SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. – The Skidmore College men's soccer team looks to take the next step, with the goal of a Liberty League Championship in mind in the 2017 season. The Thoroughbreds begin their quest at home, with Marywood coming in for a 7 p.m. contest at Wachenheim Field on Friday, Sept. 1.
 
Skidmore comes off a 7-7-4 record last season, making a run down the stretch to reach the Liberty League Championship game for the third time in four seasons.
 
The Thoroughbreds return a veteran group despite losing NSCAA All-American defender Adebare Oyeniyi to graduation. Offensively, Skidmore returns 92 percent of its scoring from last season, led by the senior duo of forward Kevin Santos and midfielder Augustine Okoye. Santos, a co-captain, led the Thoroughbreds in scoring with 21 points (eight goals, five assists) in 13 games, earning his first NSCAA All-East Region honor of his career. Okoye added eight goals and a pair of assists for 18 points, as both men earned All-Liberty League honors. Sophomores Alex Ricci and Kyle Barrett look to balance the forward rotation after coming off solid rookie campaigns.
 
Seniors Brennan Mitrolka and co-captain Bryan Lonergan will look to patrol the midfield with Okoye. The veteran trio will be flanked by juniors Mike Park and Ben Zieff and sophomore David Braman to form one of the more seasoned groups in the conference.
 
On defense, co-captain Ben Poole looks to lead the group, joining fellow juniors Ben Caples and Noah Lehrecke, as well as sophomore Will Greening, at center. Senior Jeremy Tenenbaum, sophomores, Manuel Arango and Travis Perls, and freshman Josh Ridenhour will give the Thoroughbreds much needed speed and technical ability as outside backs.
 
In goal, the Thoroughbreds have four capable goalies battling for the starting spot after the graduation of All-League player Derrick Yam. Junior Pearse Martin and sophomore Sebastian Bosch are joined by freshmen Carter Dutton-Kneaves and Jon Bile as the team looks towards another strong season in net.