Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
Overall Rank: #19
#1 Big South
Coastal Carolina Team Page
Coastal Carolina cruised through the Big South, failing to just win one game in their ten conference contests. With only a couple big non-conference victories, the Chanticleers failed to earn a bye in the NCAA Tournament, but they did get to host their first round contest against East Tennessee State. Coach Shaun Docking and team took care of ETSU with little trouble and faced Charlotte on the road in the second round. Earlier in the year, Charlotte beat Coastal Carolina in Conway, South Carolina 2-1, but this time the Chanticleers got the best of the 49ers. Coastal Carolina’s tournament run ended in the next round against California, but the team did stick around and lost just 1-0.
2013 Record: 19-5-0, 9-1-0
2013 Postseason: NCAA
Coach: Shaun Docking
Returning Leaders:
Goals: Ricky Garbanzo, Senior, F, 13
Assists: Sergio Camargo, Sophomore, M, 5
Shots: Ricky Garbanzo, Senior, F, 78
Saves: Devin Cook-Perales, Junior, GK, 64
Other Key Returnees: F Agust Arnarson, F/M Kevin Le Bras, D/M Shawn McLaws, D Ridge Robinson, D Uchenna Uzo, D Colin Marz
Key Losses: F Jakub Stourac, F/M Matt Risher, M Justin Portillo, M Pedro Ribeiro, M Simon Laugsand, D Kai Morton
Strengths:
It seems like every year Coastal Carolina has a superstar and a superstar in waiting on their roster. A couple years ago the superstar was Ashton Bennett. Then it was Pedro Ribeiro. Now it is Ricky Garbanzo. Garbanzo, a senior striker, led the team with 13 goals last season and will be the top goal scoring option once again. Sophomore midfielder Sergio Camargo is the superstar in waiting. As a freshman he scored nine goals, including five game winners, and dished out five assists. Agust Arnarson was very productive in limited action as a sophomore and should turn into a key player in the attack. But it is really the defense that looks strong in 2014. Keeper Devin Cook-Perales allowed just 19 goals in 24 games and tallied an impressive 12 shutouts. With the defense returning mostly intact, led by Shawn McLaws, Ridge Robinson, Uchenna Uzo and Colin Marz, the Chanticleers will again cruise through the Big South without allowing many goals.
Weaknesses:
Without Ribeiro and fellow midfielders Justin Portillo, Simon Laugsand and Matt Risher as well as striker Jakub Stourac, there are some reasons to be concerned about the offense. Behind Garbanzo, Camargo and Arnarson, there is not much experience returning. Kevin Le Bras earned a few starts in 2013, but that is about it. Coach Docking went out and picked up some transfers who should help. Most notable is former Tulsa striker Bryce Follensbee and Jordan Tyler from Penn State.
Final Projection:
With back-to-back trips to the Round of 16, Coastal Carolina’s goal will be to make it three in a row. The Chants will likely have to get there without a bye once again thanks to the relative weakness of the Big South. However, this year the non-conference schedule is really tough and with just three or four losses along the way, this team should be able to earn a bye. That would mean they need to win a game or two against Connecticut, Maryland and Charlotte to begin the season though. Other non-conference games include Furman, South Carolina, UAB, Elon and Clemson.
Projected Postseason: NCAA Tournament
By the Numbers:
Scoring Offense: 1.96 (11th in nation, 2nd in conference)
Goals-Against Average: 0.83 (34, 1)
Shutout Percentage: 0.50 (11, 1)
Save Percentage: 0.773 (85, 4)
See All College Sports Madness Top 44 Men's Soccer Previews
