2016 Olivet College Men's Soccer Preview

A new coaching regime is set begin for the Olivet College men's soccer program in 2016, as Dan Montanye begins his first season as the Comets' head coach.

Montanye welcomes back a strong nucleus of players from the 2015 team. Headlining the team are seniors Michael Brait, John Hollowell and Gregory Petty. These three players have been a part of the program for the last three years and are hoping to end their careers on a high note.

Brait has started 50-of-52 career games at Olivet. Playing most of the time on defense, he has four goals and four assists for 12 points. After playing in just seven varsity games over his first two seasons in a Comet uniform, he appeared in 15 games last year. Petty has seen action in 50 games at Olivet, recording 25 points on eight goals and nine assists.

The junior class is led by Vince Geremia and Evan Shambaugh. Playing on the back line, Geremia started every game last year, while Shambaugh started 19 games. Other returning juniors include Chase Dunn, Sam Jones, Jacob Kinney and Nathan Weeks.

Denver Bonkowski, Matthew Henderson, Donald Robertson and Eli Westers lead the sophomore class. Bonkowski competed in 16 games in his rookie season at Olivet. Henderson played in all except one game last season. He scored a goal against Albion, and assisted on the game-winning goal in Olivet's 1-0 win over Trine. Robertson saw the field in 15 games and recorded two assists. Westers started 11 games and registered three assists. The remaining returning sophomores are Grant Arras, Zack Castle and Charles Griggs.

Olivet starts the 2016 season with back-to-back home contests. On Thursday, Sept. 1, the Comets welcome Rochester College to the Cutler Athletic Complex for a 2:30 p.m. game. On Sunday, Sept. 4, Central (Iowa) College visits Olivet for a 1 p.m. contest.