Men's Soccer—Season Overview

2011 Season Recap
The Colby College men's soccer team made it three in a row and 11 in a row during the 2011 season.
 
The Mules made the New England Small College Athletic Conference playoffs for the third straight season and the squad earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for the 11th straight season. Colby has the longest streak of being honored with the academic award than any other men's soccer team in the conference.
 
On the field, Colby finished with a 7-7-1 overall record and won the Colby-Bates-Bowdoin (CBB) title with victories over Bowdoin (2-0) and the Bobcats (3-2). The Mules played well on the road during the season --- winning the game against the Polar Bears, knocking off then 18th-ranked Middlebury in overtime (1-0), and losing just 1-0 to a strong Williams squad. Colby also was 2-0-1 in overtime contests.
 
Head coach Mark Serdjenian earned his 250th career win at Colby in a 4-0 victory over Southern Maine.
 
Junior midfielder Andrew Meisel was an All-New England and All-NESCAC selection with three goals and four assists for 10 points from his central midfield position. Eric Barthold, a senior, led the Mules in scoring with five goals on just 19 shots (.263 shot percentage) and one assist. Junior forward Nick Aubin added two goals and three assists for seven points.
 
Senior co-captains Matt Boyes-Watson and Cory Hendrickson led the defense along with junior Nick Nowak. Meisel and Nowak will be the captains of the 2012 team.
 
The Mules had four goalies on the roster, with Ben Joslin playing most of the miniutes and recording a 6-5-1 record. 

2011 Season Outlook

Colby College had its highest finish ever in the New England Small College Athletic Conference men's soccer playoffs when the Mules secured the fifth seed in the league playoffs last year. With its top six scorers back and key returnees on defense and in goal, Colby aims for a third straight conference playoff spot.

Colby head coach Mark Serdjenian, back for his 36th year for the Mules, is four wins away from 250 career victories.

"We're pleased with the tremendous fitness and attitude of both the returnees and the newcomers to the program in the early going," Serdjenian said. "The blend of upperclassmen leadership and youthful energy is exciting for the coaching staff and we look forward to the opener against Connecticut College."

Senior co-captains Matthew Boyes-Watson and Cory Hendrickson both started at the wing back positions last year. The Mules also return starter Nick Nowak to the center of the defense. First-year players Jon Bengtson and Blake Korn are two of the players battling for the other central defense spot.

Andrew Meisel (2 goals, 5 assists last year) and Chris Pratt both return as central midfielders. Jeremy Lachtrupp, Donny MacMaster, and Eric Barthold will be outside midfielders. First-year players Charlie Dupee and Keith Chernin can also play on the flank, while sophomore Grey Benjamin will receive important minutes in the center of the  midfield.

Nick Aubin led Colby in scoring last year with five goals and two assists for 12 points and returns at forward along with Nate Tolman (3 goals). First-year Jon Stronach has shown promise in the pre-season.

Ben Joslin saw the majority of minutes in goal last year and will return along with Josh Richards. First-year keepers Peter Quayle and Cody Funkhouser will push for minutes and give Colby plenty of depth in goal.