The men’s soccer team finished their 2008 season with a win, waving goodbye to many of their senior players. The team went 4-12-2 overall this season, defeating a tough SUNY Potsdam 4-3 on Oct. 25 to end the season. This cold, windy and rainy game, although final for some, will be memorable for all.

"It was a 4-3 mud bowl," said senior captain Drew Ketchum. This senior, not yet ready to turn in his jersey, has high hopes of returning to the field for another season.

"I’ve been a captain for three years. I’m not done though, I’m still going to play or try out at least," said Ketchum. "I hope to definitely coach college soccer someday. I would even love to come back to Morrisville and coach someday."

Senior Allan Schroeder returned to Morrisville this year for his fourth and final season. "I returned to play soccer because I knew here, I would be among familiar teammates and remain in a comfortable atmosphere where I could play well. I felt we were going to do very well this season because we had a large number of strong returning players," said Schroeder. "Emotions were running high the last game because we battled back and forth all 90 minutes. Once the final whistle blew, it was just a very overwhelming feeling of accomplishment for me."

"The last game of the season was not only important to me but it was very important to my family," Schroeder continued. "I was very proud of myself to play as well as I did and as long as I did, and to finish out the game with the other seniors, together."

Like Schroeder, senior captain Andrew Stoneburg has played on the men’s soccer team four consecutive seasons. "Being a captain for four seasons, I’ve had a chance to play with many of the same guys. I feel more comfortable playing on the field with my teammates. I know I can depend on them and they know the same for me," said Stoneburg.

Stoneburg, from local Chittenango, had an easy time adjusting to the coaching staff here at Morrisville. "It was a great honor to be coached by Coach Daviau, not only in high school, but for the past four years at Morrisville," Stoneburg continued. "I couldn’t have picked a better game to end my college soccer career on; it was a match to remember."

The men’s team, coached by Tom Daviau for the past six seasons, is losing a possible five players total, the majority being captains.

Along with Ketchum, Stoneburg and Schroeder, Andrey Tomoroksa and Matt Green are also seniors on the team.

Returning sophomore Eric Stein said, "I am proud of the comradely the team showed in their willingness to keep on fighting."

This season, Stein was moved from field to goal, playing keeper for the last game against Potsdam. "I like to help the team however I can," Stein added. "When coach asked me to switch positions, I didn’t hesitate to do as I’m told. I know coach, and he knows best."

Along with their win in the last game, the team beat Franciscan University, Hilbert College and Albany College of Pharmacy.

"Starting off the season winning the tournament in Buffalo gave us a good start for the season.." said Schroeder. "After a few games, we had a good idea of what the season was going to be like and how we were going to compete. "Once we started our matches in the SUNYAC conference, we lost our momentum pretty quickly. Later, we had a game outside the SUNYAC conference against Albany and we won.

"That was incentive to build up our confidence and gain momentum once again so we could finish the season."