2017 Clarkson Men's Soccer Preview

With the return of seven starters, including 87% of the team's offense from last year, the Clarkson University Men's Soccer team is looking to have its offensive output match the stellar defense from 2016 to help the Golden Knights claim their first Liberty League post-season appearance this fall.

The Golden Knights have 19 players back for 2017 and are boosted by the presence of 10 newcomers, including a talented freshman class that is expected to contribute almost immediately. Unfortunately, fourth-year head coach Chris Taylor and first-year assistant Eric Venezia lead a team that the hometown fans won't be able to see until mid-September as Clarkson's first six games are on the road, beginning this weekend in Massachusetts when the Knights take on Wheaton College and Babson College.

2017 Clarkson Men's Soccer Roster

2017 Clarkson Men's Soccer Schedule

2016 Clarkson Men's Soccer Statistics

Clarkson will certainly feel the departure of starting goalkeeper Michael King, a Liberty League First-Team All-Star and D3soccer.com Third-Team All-American, but the Golden Knights defense had a considerable hand in keeping opponents at bay outside of King. The Clarkson defense allowed just 13 goals in 16 games in 2016, ranking in the top 35 nationally in both goals against average and shutout percentage, holding the opposition scoreless in eight contests. The Knights will attempt to replace King with a trio of keepers, led by big-bodies Ian Roeloffs and Noah Bell as well as Riley McDonald, who split time with King two years ago in his freshman season.

Junior James Homan, a Liberty League Second-Team All-Star, will lead the Clarkson defensive corps that also includes seniors Josh Eidem and Justin Packard. In addition to that trio, the Knights defense will be bolstered by several newcomers that could make the Knights even stingier in 2017.

Though the Knights produced just 16 goals in 2016, they were fortunate enough to only lose one goal scorer from last year to graduation. Senior Kevin Calnan, a Liberty League First-Team All-Star, led the team with 14 points on five goals and four assists, and sophomore Aidan Subra showed plenty of early promise with nine points thanks to four goals and one assist. Three more goals came from Subra's classmates as the group flashed a knack for finding the back of the net.

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Players Mentioned

#1 Michael King: GK; 6' 0"; Senior

#12 Kevin Calnan: F; 5' 9"; Senior

#4 Josh Eidem: D; 5' 8"; Senior

#19 James Homan: D; 5' 10"; Junior

#1 Riley McDonald: GK; 5' 9"; Junior

#27 Justin Packard: D; 5' 9"; Senior

#13 Ian Roeloffs: GK; 6' 4"; Sophomore

#8 Aidan Subra: F; 5' 9"; Sophomore

#30 Noah Bell: GK; 6' 5"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

#1 Michael King
: 6' 0"; Senior
: GK

#12 Kevin Calnan
: 5' 9"; Senior
: F

#4 Josh Eidem
: 5' 8"; Senior
: D

#19 James Homan
: 5' 10"; Junior
: D

#1 Riley McDonald
: 5' 9"; Junior
: GK

#27 Justin Packard
: 5' 9"; Senior
: D

#13 Ian Roeloffs
: 6' 4"; Sophomore
: GK

#8 Aidan Subra
: 5' 9"; Sophomore
: F

#30 Noah Bell
: 6' 5"; Freshman
: GK