As Marist men’s soccer continues its early-season road trip against formidable non-conference opponents, we gathered our soccer writers to analyze the state of the program entering 2024.
Who out of the incoming recruiting class of 2024 has intrigued you the most?
Luke Sassa, Men’s Soccer Beat Writer: Graduate student goalkeeper Jamie Lowell. Lowell now makes three goalkeepers in three years for the program. After the team’s championship season in 2021, stalwart Samuel Ilin ran out of eligibility, paving the way for Luca Bulfon to take over in goal.
Bulfon averaged 1.41 goals against last season but ran out of eligibility. Lowell now steps in for Marist after starting 25 contests at the University of Maryland, where he averaged 1.16 goals against. He initially had Marist put on his radar by former Marist and Maryland attacker Stefan Copetti.
Lowell struggled against tough competition early on. While his side played a man down for 85 minutes, Lowell ceded four goals in the season opener to Big 10 opponent Wisconsin. Lowell then allowed six scores to a Big East team in Marquette, while allowing three more in an ensuing loss to Cornell. He did rebound by shutting out the Black Knights in Marist’s 1-0 win over Army. The real test for Lowell will come against MAAC conference teams that provide more even matchups for the Red Foxes.
Beyond his raw abilities, head coach Matt Viggiano cited Lowell’s role as a vocal leader, even suggesting that he is the most vocal goalkeeper he has coached at Marist. Lowell’s teammates have responded positively to his leadership, as they voted him as one of their three team captains for 2024.
Marley Pope, Men’s Soccer Beat Editor: Aidan Arber, a junior midfielder transferring from Syracuse, has started in all three Marist games so far being deployed on the right wing/midfield in a 4-2-3-1 formation. That spot was held down last year by captain Jared Juleau, who led the team in points in 2023 (five goals, three assists). The Red Foxes have a gap to fill in the scoring department, and so far have not found answers with only two goals across five games. Hopefully, Arber can help shoulder some of the scoring as he grows into his new team.
Sierra Fisher, Contributor: Junior midfielder and spring 2024 transfer from Syracuse, Aidan Arber, is one to watch out for this season. Arber comes from a high-level program as a member of the Syracuse team in 2022 when they clinched the ACC regular season champions, ACC Tournament Champions, and ultimately the NCAA Men’s Soccer National Champions. Arber has the experience and knowledge of playing the game of soccer at the highest collegiate level and can bring that mentality to the Foxes this season.
Arber has been a starter for Marist every game thus far, scoring against Marquette early on and proving to be a solution for a goal-scoring gap created by the exit of graduating players. While the team hasn’t seen much success in their non-conference games early this season, Arber can help score goals and assist his teammates once they begin playing against MAAC teams.
Stephen Zaglin, Contributor: The Verhuel brothers, Gijs and Chris, are from the Netherlands and two of Viggiano’s newest freshmen recruits that create excitement for the Red Foxes.
Gijs Verhuel played for amateur club DZC ’68 in the Netherlands on the first team and the U19 Netherlands national team. He excels at winning 50-50 balls as a center back, yet can play out from the back for counter-attack play if needed.
Chris Verhuel, on the other hand, is a forward/midfielder, which gives him an impressive amount of versatility for someone of his age. He played for VV DOVO in the Dutch fourth division of soccer, playing over 30 matches in his career. The freshman is also a fantastic goal scorer, tallying five goals in 27 appearances for his Dutch club.
Even though the Verheul brothers are both freshmen, I do not doubt they will make an impact quickly and be contributors to the Red Foxes this year.
Luke Reistle, Contributor: Incoming freshman Caio Cavaletti seems like an intriguing prospect who already has loads of experience at age 22.
Born in Fortaleza, Brazil, Caio grew up playing in some of his home country’s biggest youth academies, such as Ceara Sporting Club, Juazeiro Soccer Clube and Next Level Academy. In addition to his experience in Brazil, Caio most recently played three seasons in Portugal for two different youth teams. Cavaletti’s experience in two other continents should set him up perfectly to become a captivating player here at Marist.
Although he has only appeared in four of Marist’s five games, the attacking midfielder’s speed and drive should be something to look out for in future outings. Cavaletti’s ability to challenge players and set up chances could become a huge addition to the Marist attack for games to come.
Who is the biggest X-factor on the 2024 roster?
Luke Sassa: An X-factor refers to a player who can have an unpredictable and significant impact on a team’s performance. No player meets this criteria quite like senior forward Richard Morel.
Morel burst onto the scene as a sophomore, making 10 starts and chipping in four goals before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. In 2023, Morel returned to the field to make 14 starts, finishing the year tied with Jared Juleau for the team lead in goals (5).
In the season opener against Wisconsin, Morel only played 14 minutes off the bench and did not sub in until the 23rd minute. Morel once again came off the bench against Marquette, although his playing time tripled as he played 41 minutes. Morel finally cracked the starting lineup against Cornell and played 71 minutes, followed by 77 minutes with a shot on goal in their most recent matchup against UAlbany.
As Morel continues to ramp up before MAAC play, the question remains whether he can provide the same production he has in the past. One thing is clear: this Marist squad could certainly use it, as their young lineup has only produced two goals in five matches.
Marley Pope: As previously mentioned, Marist needs to find players who can create scoring chances and give opposing defenses headaches the way Juleau did last season. One player who possessed the talent to make it happen is sophomore midfielder Kyle Evans. Evans immediately started for the Red Foxes last year as a center-attacking midfielder, the player tasked with unlocking the defense. Evans scored his first goal in his home debut last year as a freshman and showed tons of promise.
However, Evans could not sustain his scoring and ended the season with one goal and one assist. Now healthy after an off-season injury, Evans is crucial to giving Marist a spark on offense. His ability to dribble in tight spaces and high-level vision can provide prime scoring opportunities for Marist this year.
Sierra Fisher: The X-factor to me this season is not just one person, but rather the freshmen brothers from the Netherlands: Gijs and Chris Verheul. The brothers–Chris Verhuel being a forward/midfielder and Gijs Verhuel being a defender, bring that X-factor variable that the team has been looking for.
The freshmen brothers still have some learning to do in understanding playing soccer at the collegiate level, but regardless have been able to showcase their talents and should continue to do so as the season goes on and they gain more experience.
Stephen Zaglin: Junior Skyler Cunha has been one of two goal scorers this season for the Red Foxes. The expression “Availability is the best ability” best categorizes what Cunha has done since making the team as a freshman. In the 2022 season, he played in eight matches (started six) and tallied a total of 516 minutes, which is impressive for a freshman. During the 2023 season, Cunha not only served as team captain (as a sophomore nonetheless) but also appeared and started in 16 matches.
In those 16 matches, Cunha had two goals and a team-high three assists. He finished tied for third on the team for seven total points. To top off the season, Cunha was named to the All-MAAC third team. I believe his experience and playing ability will help right the ship early in the 2024 season, and he will end up as one of Marist’s consistent and best performers.
Luke Reistle: One player who plays a significant role for the Red Foxes is senior midfielder Jørgen Thue Kristiansen. Born in Norway, the University of South Florida transfer started in 15 of Marist’s 16 games in his first season with the Red Foxes, where he racked up two goals from midfield and played the fourth-most minutes of any player on the team.
Kristiansen’s experience and physicality are vital for the team, as they look to seek their first MAAC victory against
Which player do you view as a breakout candidate in 2024?
Luke Sassa: The answer has to be sophomore midfielder Kyle Evans. Evans’ ample developmental experience has him well-positioned to climb in year two.
Coming into Marist, he had spent over half a decade playing for the New York Red Bulls professional development academy, playing every minute during the 2022 MLS NEXT quarterfinals. After graduating high school early, he played over 1,000 minutes during his freshman year as one of the youngest players in the MAAC, gaining invaluable experience in the process.
Now that he is a year older, Evan should continue to see more opportunities to contribute. Evans has started all three matches this season and has seen his playing time creep upward, as he played a full 90 minutes against Cornell while reeling off a pair of shots. As Evans continues to mature, Marist will hope not only for his scoring output to increase but also for his playmaking abilities to improve, demonstrating an ability to set up his teammates during his time with the Red Bulls.
Marley Pope: Sophomore defender Nick Sanchez became a vital starter from the jump last season and finished second on the team in minutes (1454). As a fullback, Sanchez is a danger when getting into the attack and combined with Juleau on numerous occasions to open up space and get crosses into the box.
Sanchez did not register any goals or assists last season, but with a year under his belt, expect him to take another step and be a threat offensively. Sanchez is also a great defender, unafraid to get stuck in and has good recovery speed to sweep away opposing chances.
Sierra Fisher: Sophomore midfielder Kyle Evans has been gearing up for a breakout season since coming to Marist. Evans has dealt with numerous injuries throughout his collegiate career that have helped develop him into who he is as a player today.
Evans has been an impactful playmaker from the jump but has yet to reach his full potential. During his freshman season, he was able to start in 13 games and add one goal and one assist to his resume. This season, Evans has started in every game and once again proven his ability to make a difference on the field, which is detrimental to his development as a full-time member of the Red Foxes.
Stephen Zaglin: Many players coming into this season I believe are due for a breakout. Sophomore midfielder Kyle Evans might be the most due. With a season under his belt, he now has the ability to break out his sophomore year.
While Evans hasn’t scored so far in the 2024 season, he saw an increase in both minutes (70, 80, 90) and shots (zero, one, and two) in the first three games of the season, earning full minutes in the last three games. He’s finding footing as an attacking midfielder (two shots against UAlbany), but can keep his composure in formation as a midfielder. As long as he can consistently keep possession and make well-timed passes, everything else should fall into place, which is why Evans is my pick.
Luke Reistle: Incoming freshman Chris Verheul has to be someone to look out for. Having come to Marist from the Netherlands this year alongside his brother, Chris Verheul broke into the starting 11 from the jump. Mainly an attacker in Marist’s first four games, Chris Verheul has already looked dangerous, despite still getting used to a new country and team.
With the top goal scorer last season Juleau gone, the Red Foxes will need young players to step up with goals and assists. Last season while playing in the fourth tier of Dutch soccer, Chris Verheul scored five goals while also providing three assists in his 27 appearances. If he can deliver something similar this year, Chris Verhuel will definitely be a breakout player for Marist.
Predict the team’s overall and conference records for the 2024 season!
Luke Sassa: As Viggiano acknowledged in a recent interview with Center Field, there is still much to be determined regarding how this team will operate in 2024. Roles must be sorted out, an identity must be forged, and most importantly, Marist’s young players must take a step forward.
Somewhat remarkably, the Red Foxes managed to snag the last spot in the MAAC tournament last year despite starting five or six freshmen regularly. Now that these players are a year older and with the program adding upperclassmen pieces such as junior defender/midfielder Aidan Arber, Viggiano is banking on incremental improvements leading to success.
This reality is reflected in the MAAC coaches’ preseason poll, as Marist clocked in at fifth in the rankings, one spot ahead of their sixth-place finish in the 2023 standings. Given their rough 1-4 start, the team’s search for an identity and what lies in front of them, I predict that Marist will finish with a 1-5-1 non-conference record.
Fortunately for the Red Foxes, the majority of their MAAC schedule features matches against opponents ranked behind them in the preseason poll. As a result, I predict they will go 4-3-1 in MAAC play, giving them an overall record of 5-8-2. A key match on the schedule will occur on Oct. 19 on the road against Quinnipiac, which enters this season ranked sixth in the poll; the results of this match may have serious implications late in the season come MAAC tournament time.
Marley Pope: Last season Marist finished with an overall record of 6-8-3 and a MAAC record of 4-4-2. Sitting at 1-4, Marist will have a 2-5-1 non-conference record and a 3-3-2 MAAC record to have an overall record of 5-8-3. I think Marist will finish middle of the pack where the preseason poll places them.
There is tons of talent on this team, but Viggiano has to find where everyone fits before the Red Foxes can compete for the MAAC title. With a generous outlook on the youth of the team and the new veterans coming together well, Marist can finish in the top four and possibly host a playoff game in November. At the same time, talent does not always equate to results, and the Red Foxes will have to prove what they are capable of on the field.
Sierra Fisher: The release of the preseason poll had the Red Foxes ranked fifth in the MAAC coming out of the 2023 season. The Foxes finished 6-8-3 for their season record, with a MAAC record of 4-4-2. A large freshman class and experienced grad transfers will be to the team’s benefit, as they will gain new perspectives and fresh faces that have been needed to elevate the team to a higher level.
Marist is currently sitting at 1-4 to start their season, yet they have not faced any conference teams who will truly test where they are against similar competition. Marist will have a 3-4-1 non-conference record, an overall record of 7-7-2 and a respective 4-3-1 record for the MAAC conference games.
Stephen Zaglin: After a preseason poll answered by coaches, the majority (112 votes) had Marist finishing in fifth place. Last season, the Red Foxes finished with an overall record of 6-8-3 along with a 4-4-2 record in the MAAC (sixth in 2023).
Marist are currently 1-4 overall. Because of that, they are already fighting an uphill battle leading up to their home opener against the University of Albany on September 9. I believe Marist will finish with a 4-9-3 record overall and a 3-4-1 record in the MAAC.
Luke Reistle: Coming off a sixth-place finish in the MAAC last season, the 2024 coaches’ poll has Marist finishing in fifth. While a 1-4 start to the season may not look promising or instill confidence in the team, I believe the Red Foxes will bounce back to end with a promising overall record of 4-8-4.
This Marist team is still relatively young with a few experienced additions. In conference play, I believe Marist will put up a respectable 3-3-2 record which could hopefully mean a spot in the tournament just like last season.
Edited by Dan Aulbach and Hayden Shapiro
Graphic by Kira Crutcher
Photo from Marist Athletics, Kira Crutcher & Ricky Bassman
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