Completed Event: Men's Soccer at Seton Hall on September 19, 2025 , Loss , 0, to, 2
Men's Soccer
at Seton Hall
Final
0
-
2
Providence College Athletics
1999 Men's Soccer Outlook
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Soccer
In 1998, Providence College Head Coach Brian Ainscough led his Friars to one of the best seasons in the history of the PC soccer program. Ainscough believes this year's team can continue the success that the 1998 Friars experienced and will be able to compete with the top teams in the country. The team's goal will be to gain home-field advantage for the BIG EAST Tournament and compete for the Friars' first BIG EAST title.
The main reason for Ainscough's optimism is the return of three of PC's top players. Senior midfielders Michael Eisenhut (Hanover, Mass.) and Andy McConville (Madison, Conn.) and red-shirt junior forward Kevin Jones (Westford, Mass.) represent the best of Ainscough's first full recruiting class at Providence College. Now in his fifth season as the head coach of the Friars, Ainscough has continually brought in quality recruits to help rebuild the team. This season, the 34-year-old Friar mentor could realize the benefits of his labor.
Jones will be a key to winning this season for the black and white. In 1998, he returned to the lineup after missing the entire 1997 season with a knee injury and led the squad in scoring (22 points) and goals (nine). He will be expected to increase his goal scoring in 1999 and prove he is one of the top players in the BIG EAST. Adding to the team's scoring punch this season will be sophomore forward Keith Dorsey (Cranston, R.I.). Dorsey, one of the fastest players Ainscough has coached, will fight for a starting position at center forward. He missed all of last season with a knee injury, but showed signs in the spring that he was ready to contribute to the offense. Also returning to the offense will be sophomore forward Tom Blesso (Billerica, Mass.). Blesso was one of the first players off the bench last season, playing in 12 of the team's 19 games. The lone newcomer at the forward slot in 1999 will be freshman Todd Stigliano (Newington, Conn.). Stigliano, a fast, crafty player, will add depth to the forward position.
One of the team's strengths this season will be its experience and depth. This is best exemplified at the midfield position. PC's two leaders in the midfield, Eisenhut and McConville, have started for the Friars since their freshman seasons. Last year, Eisenhut had his best year at Providence, recording 13 points and leading the team in assists with seven. For his efforts, he earned Second Team All-BIG EAST accolades. Eisenhut is one of the best players to ever play at Providence. As with Eisenhut, McConville will be expected to serve as a leader for the Friars. He has excellent offensive skills. Last season, McConville finished third on the team in scoring with three goals and five assists. He will have to increase his scoring this season for the team to be successful.
Senior Chris Holterhoff (Wayne, N.J.) is the third senior in the Friar midfield. Holterhoff has gained significant experience with the Friars. In 1998, he played in all 19 games for PC, scoring two goals and adding two assists. Sophomore Andy Bussmann (Guilford, Conn.) is another experienced midfielder who had a strong year for the Friars in 1998. Despite missing his entire freshman season with a knee injury, Bussman stepped into the lineup last year and recorded three goals and four assists while starting all 19 games. Also returning to the midfield for PC will be junior Dane Smith (Wyoming, R.I.) and sophomore Russell Corner (Abington, Mass.). Despite injuring his hamstring, Smith played in eight games last season. He should fight for a starting position this season. Corner is a versatile player who will see time at midfield and forward. He had a strong freshman season, contributing with three goals and two assists in 18 games. Rounding out the midfield this season will be freshmen Paul Chase (Weymouth, Mass.), Bradford Dunn (Scituate, Mass.) and Tom Moran (W. Springfield, Mass.). Chase is the team's top recruit. He is a tireless worker and could be one of the top rookies in the league. As a senior at Weymouth High School, Chase netted 16 goals and added 12 assists and earned Boston Herald All-Scholastic honors. Dunn will add depth to the midfield. He had a strong career at Thayer Academy, registering 23 goals and 20 assists in three seasons. As a senior, Dunn earned Patriot Ledger All-Scholastic honors. Moran is a very quick player who should be an asset to the team. He has the ability to also play back or forward. In four years at West Springfield High School, Moran netted 18 goals and added 17 assists.
PC had one of the league's most improved defenses in 1998, dropping its goals against average 1.27 points from 1997. The strong play of the Friar defense should continue this year. Sophomore Kempes Corbally (Dublin, Ireland) will be looked upon to spearhead the backs. He had an outstanding rookie season for the black and white, starting all 19 games and earning BIG EAST All-Rookie honors. Head Coach Brian Ainscough believes he is one of the premier backs in the league. Corbally is joined by junior backs Matt O'Toole (Norwell, Mass.) and T.J. Casey (Milford, Conn.) to form a very strong returning backfield for PC. O'Toole was a solid performer at left back last season for the Friars. This season he could add more to the team's offense. Casey was one of the team's most consistent defenders last season. His tenacious play helped him earn a starting role in 1998. Senior Brian Evans (N. Branford, Conn.) and junior Jeremy Krause (Holliston, Mass.) will challenge for playing time. Evans, who was plagued by injuries last season, started four games for the Friars in 1998. Krause returned to the team in 1998 after sitting out his sophomore season and helped back up the defense and midfield. The defense will be bolstered this season by the addition of graduate student Derek Cobbe (Dublin, Ireland). Cobbe, a tough and aggressive defender, should be able to start at sweeper or in the midfield.
Although the team lost four-year starting goalkeeper Dan Pires to graduation, sophomore transfer Daniel Glynn (Cheadle, England) should fill the void created by the loss of Pires. Last season, Glynn backstopped Fairfield to one of its best seasons ever. Glynn recorded nine shutouts, a .93 goals against average and a .786 save percentage for the Stags. He should provide leadership in goal. Freshmen Michael Cardenas (Framingham, Mass.) and Michael Greulich (Cincinnati, Ohio) are two strong goalkeepers with excellence size. Both freshman will push for playing time.
This season the Friars will look to build upon the team's success in 1998. Junior Kevin Jones and seniors Michael Eisenhut and Andy McConville will be the key ingredient, bringing leadership and skill to the field for the Friars. The team has excellent depth and experience at all positions. The Friars could be ready to earn home field advantage for the BIG EAST Tournament and challenge for the conference crown.||
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