The UB men's soccer team has made the Mid-American Conference playoffs for the past three seasons. But, after losing the core of last year's team, no one, not even head coach John Astudillo, is certain about what this season holds in store for the Bulls.
"If you were to ask me [if we can be as competitive as last year] four weeks from now I could tell you but right now I'm really not sure," said Astudillo.
The Bulls lost their top three players, Mike Peplinski, Brian Wozniak and Geoff Thompson, to graduation this spring. Wozniak was a four-year starter for the Bulls in goal and finished his career with the third best goals-against-average in school history (1.56). Thompson led the Bulls with seven goals and 14 points last season.
But, the biggest loss was that of Peplinski. Peplinski, who scored four goals and added two assists, served as team captain and was also a two-time All-MAC midfielder.
"No one in camp compares to Peplinski," said Astudillo. " He should have been MAC Player of the Year. If he had played forward, which is a more glamorous position, he would have won it."
With those three players gone the Bulls will look to senior Dave Pidgeon to step up his play. Pidgeon, a senior midfielder, finished last season with six points, which ranked him third in team scoring.
"I know Pidgeon will have a huge impact this season," said Astudillo. "It's up to others around him to come through for us."
Among those who Astudillo is counting on to step into the void left by last years seniors are current seniors Chris Varina, Patrick Beckley and Mike Geller.
Varina, like Pidgeon, has large shoes to fill this season. Last season Varina served as the backup goaltender, but this season he will see the majority of the playing time. While he allowed just three goals in 308 minutes of play and his .88 GAA is impressive, Varina still remains largely untested.
Beckley is the Bulls top returning forward. In 2001 he led the team in scoring with four goals and two assists. However, his production dropped last year as he scored one goal and two assists on the year. Astudillo hopes he can return to old form and lead the Bulls attack.
Geller, a midfielder, has started the past two years for the Bulls. He is one of the Bulls top defenders and will help lead the younger Bulls defenders.
Among the younger players the Bulls will count on to continue their development are defensemen Cheick Diarra and Matt Stuczynski. The two were UB's co-Newcomers of the Year last season. Additionally, junior midfielder Justin Higgins is expected to help out on the offensive end. Higgins scored two goals last season for the Bulls.
The first test for the new-look Bulls comes this weekend at the Duquesne tournament, where the Bulls will face Duquesne and Temple. The tournament will be a true test for the Bulls as Duquesne was the Atlantic-10 conference runner up last season and Temple is another A-10 team looking to make a name for themselves.
The Bulls will open their home schedule against Central Connecticut State Friday, September 5, at RAC Field. That game is part of the Buffalo Fall Classic tournament. The tournament will also feature Canisius College and Wright State.
While all these games mean something, the Bulls biggest, most important test will come against Akron.
"That game is the game that will make or break us," said Astudillo. "I know the next game is the most important, but this the one we're looking forward to. My plan is to beat the hell out of them."
Akron is a special game for UB not only because they won the MAC title last year, but they were also the team to knock the Bulls out of the conference playoffs. Add the fact that the Zips are also the number one team, along with Kentucky, in the preseason MAC poll and you can see why UB has September 27th circled on the calendar.
That day, just about four weeks from now, is when Astudillo and everyone else will know just what kind of team this year's Bulls are.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
