GETTYSBURG, Pa. – An annual participant in the postseason, the Gettysburg College men's soccer team fell short in its bid last fall, but a new coach and a new style of play might be just what the Bullets need to regain their playoff form in 2010.

Last season, Gettysburg finished outside of the Centennial Conference playoff race for the first time since 2004. The Bullets put up an 8-7-2 overall record and a 4-5 mark against conference opponents. Six of the team's seven losses came by just one goal and four of those scores came in the final 10 minutes of competition.

“We showed glimpses of being a very good team last year,” said Brett Kelly '03, promoted to associate coach after six years an assistant. “Momentary lapses caught up to us, leading to late goals. It's about playing the game for 90 minutes and putting in a good positive effort.”

Kelly's promotion to associate coach coincides with a familiar face returning to the helm of Gettysburg's men's soccer program. Devin O'Neill, head coach for the last seven seasons, accepted an assistant position at Bradley University during the summer and Director of Athletics David Wright stepped into the role of acting head coach for this season's campaign.

“I am very excited to have a chance to coach again,” said Wright when the announcement was made in July. “I loved my tenure as head coach and will enjoy the opportunity to coach this team. I look forward to getting to know the student-athletes on an individual level.”

Wright led the Bullets to some of the program's top moments during his 17-year reign as head coach. From 1986 to 2002, Gettysburg posted a record of 216-89-24, captured three Centennial Conference championships, won a pair of ECAC South Region titles, and competed in the NCAA Division III Tournament seven times.

Wright will attempt to tap into some of that prior success by implementing a new game plan as he guides the Bullets in 2010. Both Wright and Kelly hope the transition into the system will lead to a more consistent effort from the team.

“The system of play I'll interject into the team is a little different than what they were used to,” said Wright. “Sophomores, juniors, and seniors are kind of starting back at ground zero. It will be a bit of a challenge, but I'm confident that it will manifest itself into success as we move into the season. My experience in the past has been if everyone is reading the same sheet of music then hopefully they're playing the same song.”

The men's soccer program will have to move forward without a quartet of all-conference performers, including four-time selection Geoff Menge '10, but there is still plenty of leadership to be found on the roster. Seniors Rich Kampert (Doylestown, Pa./Central Bucks West), Peter Lynch (West Chester, Pa./Haverford School) and Teddy Smith (Ellicott City, Md./Centennial) have competed with some of the best competition in the Mid-Atlantic Region over the last three seasons and will form a strong core for the team this fall.

Two members of the junior class that Wright expects to take on more leadership responsibilities are leading scorers Kyle DeBlois (Cranbury, N.J./Princeton) and Eric Hynes (Far Hills, N.J./Pingry School). Combined the duo has put up 60 points in their opening two campaigns, nearly double the offensive output of the remaining roster. The duo's scoring abilities remind the coaching staff of another potent Gettysburg pair in 2000 grads Chris Pryor and Jason Vishio. Pryor is the school's all-time leading scorer (127 points) and was the 1999 CC Player of the Year, while Vishio ranks second on the school's scoring list (110 points) and was the 1998 CC Player of the Year.

“The key to their (Vishio and Pryor) success was that they looked for their teammates before they looked for themselves,” recalled Wright. “It's a matter of DeBlois and Hynes not only playing together and taking that aspect to a new level, but also taking it to the other players.”

DeBlois and Hynes will be the focus of opposing defenses, but they certainly won't be the only scoring threats on Gettysburg's sideline. Sophomores Ben Tabor (Kinnelon, N.J./Kinnelon) and Andrew McLane (Newtown, Pa./St. Joe's Prep) combined for five goals and 12 points as regular contributors last fall. The coaching staff also singled out junior Teddy McCarthy (Longmeadow, Mass./The Loomis Chaffee School (Conn.)) as someone who can fill the void left by Menge in the midfield.

Kelly, a former defender for the Bullets, pointed to the need for the Orange and Blue defense to step up its game this fall. Kampert will pave the way as the leader of the backline and the team will look for more contributions from sophomores Craig Heckman (Harleysville, Pa./Souderton) and Thomas Siekmann (Washington Crossing, Pa./Council Rock North).

The defense will be bolstered by a crew of experienced goalkeepers, each of whom started matches last fall. Sophomore Mike Walmer (Hershey, Pa./Hershey) was the primary starter in 2009, logging a 1.08 GAA and six shutouts in 13 starts. Walmer might have the inside track, but he'll be challenged by junior Michael Nemeth (Flourtown, Pa./Germantown Academy) and sophomore Jamie Hahn (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) who combined for 29 saves in seven appearances last fall.

“I think goalkeeping is an area of strength for our team this year,” said Kelly. “We have a couple of quality players that will push each other every day.”

Wright also pointed to a talented class of newcomers that will challenge the returning players for playing time and possibly spots in the starting lineup.

Gettysburg's schedule will be challenging as always. Non-conference foes include four teams that competed in the national tournament last season, not the least of which is defending champion Messiah College. The grueling non-conference slate is in preparation for what is sure to be another challenging Centennial Conference campaign.

“Our conference is one of the best Division III soccer conferences in the country,” noted Wright. “If you're going to compete and do well in conference then you have to play the best competition in your area.”

The Orange and Blue open the 2010 campaign with a competitive tournament at the University of Mary Washington on Sept. 4-5. The Bullets begin the year against 2009 NCAA participant Lynchburg College on Saturday at 1 p.m. before taking on the host Eagles on Sunday at 3:30 p.m. The first home contest at Clark Field takes place against Messiah on Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. and the first conference date occurs three days later at Ursinus College at 3:30 p.m.