Lyndonville, VT - The Vermont State University Lyndon men's and women's soccer teams will open the 2024 season on Monday when they host a doubleheader with Paul Smith's College. The women will start things off with an 11:00 am kickoff, with the men to follow immediately afterward.
Zach Blaser, a 2023 Northern Vermont University graduate, will take the reins of both Lyndon teams this fall. Blaser was named the head coach of the men's team in June, and also became the interim head coach of the women's team when previous coach Samantha Valentine stepped down just before the start of practice.
The Hornet men look to be much improved this season. Eight starters and ten total players return, and will be boosted by a talented group of incoming freshmen.
Senior midfielder and captain Gilbert Flores (Winsted, CT) will again be counted on to lead the attack. Flores scored five goals a year ago and has ten tallies in three seasons as a Hornet. Junior midfielder Jeffrey Blais (Newport, VT) is also a captain, and will add depth to the midfield.
Lyndon's other two captains, senior Matthew McGeehan (Milford, CT) and junior Quinn Bressler (Norton, MA) will anchor the Hornet back line.
Talented junior midfielder David Gratton (Newport, VT) also returns, looking to build on a promising rookie season a year ago, Gratton started 14 games and led the Hornets with four assists.
Senior midfielder Jacob Baesemann (Waterford, VT) also returns after taking a year off in 2023. Baesemann has two goals and two assists in two seasons as a Hornet,
Senior forward James Salvas (Morrisville, VT), junior defender Guillermo Joaquin Ortiz Garcia (Enosburg Falls, VT), and junior midfielder Lorenzo Garner (Milton, VT) also return.
Goalkeeper D'Amecio Singleton (Savannah, GA) and defender Jason Nofsker (Virginia Beach, VA) head up a promising group of newcomers. Singleton is expected to earn the starting keeper role after a decorated high school career that saw him earn All-Region and Regional Defensive Player of the Year honors. Nofsker anchored the defense for a high school team that reached the Virginia state quarterfinals and semi-finals in his two varsity seasons.
Freshmen Cameran Lavertu (Wells River, VT), Carson Hughes (Oldtown, ID), Joaquin Torres (Bloomfield, NJ), Brooks Enzensperger (Arlington, VT), Everett Winslow (Wells River Junction, VT), Abraham Olsen (Burlington, VT), Ben Albert (Falmouth, MA), and Cesar Ortiz (Enosburg Falls, VT) round out the roster and are expected to compete for playing time and a significant role.
Blaser believes that this is the start of a resurgence for the men's program. "I believe this will be one of two years that we see a massive transition from the team. From having one new recruit added from the 2023 season to having 5 commits for the 2024 season, as well as several walk-ons and returners. The team will have gone from having 10 to 13 players per game to having 19 to 21 per game, which will be more than the team has had in over 5 years (if I remember correctly). I believe matches will be more competitive than last season, with closer scorelines and more reputable results."
Blaser got a late start with the women's program, and at publication time was still putting together his roster. Sophomore midfielder Hannah Badertscher (Irasburg, VT) and freshman defender Victoria Fitih (Madison, TN) both return and are expected to lead the new look Hornets.
The Lyndon women will be seeking their first ever win against Paul Smith's, a United States Collegiate Athletic Association program. The Bobcats finished 9-2-2 a year ago and reached the USCAA National Tournament.
The Hornet men will be looking to snap a three-match skid against Paul Smith's. Lyndon's last triumph was a 5-2 victory in 2019. The Paul smith's men finished 4-6-3 in 2023.
