SMITHFIELD, RI – The Bryant University men’s soccer team, is set to begin the 2022 season on Thursday in a road matchup against UT Rio Grande Valley. The Black and Gold finished with a 2-2-2 record during the 2021 spring season.
This year a mix of youth and depth will be a significant strength for the Bulldogs as the Black and Gold have 19 newcomers and 39 total players on the team.
Forwards
Last season Bryant forwards accounted for 71% of the goals scored. Senior Captain Nick Awada leads the way, as he played in 14 games last year, recording one goal and two assists. Kyle Mabe, Luis Fernando Paúl, Barnaby Brandon, and Matthew Bilan round out the rest of the returners. The four Bulldogs combined for 49 games, four goals, and five assists.
Midfielders
The midfielders are led by senior captain Diego Rodriguez, who was named to the All-NEC second team in 2021. Classmate Samuel D’Agostino also made the second team. Matt Supczack, Jake Spaulding, David Medeiros, Keegan Reim, Camron Lawrence, and All-NEC rookie team member Digger Iqbal complete the returning midfielders. The position returns 81 games played, 36 starts, five goals, and eight assists.
Defense
The defense brings back junior Captain Abdel Talabi, who scored his first career goal last year, senior Andrew Buss, and sophomores Landon Sartori and Christian Godinho. Last season the returning defenders played in 25 games. Luca Marinelli is the only returning goalkeeper from the previous year. Marinelli made two starts tallying five saves.
Newcomers
Quinnipiac junior transfer Antreas Hadjigavriel and freshmen Alex Ard, Brooklyn Baker, Jacob Blanchard, Sean Bruer, Ryan Doherty, Jakob Friedman, Adam Kozubal, Will Levine, Christien Merritt, David Nuricumbo, Avery Overstreet, Jack Polke, Daimon Pollard, Michael Riordan, Garrett Smith, Kade Thornton, Matthew Warbrick, and Jaiden Willems will enter their first year as a Bulldog.