Aug. 11, 2016
GOALKEEPER
Returning Letterwinners (0): None
Letterwinners Lost (2): Emmanuel Espinoza, Felix Petermann
Squad Members Lost (1): Sean Boyle
Newcomers (3): Kristopher Donaldson (FR), Rodrigo Reyes (FR), Nedin Tucakovic (SO)
At the goalkeeping position, the San José State men's soccer team will turn to three newcomers to vie for the starting spot as the Spartans lose all three keepers from last year's roster.
The newcomers include freshman Kristopher Donaldson from Trinidad and Tobago, freshman Rodrigo Reyes from nearby Lincoln high school, and San Diego State transfer and San Jose native Nedin Tucakovic.
"None of the goalies on roster have played for San José State yet. We graduated two seniors in Manny (Espinoza) and Felix (Petermann)," said Spartans men's soccer head coach Simon Tobin.
Sean Boyle, a third goalkeeper, did not see any game action.
"It was an area that needed to be filled immediately so I brought Nedin in from San Diego State in the spring and he played all our spring games and did well," said Tobin.
The Spartans head coach pointed to Tucakovic's six-foot-three frame and playing experience as his strong suit where he appeared in three San Diego State matches totaling 238 minutes of playing time.
"Nedin played a couple of games at San Diego State last year but he is a local kid who wanted to come home.
"Nedin's got great size and good presence. He's played at a high level at the Mountain West and also with the Bosnian Youth National team. He's just a good, solid goalie. He's very confident."
Tobin hopes Tucakovic is challenged by incoming freshman Kristopher Donaldson, praising his athleticism and skilled feet which allows him to essentially be a fifth defender from the goalkeeping position.
"If they're good with their feet, its like passing to another defender and they just keep the ball moving. So the modern goalie is more and more like that and I think Kristopher is going to be very good at that. I think he is capable of playing pretty quickly. He's very, very athletic with good feet," said Tobin.
The third goalie in the mix is freshman Rodrigo Reyes.
"If he works hard this year or so, should emerge to play at this level," said Tobin.
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