POTSDAM -- After two seasons of fast starts, the Clarkson University Men’s Soccer team is ready to maintain that momentum into the conference slate.

The Golden Knights lost just two of their first nine games in 2010, and two of their first eight games in 2009, but both years Clarkson has been unable to keep the victories rolling once it started facing Liberty League foes.

The fact isn’t lost on third-year head coach Nick Hillary and assistant coach Ian Fairlie, and picking up those wins when they truly count is at the top of their list of goals coming into the 2011 campaign.

The Golden Knights completed the 2010 season with a record of 6-8-2 overall, but just 1-6-0 in the Liberty League. With a revamped conference that has two new teams, reaching the conference tournament at the end of the season just got tougher, but Clarkson’s roster is built upon veteran youth with plenty of experience that could turn the tables quickly on the opposition in Liberty League.

Leading the way are senior captains Tobin Boomer (Louisville, KY) and Matt Konecnik (Waterford, NY). The two have been through three quick starts and are ready to lead the Knights to consistent winning ways. Boomer was one of the team’s leading scorers as a junior, and Konecnik was labeled as a Liberty League All-Star.

Unfortunately, the Knights will be without Konecnik’s leadership and fine play for the start of the season, as he recovers from injury.

Joining Boomer up front are several veterans, as well as a solid group of newcomers. Junior assistant captain Vittorio Partesano (Glastonbury, CT) was on the shelf with injury for some of the 2010 season, but appears ready to step up his game as an upperclassman. Classmate Bryan Malone (Tully, NY) has ample size for headers in front of the goal and could prove valuable on corner kicks.

Senior Daena Moulton (King City, ONT) has had to battle injuries since transferring to Clarkson, but he hopes to be back on the field as a major contributor to the Knights’ offense shortly. Sophomores Kurt Knolle (East Aurora, NY), Jacob Duff (Lebanon, CT), and Angelo DiFrancesco (Penfield, NY) showed a ton of potential as freshmen and earned many minutes in their first collegiate seasons. Knolle, a Liberty League All-Star and contender for the conference’s rookie of the year award, finished as Clarkson’s leading scorer with nine points in 2010, while DiFrancesco and Duff combined to play in 29 games, with the former earning four starts.

In the midfield, senior David Maiorino (Holbrook, NY) was a key scorer for the Knights in 2010, tying for the team lead in goals. Classmate Jon Gacioch (Palmyra, NY) has struggled with nagging injuries, but looks ready to put to use his considerable speed and skill for Clarkson this season.

Junior Eric Wright (Rochester, NY) has seen action in three games in his first two years and hopes to stick on the field without injury as well. Sophomore Graziano Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT) was a highly thought of recruit coming in last year and his play in the midfield as a freshman did nothing to deter those initial opinions.

Though Clarkson’s defense kept the team in many games, a point of weakness for the Knights in 2011 was giving up second chance opportunities. Clarkson trailed its opponents by 57 in shots, a fairly modest total, but the team allowed 91 corner kick chances while receiving only 39 of its own.

Minimizing those scoring openings will be paramount to the team’s success this fall. Konecnik will be a key player if he can come back from his early setback with no lingering effects. Joining him will be senior Steven Davis (Otego, NY), who, too, had to spend more time in the training room than on the field.

Sophomore Sam Abate (North Tonawanda, NY) will receive some starting consideration as will classmate Tyler Rodrigues (Flemington, NJ), who came back as one of the most improved players on the roster.

The Knights are lucky to have two very capable goalkeepers as their final line of defense. Junior Scott Stuart (Ottawa, ONT) received the bulk of the playing time last year, sporting a 1.12 goals against average with 52 saves in 12 games, but he suffered an injury down the stretch.

Classmate Saverino Spagnolo (Ottawa, ONT) played the last four games and is one of the best shot stoppers around with good hands and instincts.

The Knights added several talented freshmen, as well as some upperclassmen, to create more depth to an impressive corps of returning players.

Freshmen Trevor Blackwell (Pittsford, NY) and James Cowie (Malta, NY) are already penciled in for starting spots for the Knights, but they are far from the only newcomers expected to contribute in 2011.

Senior Curtis Scobie (Orangeville, ONT) and juniors Nate Crow (Scotia, NY) and John Yeaton (Merrimack, NH) may not have much in the way of collegiate experience, but each has shown plenty in pre-season to show that their skills are ready to play up a level. Freshman Alex Vozzella (Boston, MA), Ben Morton-Black (Colchester, VT), and Michael McDonnell (Ogdensburg, NY) also have proven their mettle in the pre-season and should see playing time immediately.