2007 Season Outlook

Rick Pohle's Ephs are on a mission to end the program's two-year drought of not competing in the NCAA Tournament. The Ephs last competed in the 2005 NCAA Tourney and the goal now is to do whatever is necessary to secure the bid to the 2008 NCAA Tourney, which would be the Ephs' 10th appearance under Pohle.

This season the NESCAC Tournament in the fall will determine the four teams that will meet again in the spring to battle for the NESCAC bid to the NCAA Tourney in a two-day event hosted by first place fall finisher. A year ago the Ephs led the NESCAC Tournament after day one, but could not put together a second strong round and did not come home with the title.

Hamilton will host the fall NESCAC Tournament. “The NESCAC Tournament should be quite spirited this year with the new format," said Pohle. "I would expect Hamilton to be tough to beat at their home course and with all the returning players that they have. Middlebury and Trinity will both be very experienced teams and very competitive. Right now, I would say that we are talented enough to be in the top four and history is on our side – only once in the past 24 years have we finished out of the top four, but we are very young and that could prove to be very good or prove to be a bit much to handle early in the season."

Consistency will be the buzzword around the Eph team this season as last year a good first round was not followed by a second solid round and the end results were less than expected.

Pohle will have two First Team All-NESCAC players back to lead the charge this season in senior co-captain Brendan Conley and junior Tyler Zara. Seasoned veterans Nicholas Nottebohm and Matt Felser (away for the fall semester) also return.

Nottebohm, a senior co-captain, and Felser a junior were consistent contributors in both the fall and spring a year ago.

Senior Jeff Lin and junior Rahul Bahl will provide additional depth.  Junior Logan Gerrity is abroad for the entire junior year. Pohle welcomes six talented first years to the Eph program that arguably form the most talented class he has recruited to the Purple Valley in his 25-year career.

First years expected to contribute in the fall include  - Bob Camp, Robert Kalb, Jack Killea, Drew Murray, Jack Wadden and Jake Wagner.

“Obviously, the team’s goal is to be one of the top four teams at the fall NESCAC Tournament and qualify for the spring NESCAC event to determine the NCAA bid," stated Coach Pohle. "It will be an interesting fall, with so many talented first year players. I am sure that some of them will step right in and fill Kevin Kellert and Alex Mallory’s spot, but who remains to be determined.”

"I do expect that come springtime, we will be one of the best teams in the Northeast. (Division III),” commented coach Pohle.