Ryan Pelletier '08

MILAN. ITALY – Mike Russo's young Eph men's soccer team has opened with a loss and a win on their 13-day, 6-match tour of Switzerland and Italy.

The Ephs lost 3-0 in their European debut in Lugano, Switzerland when they fell to Primavera. "I thought we played okay," said Russo. "They got an early goal and another one early in the second half and then followed that with a PK. It's kind of funny we had a little jet lag as the field was right near the airport and there were planes taking off and landing all through the game."

On the 13th the Ephs got the better of the Monza U-18 team from Milan. Monza finished fourth in the recent Italian U-18 national championships.

"It was a little disappointing to go down 1-0 for the second match in a row, but Ryan Pelletier tied the score and Sam Empson was able to net the game-winner," noted Russo. "We played much better this time, but we will have to play even better over the final four matches because the competition will be a lot stiffer."

Sam Empson '09

On Tuesday night the Ephs will tangle with Cecina from the Italian Division 1 League, which is one step below the pros. "This will be a good test for us because Cecina will have some players who have played professionally," said Russo.

After Cecina the Ephs will play back-to-back games on the 17th and the 18th. On the 17th Williams will travel to San Marino to play Verucchio and on the 18th the Ephs will play Sant 'Orso.

The Ephs will then close out their trip on the 20th with two matches in the Cantu Tournament, an event they won on their last trip to Italy four years ago. In game one the Ephs will play Marino and then they will face the hosts AC Cantu in the nightcap.

This trip should offer Russo a glimpse at where his team stands after being rocked with the loss of nine key players to graduation including starting goalie Jeff Castigilione and All-Americans Dana Leary and Patrick Huffer. A year ago Huffer was the NESCAC Player of the Year and Leary was the National Player of the Year.

Huffer was the Eph who delivered the Cantu Tournament trophy into the hands of his Eph teammates four years ago when he converted the deciding PK.