"If It Ain’t Broke… Break It": The Next Chapter for Finger Lakes Men’s Soccer
With a Region III crown in hand, Finger Lakes Men’s Soccer returns with experience, depth, and a clear standard for success.
CANANDAIGUA, N.Y. — The Finger Lakes Community College men's soccer team enters the 2025 season riding a wave of momentum after a historic 2024 campaign. The Lakers captured their first-ever NJCAA Region III Championship in a thrilling 4-3 victory over Herkimer College, earning the program's first national tournament berth and setting a new standard for success.
With 14 returning players and a deep, talented recruiting class, Head Coach Joe Balls and his staff are focused on building on that foundation and pushing the program even further.
Incoming Talent
The 2025 recruiting class brings together a diverse and exciting group of players from across the globe, each selected to complement the team's fast-paced, technical style and competitive culture.
Joshua Koobs (Leverkusen, Germany) returns to the squad after missing last season. A solid shot-stopper with leadership qualities, Koobs is expected to bring stability and confidence to the back line.
Joining him in goal is Matt Walton (Birmingham, England), whose training with the Aston Villa Foundation adds a high level of professionalism and command in the box.
Nathan Salter (Warwick, England) is a strong, ball-winning center back with a natural leadership presence. He'll help anchor a reshaped defensive unit alongside Friedrich Sell (Verl, Germany), a technical outside back who can also play in midfield and contribute to the team's build-up play.
In midfield, Bautista Suarez (Argentina) is joining the program after playing in a provincial final in the first division tournament with his local team in Argentina. He will add a defensive edge and creativity from a holding midfield role, while Joe Clompus (London, England) brings vision and range as a central playmaker.
Sam Gerrards (Altrincham, England) is a hardworking midfielder who thrives in breaking up opposition play, and Niklas Grabke (Germany) offers versatility and tactical awareness across multiple midfield roles.
Noah Pfluger (Konstanz, Germany) is a creative midfielder with excellent vision and a dangerous final ball, while Abdelali Zariouh (Netherlands) adds flair and speed, capable of playing as a winger or attacking midfielder.
Riley Cooper (Newmachar, Scotland) joins as an attacking midfielder, known for his energy and ability to contribute in the final third. German Guzzi (Buenos Aires, Argentina) is another exciting wide player with a consistent end product that leads to goals and assists.
Up front, Finnley Atkinson (Warrington, England) adds pace and hold-up play, while Lennart Schaefer (Dortmund, Germany) gives the Lakers another versatile option across the front line.
Returning Core
The Lakers return a strong group of sophomores who helped lay the foundation last season:
Bernardo Castel, Harrison Eastwick, Pierre Essama, Robin Giesing, Yaco Gutierrez, Oriol Guzman, Allan Matheus, Mark Musembi, Varun Naidoo, Daniel Ojedayo, Carl Pontin, Matt Sanderson, Owen Schuessler, and Joao Viana.
Robin Giesing leads the group of returners after earning NJCAA Region III, District B All-Tournament MVP honors, highlighted by a standout performance in the regional final against Herkimer where he netted a hat trick.
Season Outlook
"Our goal this season is to build on what we started last year," said Coach Balls. "We want to get back to nationals and go even further, but we know it's going to take hard work and commitment every single day."
The team's strength lies in its culture. With an "iron sharpens iron" mentality, the Lakers are focused on fostering strong bonds across the roster and pushing each other to improve.
"This year, nothing will be handed to us," Balls added. "We've got a target on our backs after last season, and that means we have to work even harder and be willing to evolve. If it ain't broke… break it."
Get Involved
The Lakers open their 2025 campaign on Thursday, August 21st at Frederick Community College, before heading to Monroe Community College on Saturday, August 23rd. The team will then return to Canandaigua for their home opener on Wednesday, August 27th against the St. John Fisher University Cardinals JV at 12 PM. Come out and support the Lakers at the FLCC Multi-use Turf Facility or stream their home games live on YouTube.