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The Huntington University
men’s soccer program has high hopes as they enter camp this season. All
thirteen returners, seven of which are seniors, received valuable minutes
last year. The time has come for this class to produce and take the program
to the upper echelon of the Mid Central Conference. “If there’s one message
that was hammered home to us last year, it’s that we are right there with
the best of them,” states Coach Lawson. Last year the Foresters played one
of the strongest schedules in their history and took nationally ranked teams
to overtime. The upper classmen were committed this past off season to
improving all facets of their game and combine that with a talented incoming
class, you can see why the Green and White are optimistic about the 2009
edition of Forester Soccer.
HU kicks off the
non-conference portion of their schedule with a home match against Indiana
Tech and will then play their next four games in Fort Wayne. The Forester’s
second game of the season will take place at the National Soccer Festival
against Cincinnati Christian College. “This will be an excellent opportunity
to showcase the program in front of and along side some of the top fans and
programs in the nation,” comments Lawson. The following weekend Huntington
will take part in the University of Saint Francis Classic where they will
face Brecia University and Shawnee State University. The last game in the
Summit City will be against IPFW. “I am pleased with the early portion of
our schedule because our opponents' playing styles will stretch and
challenge us to perform at our best,” said Coach Lawson. Bluffton,
Manchester, Holy Cross, Calumet College of St. Joseph’s and Moody Bible
Institute round out the remaining non-conference schedule.
The MCC will once again be
a series of battles as conference powers Bethel, Indiana Wesleyan, Goshen
and Saint Francis will look to maintain their tremendous form from a year
ago. Last year’s Foresters showed glimpses of being able to compete with the
top teams in the conference. Four of the nine conference matches went into
overtime last year. Looking at the upcoming season, Coach Lawson sees the
intensity and competitiveness rising to a higher level as the majority of
conference teams return a core of fantastic players.
Leading the way for the
Foresters will be senior captains Brad Kunze and Dustin Shafer. Dustin is a
versatile defender who is a solid marking back and frequently gets the
assignment of marking the opponent’s top strikers. Shafer is also willing to
get in the attack and with his ability to distribute and challenge in the
air, the Foresters have versatility at the right back position. As a center
mid, Brad has the ability to control a game with his tempo. The Foresters
are counting on Kunze’s combination of composure on the ball, knowledge of
the game, and striking ability to fuel HU's offensive production. Other
seniors who will be called upon are midfielders Taylor Zeman (CM) and James
Holliday (Flank) who both bring creativity, composure and pace to the
attack. Marvin Martinez (LB) and Abe Janson (CB) anchor the defensive unit
with their lock down defense and ability to get in the offense. In goal,
Kevin Keske looks to improve his stellar play from a year ago. “We are
fortunate to have these seniors who are outstanding young men who will
continue to impact HU on and off the field,” comments Lawson.
The junior class consists
of two returners who logged major minutes for the Foresters in 2008. Steven
McKay and Eric Bjorndal have the potential of impacting each and every game
they play in. Up top, Steven will bolster the offensive attack with his
finishing ability. Last year Steven scored three game winners and the squad
will look to him for more of that clutch finishing this fall. Eric will once
again strengthen the defensive unit with his ball winning ability and knack
for getting teammates into dangerous situations with his penetrating
passes.
Four sophomores will
continue to put their stamp on the program. As a freshman, striker Steven
Roberts led the Foresters in scoring with 6 goals. Adam McLaughlin and Jared
Boyd are outside midfielders who have the pace and mindset needed to
dominate the flanks. Red shirt freshman Kurt Sanders is coming off a year of
rehab and is back to full strength. The Foresters are looking forward to
Kurt’s organization and intensity in the center back role. All four of these
guys possess a tireless work ethic that will serve them well as they head
into their second season of college ball.
NEWCOMERS
Keeper
Chris Fox, Northrop HS, Fort Wayne, IN
Accomplishments: Played club at Citadel FC, 1st
team all conference, 2008 Indiana Challenge Cup
Champion
Defenders
Austin Schenkel, Northrop HS, Fort Wayne, IN
Accomplishments: Played club at Citadel FC, 2nd
team all conference, 2007 Indiana Challenge Cup
Finalist
Nick Harmsen, Zeeland East HS, Zeeland, MI
Accomplishments: 1st team all district
Kyle VanWagoner, Western HS, Jackson, MI
Accomplishments: 1st team all
conference
Seong Min Jo, Phila-Montgomery HS, Hatfield, PA
Midfielders
Justin Brown,
Lexington HS, Lexington, SC
Accomplishments: Played club at TKO and
Kalamazoo Kingdom, 1st team all district
Isaac Beal, Greenfield Central HS, Greenfield, IN
Accomplishments: 1st team all conference, 1st
team
all county
Brandon Gamble, Northrop HS, Fort Wayne, IN
Accomplishments: Played club at Citadel FC, 2nd
team all conference, 2008 Indiana Challenge Cup
Champion
Forwards
George Halim,
Burnaby Central HS, British Columbia,
Canada
Accomplishments: Played Club at Richmond United,
3 time Provincial Champion, 2008 Team BC invitee
Derek Ressler, Central Christian HS, Apple Creek, OH
Accomplishments: 1st team: all district,
county, great
Akron Coach’s Association |
