of triumphs to go with a 1.64 goals against average in five appearances last fall, while freshman Andrew Brown (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) will also be looking for time in goal during his rookie campaign.

Massachusetts Maritime begins Perry’s 19^th season at the helm on Friday, September 2^nd when the Buccaneers entertain rival Coast Guard in a non-league clash at Clean Harbors Stadium that begins at 6:00 p.m. EDT.