An experienced squad is set to take the pitch for the Buccaneer men’s soccer team this fall, as the 2012 season marks Head Coach Greg Perry’s 20^th campaign alongside Cape Cod Canal.  The veteran mentor welcomes back 15 letterwinners and eight starters from a youthful Massachusetts Maritime team that participated in eight one-goal matches in 2011 and looks to make a run at the MASCAC elite this year.

Leadership has always been a staple of Perry’s program, and he will look to senior tri-captains Adam Rabesa (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth), Adam Vieira (New Bedford, Mass./New Bedford) and Derek Young (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) to provide solid examples both on and off the field, as he describes the trio as “committed to the overall success of the program” and “individuals who understand the level of commitment needed on the field, in the classroom and in the regiment.”

Here’s a look at how things are shaping up for the 2012 edition of Buccaneer men’s soccer:

FORWARD.  Sophomore Stuart Kinsman (Granville, Mass./Southwick-Tolland) is the top returning scorer up front for Massachusetts Maritime after netting a pair of goals and five points as a rookie last fall, and he will be joined by a trio of newcomers looking to make an impact in junior Roodelin Jean (Braintree, Mass./Doral Charter) and freshmen Connor McInnis (Duxbury, Mass./Tabor Academy) and Shawn Slaney (Northbridge, Mass./Blackstone Valley).

MIDFIELD.  Perry has a plethora of experience in the middle this season, led by Derek Young and Vieira, who combined for three goals in starting all 15 contests a year ago.  Sophomore Rob Robbs (Braintree, Mass./Braintree) also collected two markers and a helper during his inaugural season in a Buccaneer uniform, while senior Tim McDonough (Framingham, Mass./Framingham) returns after collecting a tally and a team-leading three assists in 2011.  Junior Hieu Nguyen (Weymouth, Mass./Matignon) lends additional experience to the Buccaneer attack after notching a goal and an assist, while the tandem of junior Jake Soifert (Rehoboth, Mass./Dighton-Rehoboth) and sophomore Justin Krusemark (Newburyport, Mass./Newburyport) combined for 21 match appearances last season.  Freshman Alejandro Martinez (Rocky Hill, Conn./Classical Magnet) will be vying for a spot in the midfield rotation during his rookie season as well in 2012.

BACK.  Junior Asa Mills (Westport, Mass./Bishop Stang) leads an experienced defensive backfield for Perry, as he earned second team all-MASCAC accolades last fall in appearing in 14 contests.  Rabesa chipped in with goals in 12 matches last year, while junior Stephen Machaby (Rockland, Mass./Rockland) also returns after starting 10 contests.  Junior Daniel Riley (Hanover, Mass./Hanover) also looks to make an impact after appearing in 10 matches in 2011, while sophomore Dillon Jones (Sagamore Beach, Mass./Bourne), along with freshmen Nick Parker (Plymouth, Mass./Plymouth South), Ryan Culp (Centreville, Md./Kent Island), Dylan Buckborough (Swansea, Mass./Case) and Taylor Sjoberg (Mansfield, Mass./Mansfield) will also be vying for spots in the lineup during their inaugural seasons of play.

GOAL.  Senior Brett Young (Falmouth, Mass./Falmouth) leads an experienced trio in the Buccaneer cage as Massachusetts Maritime’s last line of defense, as he started 13 matches last season while posting a 2.27 goals against average and 87 saves for a .744 saves percentage.  Fellow senior Patrick Slaney (Northbridge, Mass./Bellingham) and sophomore Andrew Brown (Bel Air, Md./John Carroll) also return after combining for six appearances and eight saves last fall.

SCHEDULE.  Perry’s crew will be looking for a spot in the MASCAC championships once again this fall, as the conference tournament has expanded from a four to a six-team field beginning this season.  Massachusetts Maritime will also take on another solid non-league slate that features Curry, Becker, Lesley, Wentworth, Nichols, Coast Guard, Anna Maria, UMass Dartmouth, WPI and UMass Boston.

The Buccaneers will set sail on Greg Perry’s 20^th anniversary voyage on Friday, August 31^st when Massachusetts Maritime entertains Curry at Clean Harbors Stadium beginning at 4:00 p.m. EDT.