The men’s soccer team entered its 2009 campaign primed to make a run at the NCAA tournament for the second year in a row. With a returning lineup, solid depth and strong senior leadership, the Bombers believed it was their year — but in the end, they were unable to make the postseason.

The team was plagued by an inconsistent defense coupled with tough breaks during the season, which kept the defending Empire 8 regular season champions from making the playoffs for the first time since 2001. The Bombers posted a record of 7–6–3 overall and 3–3–1 in the Empire 8.

“Coming into this year ... we knew we were going to lose a few good starting seniors, but we thought we could rebound well with a good recruiting class, and we were ready to go,” senior back Ata Movassaghi said.

The Bombers, who finished in fifth place in the Empire 8, lost many close games that could have gone either way and suffered a team illness during the season.

“We’re probably two goals from making the conference tournament,” Head Coach Andy Byrne said. “It’s just the way it is. You always want to make the tournament, but I don’t look at it like it’s disappointing. It’s just the way it worked out.”

Despite a returning back line including three seniors, the defense was unable to consistently shut down opposing offenses. In their first eight games, the Bombers allowed a total of four goals. In the second half of the season, the defense let in 14 goals.

Even after a 2–1–2 start to the season, senior forward Jeff South said he expected better.

“For the first four or five weeks in regular season play, our record was definitely disappointing, especially with a good amount of returning starters on the field,” South said.

The Bombers lost a nearly irreplaceable leader last year — All-American goalkeeper Andy Wilhelm. Junior goalkeeper Justin Parlapiano filled Wilhelm’s shoes adequately, posting five shutouts on the season. However, Parlapiano struggled in Empire 8 play, and Byrne decided to start sophomore goalkeeper Evan Kirshner for the remainder of the conference schedule.

Byrne said the season did have its bright spots, including the rapid development of the young players on the team.

“We had a lot of young guys that did well,” Byrne said. “They will step up and be good players for us in the future.”

Offensively, the Bombers dominated time of possession and outshot their opponents 270–168. Junior forward Fernando Casanova led the team with 12 points including three game-winning goals.

Despite missing out on the playoffs, the team finished its regular season strong in its final game with a comeback win against Empire 8 foe Elmira College 2–1 Saturday on Senior Day at Carp Wood Field.

“You get really anxious knowing that it could be your last game especially when they scored the first goal to go up 1–0,” Movassaghi said. “Luckily we had the grit to come out with two more goals and seal the victory. It’s a very good thing to go out even if we don’t, unfortunately, make the conference tournament, we still know that coming off a win … we did what we had to do.”