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This year’s edition of HU
soccer is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to make an impact in the
Mid-Central Conference. Eleven return from last year’s squad that showed
great promise against some of the top teams in the MCC and the NAIA region.
A key win over a strong Marian team and a tie on the road against Goshen,
who made it all the way to the national tournament, has the 2007 Foresters
believing they can compete at a high level.
Coach Lawson has added
seven
freshmen to the roster that will inject size and speed to the line up. Each
of the newcomers have been leaders at the high school level and experienced
a great deal of individual and team success. “Last year we went 1-2-1
against the top four teams in the MCC with two of those losses coming by one
goal,” said Lawson. “We proved to ourselves that we can compete with the
best in our conference. With the core group of players we have returning and
the promise of a talented freshmen class, I can’t help but be excited about
the fall. Once we build cohesion I believe this team will be poised to make
a great deal of noise in the MCC.”
Offensively, the Foresters
will look to improve their scoring output from a year ago with a more
balanced attack. “Our time of possession increased, which led to plenty of
quality scoring opportunities in 2006,” stated Lawson. “With two starting
strikers and four starting midfielders returning, the year of playing
together should pay off.”
Second team all-conference
midfielder Joel Sanders will once again be counted on for offensive
production. As a senior, Sanders is looking to increase his output from a
year ago when he netted 10 goals and dished out seven assists.
Up top, the Foresters will
look for increased production from seniors Marc William, Andrew Wust and
sophomore James Holliday who combined for eight goals and four assists last
season. William, who is a gifted player with excellent composure on the
ball and the ability to combine with teammates, will make the transition
up the field to become the Foresters’ target striker. Wust and Holliday both
have the potential to dominate and double their production with their pace
and knack for getting in behind defenses. Waiting in the wings will be
freshmen strikers Dustin Woods, Steven McKay, and Jacob Rose, each of whom
put up impressive stats for their respective high schools.
Midfield will once again be
a strength for the Foresters with the return of Sanders and freshmen
standouts Brad Kunze and Marvin Martinez. Kunze brings vision,
composure and tackling ability which will help generate a great deal of
offense. Martinez will make the move to the flanks which will enable HU
to attack with pace and skill. “Marvin technically can break defenders down
on a regular basis so this move will allow him to receive the ball in open
space,” said Lawson. Freshmen Dan Allison and Alec Roush will look to
challenge for significant minutes as they transition to a faster and more
physical brand of soccer.
Defensively, the Foresters
bring back sophomore keepers Matt Boyer and Kevin Keske and outside backs
Tyler Gleason, Dustin Shafer and Kyle Brohm. They all played major roles in
helping HU drop their team goals against average to 1.79 which is the best
it has been in recent years. Both keepers saw action in 11 games last year
gaining valuable experience between the pipes. “Matt and Kevin are two great
competitors who hate to lose which makes for intense and productive training
sessions,” said Lawson. “Our outside backs are experienced, quick, and
disciplined. Their courage to win the 50/50 balls and willingness to jump up
in the attack will be a key ingredient to the Foresters’ success this year.”
Freshmen Eric Bjorndal, Jason Metzger and Sam Schoutko will look to secure
the two central back roles. Each one of these defenders has the size and
intelligence to step up immediately.
The Foresters have fielded
a tremendously hard working team that will compete in every match. “The
players are entering into the season with the notion that there are ‘No
Shortcuts to Success’ and that should make for entertaining soccer,” said
Lawson.
HU opens the season at the
University of St. Francis Classic where they will play Shawnee State and
Aquinas. “Out of the gate, the men will be tested with a strong
non-conference schedule, which will prepare them for the battles that lie
ahead with the likes of IWU, Bethel, Taylor and Goshen,” stated Lawson.
The MCC will be ultra-competitive where teams will not be allowed to look
past an opponent without repercussions. Strong leadership, an improved
attack, disciplined defending and willingness to play for each other are
reasons why this edition of the Foresters will be a fun and exciting team to
follow. |
