2022 Point Men’s Soccer Preview
WEST POINT, Ga. (Aug. 18, 2022) – Coming off the most successful season in Point University men's soccer program history, the Skyhawks are anxious to begin the 2022 season on Saturday, Aug. 20, at Southeastern University. The Skyhawks, who won the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Championship in 2021, were picked sixth in the AAC preseason poll.
"Being reigning AAC Champions has helped keep us focused on being prepared for this season," Head Coach Mark Wozniak shared. "We know that nothing will come easy this Fall, but we also believe in our quality as a team to achieve success again."
A look at last season
Men's soccer entered AAC postseason play as the No. 6 seed. The Skyhawks finished the AAC regular season 8-5 and went on to face Reinhardt in the tournament's quarterfinal round. The Skyhawks upset the Eagles 1-0 and went on to defeat Montreat in the semifinal match 1-0 to advance to face Tennessee Wesleyan in the championship game. After 110 minutes of action, the Bulldogs and Skyhawks ended the game tied 2-2, and a shootout determined the winner of the championship matchup.
Point defeated TWU 5-3 in penalty kicks to earn the conference title and their first appearance to the NAIA Men's Soccer National Championship. The Skyhawks traveled to Columbia, Missouri, and entered the NAIA opening round as the No. 4 seed in the Columbia bracket. Point faced host and No. 1 seed Columbia and fell to the Cougars 3-0.
The Skyhawks were led in their 2021 campaign by Jeronimo Leguizamon (AAC Player of the Year) Julio Gomes, Lorenzo Delvecchio, Julien Sagnol, Facundo Palacio and Pablo Sanz Diez.
On the roster this season
The Skyhawks return 24 members from last year's squad and have brought in 16 newcomers. Returners who Wozniak expects to lead the team this season includes senior Diego Espino, junior Zane Whitehead, and sophomores Tommy Eskew and David Cho. Newcomers that Wozniak hopes to make an immediate impact includes Luca Ganio-Mego, Max Paul Busnel, and Diogo Palhoto.
"We have a solid group of returners and newcomers," Wozniak said. "So far this preseason, I have seen the players very focused and training with great intensity, which makes every practice very competitive. The chemistry has been very good so far, which is great since we have a bigger incoming class, and the new faces have brought a lot of energy to the team."
Wozniak is entering his fourth year at the helm of the men's soccer program and has brought in a new coaching staff to assist him in the season ahead. Roberto Yepez joins the program as an assistant coach, and Brantley Estes joins as a graduate assistant.
"My new assistants have been great to work with, and I have enjoyed seeing their fresh perspective on the players and how we do things as a program," Wozniak said. "It keeps me challenged to continue to improve and develop my coaching, and I am excited to share the season with them."
On the pitch this season
Point will compete in 17 games this season, with 13 AAC matchups. The Skyhawks open the season at Southeastern, then host Keiser on Tuesday, Aug. 30. Following their home opener, the Skyhawks will compete in a Labor Day Weekend round robin at Georgia Gwinnett facing Georgia Gwinnett on Saturday, Sept. 3 and Life University on Monday, Sept. 5.
Point will then turn its attention to AAC play as they host St. Andrews on Saturday, Sept. 10, inside River Bowl Stadium. Point's final regular season game will be on Saturday, Oct. 29, at Bluefield. Senior Day will be against Kentucky Christian on Saturday, Oct. 22. This will also be Point's Homecoming.
Season's focus
Some of the Skyhawks' goals this season include getting back to the national tournament through a direct bid or an at-large bid, having 10 clean sheets, conceding less than 15 goals, and hosting a conference tournament game. The phrase the team has incorporated to help stay focused on their goals is "not satisfied." Wozniak shared that as a team, they do not want to be satisfied with what was accomplished last season and are determined to continue working to get better and improve this year.