Seven seniors have departed, leaving the 2013 William Paterson men's soccer with a bevy of new faces as it takes the pitch this fall.

"This group has a lot of technical skill, can knock the ball around and hold possession," said 22nd-year head coach Brian Woods. "They just need to develop some chemistry and a comfort level playing together since we do have so many newcomers."

FORWARDS
Speed and technical skill are the two phrases that best describe the Pioneers in the attacking third this season.

Sophomore Jason Padilla (West Orange, N.J./West Orange) can change the complexion of the match, thanks to his energy and high work rate. He will see an expanded role after playing in three contests a year ago, as will Hugh Riley (Tinton Falls, N.J./Monmouth Regional), who utilized his speed to produce two goals and an assist while starting nine of 18 contests as a junior newcomer in 2012.

Freshman Leandro Lemache (Carteret, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) was one of the nation's top recruits after playing for the PDA and USSF Academy teams and being named to the ESPN Rise Top 100. A pure goal scorer, Woods is looking for big things out of the rookie.

Junior Omar Jallow (Union City, N.J./Union City), who has 25 career appearances to his credit, and sophomore newcomer Jose Arevalo (North Haledon, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) have both displayed great technical ability during preseason training.

MIDFIELD
One of the deepest areas of the field for the Pioneers will be in the middle.

Sophomore Sean Neal (Franklin, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional), who provided a goal and an assist during 16 matches off the bench as a rookie, can contribute outside or in the center of the pitch. His greatest assets are his ability with the ball at his feet, his play in the air and his distribution.

Expected to start on the outside is Mike Conte (Franklin, N.J./Wallkill Valley Regional), a year after he found the back of the net twice and started in three of his 15 appearances as a rookie.

Manning the middle will be seniors Besmir Dzila (Prospect Park, N.J./Dr. Ibrahim Temo) and Karl Schroeder (Long Valley, N.J./Gill St. Bernard's). Dzila started eight of 13 matches last fall, while Schroeder has been a starter since his arrival at WP as a sophomore, and he has developed into the Pioneers' go-to player and leader on the field.

Junior Rafael Marques (Woodland Park, N.J./Passaic Valley Regional) can contribute anywhere in the midfield, while senior Stephen Stewart (West Milford, N.J./West Milford) and sophomore Josh Basket (Oak Ridge, N.J./West Milford) will contend for time in the center. Sophomore Kevin McKeary (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) and newcomers George Bardis (Toms River, N.J./Monsignor Donovan), Antonio Bianes (Sussex, N.J./Vernon Twp.) and Tyler Morris (Montclair, N.J./Montclair) are expected to compete for minutes at the outside mid positions.

BACKS
Three of the anticipated starters on the back line are returnees, making the defensive third the most experienced area on the pitch for William Paterson.

Junior Marcus Hackett (Montclair, N.J./Immaculate Conception) has proven his ability to make a difference everywhere on the field, and this season will be no different as he will see time at center back, center mid and forward. An all-region and two-time all-New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) honoree, Hackett struck for a team-best seven goals last season.

Senior Matt Nigro (Morganville, N.J./Marlboro) will transition from the midfield to outside back, this after collecting 13 points (3 g, 7 a) while starting in 43 of 60 career matches.

At 6-5, sophomore Aken Pierre (North Plainfield, N.J./St. Benedict's Prep) adds size on the outside flank, and freshman Tyler Burd (Hillsborough, N.J./Hillsborough) rounds out the group as the other projected starter in the middle.

Junior Scherdlens Jean Pierre (Irvington, N.J./Irvington) may be the fastest player on the roster, a trait that could help him earn minutes in the back. Also expected to compete for playing time are Morris, McKeary and freshmen Luis Marin (Paterson, N.J./Paramus Catholic) and Nick King (Holmdel, N.J./Holmdel).

GOALKEEPERS
Without an experienced keeper on the roster, the starting nod between the posts has been up for grabs. At the conclusion of preseason camp, the competition between freshmen Mike Diacheysn (Nutley, N.J./Nutley) and Matt Hernandez (Fort Lee, N.J./Fort Lee) had still not been definitively decided, allowing Woods the option of splitting the minutes between his two goalkeepers until a true starter emerges.