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There
will be high expectations riding on the Foresters’ shoulders for the
upcoming 2008 men’s soccer season. Coach Russ Lawson returns nine juniors
and four sophomores, all of whom started and played major minutes on a team
that went 8-10 in 2007. “After a successful off-season of training, I
believe the men have positioned themselves well to compete at a very high
level this year,” states Coach Lawson. “I’m pleased with our skill
development and cohesion and am eagerly awaiting our season opener on
September 4.”
Eleven
freshmen, all with the capability of lifting HU’s level of play, also join
the roster, giving Coach Lawson visible strength in numbers. “With a
skilled and committed roster of 24, we are going to have a competitive
environment on a daily basis,” says Coach Lawson.
Once
again HU will have a tandem of junior classmates minding the nets. Matt
Boyer and Kevin Keske helped anchor a defense that had a goals against
average of 1.83 last year. ‘Kevin and Matt have the ability to change the
momentum of a match with their shot stopping ability, but it is their
willingness to support and compete for minutes that truly make these keepers
special,” adds Coach Lawson.
For
the first time in recent years the Foresters will start a campaign with
experience on the backline. Juniors Dustin Shafer and Kyle Brohm are lock
down defenders that have the athletic ability, speed, and awareness to close
down top strikers. Junior Abe Janson and sophomores Eric Bjorndal and Dan
Allison are seasoned players who organize well and bring a toughness to each
match they are in. Joining the backline this year will be freshmen Josh
Watson, Todd Fiedler, and Nathan Boyer who have all shown the capability of
making a smooth transition to marking stronger and faster collegiate
strikers.
Versatile is the best way to describe HU’s midfield unit. Juniors Brad
Kunze, Taylor Zeman and James Holliday and sophomore Sam Schoutko will look
to set the tempo in the middle third of the park. Freshmen Stephen Pettifor,
Adam McLaughlin, Jared Boyd, Ben Swartz, and Cody Stachler will all add
speed, ball winning, and the ability to play inside and out on the flanks.
“Brad and Taylor have great chemistry on the field and I am looking forward
to their ability to control the center of the park,” states Coach Lawson.
“James and Sam made tremendous strides this winter and I am excited about
the offense they will generate this fall. Add the incoming midfielders to
the mix and we will have the talent needed to compete against the top teams
in the region,” comments Coach Lawson.
The
Forester strikers will be led by junior Marvin Martinez. “Marvin is
courageous in taking defenders off the dribble, but also is content in
carving up defensive units with his technical ability and vision,” says
Coach Lawson. Along side Martinez will be sophomore Steven McKay, HU’s top
returning scorer with eight goals in his inaugural season. Steven Roberts
and Steffen Shannon are both creative freshmen who have the ability to score
goals at the NAIA level. “Strikers must finish and all of these guys have
what it takes to get the job done on a consistent basis,“ adds Coach Lawson.
“I do like the fact that we will be more mobile this year with the
experience and talent to break teams down in multiple ways.”
Key
dates on the 2008 schedule include Judson University Tournament that has
NAIA powers Notre Dame College and St. Ambrose University as well as the
competitive MCC that saw three teams nationally ranked in the top twenty
last season. “Our players and staff both realize the opportunity that we
have in front of us. With our character, work rate and willingness to play
as one; I envision us turning some heads in the MCC” states Coach Lawson. |
