Canton, NY – The 2013 SUNY Canton men's soccer team will look to continue its recent success this season under new Head Coach Tim Penrod. The Roos earned the institution's first ever bid to an ECAC tournament during the 2012 season. The men's soccer team opens their 2013 campaign the last weekend of August as it takes part in the Doug May Classic in Rochester, NY.

"I am incredibly excited to begin this season and help start a new chapter in Roos Men's Soccer history," Penrod said. "Having spent most of the last month talking with players, I know they are eager to start the process of growing from last years' experience. This group has a unique opportunity to test themselves against some of the top regional and national teams in Nazareth, RIT, Clarkson, and St. Lawrence. I look forward to teaching an attractive brand of soccer, and helping the team find success both on and off the field."

This year's schedule features 17 contests, nine of which will be played in the friendly confines of SUNY Canton's home turf field. The Roos open up their home schedule Saturday, September 7th against Alfred University at 12:00 p.m. Other home contests include tilts with Keuka, Union, SUNY ESF, Johnson State, Alfred State, Morrisville State, Lyndon State and perennial powerhouse St. Lawrence University. Key road contests feature trips to Clarkson, Elmira, Houghton and SUNYIT.

2013 Schedule

The Roos return leading scorer, junior Abdulai Jagana (Bronx, NY), who spearheaded the attack last season with 13 points on a team-best five goals and three assists. Senior midfielder Marvin Palmer (Brooklyn, NY) produced five points with two goals and one helper a season ago, while classmate Keelon Joseph (Malabar, Arima, Trinidad) tied a team-high three assists along with finding the back of the net once.

"We have a large group of incoming freshmen and new players who are eager to prove themselves at this level," Penrod said. "I am pleased to see a group that consists of local, regional, national, and

international talent."

Juniors Elhadji Gueye (New York, NY) and Ashley Butterworth (Preston

, United Kingdom) bring back a combined six points on two goals and two assists. In all, the Roos return four of their top seven scorers from the 2012 campaign.

2012 Statistics

"I expect this group will have a wide variety of skill sets, and we will be working hard to integrate the styles of our new players with the already seasoned styles of our returning core," Penrod noted. "Over the course of our pre-season training camp, I hope to see a number of these newcomers really gel with the returners and put themselves in a position to make an immediate impact."

With a blend of experienced ability from front to back and a crop of youthful talent, the 2013 SUNY Canton men's soccer team is poised to continue to build. The Roos open play August 30th at 2:30 p.m. against Nazareth College and square off the next day at 2:30 p.m. against Rochester Institute of Technology.

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SUNY Canton offers career-driven degrees in a variety of interesting majors. The College recently expanded its facilities with a new athletic center, nicknamed Roos House, and the Grasse River Suites Residence Hall. The College's faculty members are noted for their professional real-world experience in addition to their academic credentials. SUNY Canton OnLine offers flexible and convenient online courses and programs. The College features 14 athletic teams and competes as a provisional member of NCAA Division III as well as the USCAA.