In its first year as a recognized club sport, Villanova men’s club soccer has proven to be a very popular extra curricular activity. Over eighty individuals tried out for the team, which was eventually reduced to forty members. After roster cuts, club soccer players paid $55 to cover the costs of uniforms, equipment, referees and traveling. Soccer club coach Daniel Davis said the membership costs are reasonable when compared to club hockey’s $1500 fee, but he is overall unsatisfied with the aid bestowed by the ever-so-generous Villanova funding.

In addition to coach Davis, who was a former Villanova varsity player, club President Eli Roberts and Vice President Garner Smythe manage the team. Smythe handles double duty, as he is also a team captain, along with Alexandre Caperonis, Adriano Hauck and Dan O’Donnell. Secretary Trip Reeds, treasurer Jon Collins and webmaster Jon Aras round out President Smythe’s cabinet.

The team calls Jake Nevin their home field and the fast paced turf accommodates their skilled passing and speed game well.

The club team has been successful so far against other universities’ club teams. Coach Davis reports that the team recently traveled to the University of Pennsylvania where they participated in the inaugural Aaron Hibbs Memorial Classic. The team went undefeated against the opposition en route to being crowned tourney champions.

Coach Davis said there would be tryouts next semester for students coming back from abroad. Davis said to check the website, www.athletics.villanova.edu/mensclubsoccer/ for updates, scores, and contact info. Davis said that the club is challenging but fun, and several players could play at the varsity level. Davis is always looking for a new challenge and said, “an offer is on the table” to Coach Sullivan and his varsity soccer squad.