A youthful Mount St. Mary's team could look even younger in the net in Saturday's season opener at VMI.
Coach Tom Gravante said the Mountaineers are leaning toward giving the starting goalkeeper role to freshman Matt Vierheller. Junior Frankie McCarthy, who started six games in his first two years, has more experience, but he is still not fully healthy after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against Bryant on April 12, 2014.
"Right now, I still think it's in the hands of Matt Vierheller to lose," Gravante said, adding that he is relying on the advice of associate head coach and defensive coordinator Tim McIntee. "But Frankie is tracking him, and Frankie could see some time on Saturday as well. I think Coach McIntee is staying with Vierheller."
Vierheller started a scrimmage with Loyola Maryland last month and fared well, Gravante said.
"He did a nice job," Gravante said. "He made some tough saves both inside and outside."
The attack also will look different. Senior Mark Hojnoski, who recorded 12 goals and six assists last spring, has recovered from a strained quad, but is now dealing with an Achilles tendon injury.
He is expected to miss Saturday's game, leaving junior Bubba Johnson (13 goals and seven assists), sophomore Spencer Smith (two goals) and freshman Mike Moynihan to lead the attack unit.
"I think those guys have done a nice job of working together," Gravante said. "They're starting to build some natural chemistry between them. So I'm pleased about that."