The Hobart College soccer team will begin the 2014 season against nationally-ranked Brandeis in the 2014 Keene State College Soccer Classic. The Statesmen will face the No. 17 Judges on Saturday, Aug. 30 at 1 p.m., and then take on Lasell on Sunday, Aug. 31 at 12:30 p.m. to wrap up the weekend in Keene, New Hampshire.
 
Hobart is looking to build on 2013 which saw them post an 11-8-1 overall record, the team's eighth consecutive winning season. The Statesmen closed out last fall with an appearance in the ECAC Metro Tournament. In 2013, Hobart ranked second in the Liberty League in points (103), goals (38) and assists (27).
 
"This year it's important for us to be deep at every position and to have a deep fitness base to be able to play our high pressure style of soccer," said Hobart Soccer Head Coach Shawn Griffin. "We also have focused on having a strong team mentality this year."
 
Griffin, who beings his 15th season at the helm of the Hobart soccer program, returns 22 players from last season's roster, including four of his top five scorers and welcomes six newcomers to the squad.
 
"As a class the first-years have been impressive from Day 1," said Griffin. "They've brought tremendous experience from playing at a high level and have made immediate contributions. They're a talented group who have added a nice piece to our team culture. In addition, we have a solid group of leaders in our returners which includes three second-year captains and five seniors."
 
Here's a look at this year's Statesmen by position:
 
MIDFIELD
 
Hobart returns a strong group of midfielders this year, which will be anchored by 2013 all-league selection and second-year captain, junior Marco Ronning. Ronning started all 19 games he played in and added a team-high five assists. Juniors DJ Clark, Jacob Fox, Zico Gaeffke, TJ Kaszubski, and Kyle Wiatrowski bring more experience at the midfield. Fox,  the 2012 Liberty League Rookie of the Year, scored three goals last fall and played in all but one game. Also contributing on the offensive end, Clark posted two goals and an assist in 2013 while Wiatrowski chipped in a goal and an assist. Gaeffke logged an assist and Kaszubski scored one goal before being sidelined by an injury.
 
Sophomores Joseph Busuttil, Clint Dunn, JP White and Carl Weiss will look to build on solid rookie seasons. Busutill ranked second on the team with five goals and 10 points. White saw time in all 20 games and produced two goals and two assists, and Dunn played in eight matches. Weiss played in all but one match and added two assists. First-years Adrian Colmenares and Zach Poretz bring more talent and depth at midfield for the Statesmen.
 
DEFENSE
 
Hobart brings back six on defense. Seniors Ryan Farrell, Kyle Herod and Oddmund Nesbakk will be the leaders at the position. Nesbakk started all 18 games he played in, adding a goal, and Farrell saw action in 15 matches and scored one goal. Herod, a second-year captain, was sidelined by injury last fall. Juniors Chris Walker-Jacks and Chris Poggi will play important roles in this year's defensive unit alongside sophomore Josh Vendetta. Walker-Jacks played 13 games, starting 12 in 2013 and Poggi played in five and notched an assist. Vendetta appeared in 11 games, starting six and scored his first collegiate goal in a win over Nazareth. First-year Joseph Escamilla will also be a part of the Statesmen defensive unit this fall.
 
FORWARD
 
At forward, Hobart returns senior Bernard Abagali, junior Tyler Terens and sophomore Sean Barry. Abagali will guide Hobart offensively. The 2013 All-Region selection and ECAC All-Star started all 20 games last year and ranked second on the team with 10 points on three goals and four assists. Terens added a goal and two assists and Barry logged two goals. First-years Patrick Schulz and Nick Dosky will also look to make an impact on the offensive end.
 
GOALKEEPERS
 
The Statesmen will carry three goalkeeprs with season. Senior captain Mike Lucas started 15 games in goal last year and recorded a 1.57 goals against average and a .691 save percentage. His record in goal was 6-8-1 and he notched two shutouts. Junior Tyler Serafine saw time in 10 games last fall, starting five. He posted a 0.60 goals against average and a .871 save percentage to go along with a 5-0-0 record in goal. Serafine also tallied two shutouts. They will be joined by first-year Morgan Sawyer who led Jamesville DeWitt to the Section III Class A championship game last season.
 
After taking part in the Keene State College Soccer Classic this weekend, the Statesmen will host Plattsburgh State for their first home game on Cozzens Field on Saturday, Sept. 6 at 2 p.m. Hobart will open Liberty League play when it travels to take on No. 7 St. Lawrence in Canton, N.Y., on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m.