The 2011 Pitt-Bradford men’s soccer season was one of many firsts.

The Panthers finished third in the AMCC regular season, the best mark in school history, and hosted the program’s first-ever home night and postseason matches.

In the conference tournament semifinals, Pitt-Bradford erased a three-goal deficit in the second half, only to fall in the closing minutes to eventual champion Penn State Behrend. The confidence gained from that match is something the Panthers hope to carry over to Friday’s season opener against Keuka as they look to establish consistency as a program.

“Even though our pre-season poll does not reflect how good we will be this year, as a team we really believe we will have a legitimate chance at the conference championship,” said sixth-year head coach Darek Panol.

Pitt-Bradford was picked to finish fifth in the AMCC preseason poll in part because six players graduated. Gone is two-time Co-AMCC Player of the Year Toby Abdul-Razaq and all-conference performers Kyle Lewis and Shane Gebert. Despite the losses, Panol is excited about the core group returning and its balance.

“The great thing about this team is that we do not have any stars,” said Panol. “We are a very well balanced team.

“We understand that in order for us to succeed we need to work harder than ever, and this team is very willing to do that.”

No one reflects that more than team captain and three-year starter Clint Corman. A versatile midfielder, he has the ability to impact the game in several ways.

“Clint is our hardest working player and arguably the fittest,” said Panol. “He’s a great example of a leader by example.”

Corman is one of six starters returning for the Panthers in 2012. He will be joined in the midfield by junior Korbin Keene, who was second on the team last year with six goals and earned second-team all-conference honors.

Junior Nick Walker also returns and figures to play a bigger role in the team’s attack this year, and sophomore Seth Levy, the only freshman to start every game for the Panthers last year, is back to solidify one of the deepest units in the conference. Sophomore Adebimola Ogunyale and newcomers Josiah Blick and Meleki Wamulume will also be in the mix for playing time in the midfield.

The defense will be anchored by all-conference junior goalkeeper Adam Forster, who ranked among the top netminders in the AMCC statistically last season. Senior Travis Herr will be one of the team’s top defenders. A three-year starter, Herr is a hardnosed back that offers experience on what will be a revamped back line. He will be joined by senior Nick Gier, sophomores Angel Achar, a Bradford native, Bryan Nelson, and newcomer Matt Moore.

The biggest hole Pitt-Bradford must fill is the scoring output of the departed Abdul-Razaq. He finished his career as the all-time leading goal scorer, accounting for nearly 44 percent of the team’s goals the last four years. Senior Tyler Hinojosa and sophomore Jeler Mendez are the most experienced forwards, and newcomers Brian Bao, Colton Bly and Jah Momo Wilson will be given every chance to earn playing time.

Panol believes Bradford native Bly, who stands at 6 foot 5 inches, can emerge as the next great scorer in Pitt-Bradford history.

“He has the abilities to be a very good Division III player, maybe even elite if he lives up to his full potential,” said Panol.

The midfield attack will take some pressure off the group up front, but eventually the strikers must emerge as a threat in order for the Panthers to duplicate last year’s success.

The non-conference schedule will be demanding as Pitt-Bradford opens the season in the Keuka Lakefront Classic and has tough matches against Lycoming, Juniata, Elmira and Waynesburg. In conference play, Medaille and Penn State Behrend are the frontrunners for the league title. Penn State Altoona and La Roche also figure to be in the mix as well.

The Panthers totaled seven wins a year ago, the most since 2006, but this year’s squad must start better than last year’s version. Pitt-Bradford opened the season with five consecutive defeats only to win its next four. Again, consistency will be the theme throughout the season.

Last year’s squad elevated the program to new heights. This year, the Panthers must continue to add to that legacy.