Due West, S.C. – With added depth to the squad, Head Men's Soccer Coach Warren Turner is optimistic that the Flying Fleet can secure their first conference championship since moving to the NCAA Division II ranks in 1995. The Fleet will once again prove to be a difficult team to score upon but with additional firepower up top, Erskine is poised to make a run at their first conference title.
Fellow conference coaches also see the Fleet as a top contender. The Fleet were voted 2nd in the recent Conference Carolinas Preseason Coaches' Poll and received one first place vote. Defending regular season and tournament champion, Limestone College, was voted to win the conference title again this season.
The Flying Fleet return seven starters from last year's team, including three all-conference players in senior goalkeeper, Roberto De La Vina (Oviedo, Spain, San Ignacio), junior striker Andrew Settlemire (Beaufort, SC, Beaufort High School), and sophomore midfielder Ross Henderson (Lincoln, England). The Fleet also bring back five other players who started and/or played significant minutes last year.
Defensively, Erskine returns not only their all-conference goalkeeper but also all four starters on the back row. Last year the back row was a weakness with three first-year starters, including two freshmen. But last year's experience now turns into an asset forthe Flying Fleet. SeniorP.C. Henry (Myrtle Beach, SC, Myrtle Beach Christian), who played his best soccer last year, anchors the back row while junior Daniel Beaty (Lexington, SC, Lexington High School) and sophomores Jonathan Clark (Aberdeen, Kincorth Academy) and Dimitri Minick (Orange Park, FL, Orange Park High School) look to start for their second collegiate season.
In the midfield, the Fleet lost team captain and four-time all-conference player Jack Kimber to graduation. However, Henderson had a superb freshman campaign, scoring four goals, including two game-winners, while assisting on two others, in earning all-conference honors. Also returning at midfield is junior Jonathan Rutter (Birmingham, England, Fairfax),who was all-conference two years ago and led the team in assists with four last year. Junior Peter Savarese (Summerville, SC, Pinewood Preparatory School) a starter two years ago as a freshman, looks to return to the pitch after missing last season with an injury.
Offensively the Fleet will rely on Settlemire to provide the offensive spark. The two-time all-conference honoree has led the Fleet the last two seasons, scoring nine goals each year. Junior Luke Boyce (Lincoln, England) returns after missing last season due to injury. Two years ago, the Lincoln, England native had four goals and four assists for the Flying Fleet.
Although the Fleet have only had one week of practice thus far, several newcomers have made an early impression on Coach Turner. Junior transfer Victor Nirennold (Rennes, France) will complement Settlemire at striker while freshman Zach Gantt (West Columbia, SC) ould also see playing time up front. In the midfield, freshmen Isaiah McCullough (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Shattuck-Saint Marys School), Tobias Betz (Schongeising, Germany) and Reid Windmiller (Peachtree City, GA, McIntosh High School) are making a statement for playing time while freshman Ugo Galtier (Corenc, France) is forcing his way into the discussion at back.
Erskine opens their 2013 campaign at home against archrival Anderson University on Thursday, September 5th. Kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
Team Roster
Team Schedule
