Andrew Guarneri enters his second year as Men’s & Women’s Soccer Head Coach but just his first full year of recruiting. The 2009 season officially begins on August 15 with a scrimmage at Embry Riddle at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. The regular season starts on Friday, August 28 against Gateway CC as the women kick off at 4:30 p.m. followed by the men at 7:00 p.m.

Coach Drew’s assistants David Belfort and Paul Manoogian remain from the 2008 campaign.

The men’s team returns three starters from the 2008 season in forward Leland Hildebrand, fullback Bashiru Ali, and midfielder Gonzalo Nemi. Other returnees include goalies Raymundo Salgado and Glenn Hokanson, fullback Jose Mendoza, who sat out most of last year with a shoulder injury, and midfielder Brandon Esping. Two other sophomores join the Thunderbirds in midfielders Spencer Morgan and Brian Hernandez.

The freshmen are aplenty as 22 first-year players don the T’Bird jersey.

The teams travel to Show Low on August 4-8 to team build and exchange good will with Show Low High School. Coach Drew will exchange coaching and training seminars to the Show Low High players in exchange for room and board in the cool mountains, more specifically in the high school band room.

“It’s a reciprocal trip we’ll take each year. It’s cost effective, gets us out of the heat for a few days so we can do some connecting and team building. It’s really a great opportunity,” says Guarneri.

With two brand new teams in 2009, the Thunderbird Soccer Program is completely refocused with a renewed energy.