In 2002, the Golden Falcons will look to build on last year's 20-19 record and second place finish in the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference. Under the direction of new head coach Steve Svenson, the players are upbeat, confident and anxiously awaiting the new season.

The Golden Falcons return two top pitchers in juniors Will Kibler of Ridgewood, New Jersey and Anthony Cabrera of the Bronx, New York. Kibler will vie for the number one spot in the rotation with Cabrera, who posted a record of 6-3 in 2001. Both will be counted on heavily to carry the pitching staff. Highly touted freshman pitcher Kirk Johnson, out of John F. Kennedy High School in Iselin, New Jersey, will be the third starter and also counted on to hit. Christian Brothers Academy High School graduate Ryan DeSarno will be the fourth starter. Rounding out the rotation will be Toms River South High School graduate Chris Purguy, Tom Kennedy, Pat Jankowski, Frank Nero, Jesse Gorman, and Khendry Veras. Chris Eshleman of JFK Iselin will be counted on to be the teams closer and spot starter.

The Golden Falcons defense is also looking extremely solid for the 2002 season. Chris Sommerhalter, a freshman from State Champion Emerson High School, and junior Sean Filipowicz will split time at third base. At shortstop, William Paterson transfer Dennis Hulse will be counted on to sure up the middle with junior Andre Randolph. Both Hulse and Randolph are slick fielding players who will make up a smooth double play combination. Freshman Bill Funke will back up Hulse and Randolph in the middle infield. First base will be occupied by returning starter David O'Brien and Joe McCloskey, a transfer from junior college powerhouse Brookdale Community College. Team leader Rich Fastnacht, a junior from Point Pleasant Boro will be the number one catcher. According to Coach Svenson, Rich is like having another coach on the field. Also seeing time behind the plate will be junior Beau Buraus and another Brookdale transfer, JP Gorczinski, who will also be relied upon as one of the designated hitters.

In the outfield, returning starter Pete Sidler from Lehman High School in the Bronx will man center field along with freshman Chris Eshleman. Sidler was named to the All-Conference team in 2001, while Eshleman was one of the most highly touted high school outfielders in the state. Junior Ben Donaghy, one of the best defensive outfielders in the conference, will be in right field, while the strong fall season play of senior Joe Jordan earned him the left field position. Also seeing time in the outfield will be junior Fernando Marmolejos from Perth Amboy High School.

Offensively the Golden Falcons will rely on their speed, experience and ability to hit the ball in the gaps. Joe McCloskey, Andre Randolph and Ben Donaghy will look to get on and steal bases ahead of Sidler, O'Brien, Sommerhalter, Filipowicz and Fastnacht. McCloskey finished 13th in the nation in stolen bases at Brookdale, stealing 23 bases in 23 attempts. Sidler and O'Brien will be counted on to drive in runs, while Filipowicz, Sommerbalter, Fastnacht and Hulse will supply the power. Freshman Frank Messimer and sophomore Khendry Veras will be counted on to get hits off the bench and see time at designated hitter. Freshman Bill Funke will also be one of the top base runners off the bench. Coach Svenson believes that with aggressive base running and execution, the Golden Falcons should generate enough runs to make a run at the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference title.