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men's soccer
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2007 outlook
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2007 Outlook
Optimism High For Gannon After
Back-to-Back Winning Seasons
The 2007 season will begin
with a fork in the road for the Golden Knights. Optimism is running high throughout
the program after back-to-back winning seasons. Twelve letterwinners and
nine starters return from last year’s 11-6-1 squad, causing many in the soccer
world to believe 2007 might be the year Gannon returns to the post-season.
However, the preseason has been about more than just trying to get the team
in shape. Injuries have taken a toll on the Golden Knights. A possible season-ending
injury and numerous other setbacks have left 11th-year head coach Rob van
Rheenen scrambling to put the same 11 players on the field at all times.
In addition to the injuries, the NCAA has yet to clear redshirt senior Greg
Snazyk and true freshman Afrim Latifi for play. Both are expected to get cleared
before the season starts and should see considerable playing time.
“It has been an up and down preseason for us for a variety of reasons,” indicated
van Rheenen. “We haven’t been able to scrimmage with what could be our possible
starting lineup. Plus, we’re trying to fit in new players and transition
into a different system on defense. We’ve moved some people to different
positions. It’s just going to take time to click.”
Despite the rocky preseason, Gannon expects to have one of the Great Lakes
region’s best teams. The Golden Knights have reached double digits in victories
during four of the last five seasons, narrowly missing the NCAA Division II
Tournament on several occasions.
“The post-season is a legitimate goal for this team,” said van Rheenen.
“It’s a goal we’ve talked about since day one of preseason camp. I think
anything else would be disappointing considering our talent, the returning
upperclassmen, and a solid freshman class.”
FORWARDS
There will be a change for
Gannon in the front of the pack this season, but it doesn’t mean the squad
will lack scoring ability.
Rudi Costa, Gannon’s leading scorer last season with 11 goals, has moved
into the midfield. Brian Yanful, who tallied four goals and three assists,
graduated.
However, Gannon gets back one of the region’s best players in Dan Howell.
The Erie, Pa., native was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year and landed a spot
on the all-region second team in 2005, but was forced to sit out the entire
2006 campaign due to an injury.
“Howell was a little rusty in camp because he hasn’t played competitive
soccer for over a year,” noted van Rheenen. “It will take him time to get
into game shape, but he is your quintessential goal scorer. He strikes the
ball well and simply has a knack for scoring.”
Latifi and junior Geneo Oberst have been battling for the other starting
position up front. “Afrim has earned himself a look as a starter after a good
preseason camp,” said van Rheenen. “He is a creative player who likes to
take on players and can score goals.”
Regardless of who starts, both players are expected to see plenty of playing
time. Oberst had an impressive second half last season, scoring goals in each
of the final three matches. He finished the season with four goals and one
assist.
Brendan McNicholas, who served as the starting placekicker for Gannon’s
football team during the last four seasons, will also see playing time at
forward. He joined the team after his football eligibly expired last fall
and will have one year of eligibility.
Junior Adam Maduri was expected to be a major contributor at forward this
season, but his season is in jeopardy after a preseason injury.
MIDFIELDERS
A few changes in Gannon’s
midfield may make the biggest difference in the Golden Knights’ play this
season. van Rheenen has moved two impact players into the middle of the field
- Costa and Gareth Kolkenbeck-Ruh.
Costa will assume an attacking midfielder role and Kolkenbeck-Ruh will organize
the team out of the middle. “Those two players have played together for awhile,”
said van Rheenen. “I think that will benefit our team. Our strength comes
out of the midfield.”
Costa earned all-region honors last season after recording 22 points. Kolkenbeck-Ruh,
the 2005 GLIAC Defender of the Year, has been named to back-to-back all-region
squads.
Chad Wynter is another player who will be moving into the midfield from
another position. The junior played his first two seasons on defense, but
will bring his offensive firepower up the field. “Wynter will get a look
as an outside midfielder,” noted van Rheenen. “He can make great runs with
the ball on his foot and his strengths will be best served on the outside.”
Junior Tomas Latocha and freshman Andrew Lorei add to a loaded midfield.
Latocha was Gannon’s second-leading scorer last season with five goals, four
assists, and 14 points. Lorei recently completed a stellar career at Cathedral
Prep High School. He could also see time at forward.
Sophomores Chad Rowan and Rich Petersen, along with freshmen Kyle Kozik
and John Connelly, will also compete for playing time in the middle. Ken
Jespersen and Kevin Strell are expected to redshirt in 2007.
DEFENSE
Two returning starters lead
the Gannon defense. Matt Cuthbert transferred to Gannon prior to the 2006
season and made an immediate impact. The senior started 17 matches and was
named to the All-GLIAC second team. He will anchor the defense from the middle.
Junior Ryan Elser completes the returning duo. He is expected to start on
the left side after being one of six Golden Knights to start every match last
season.
Transfer Bruce Stephens and sophomore Jonathan Whiley are the other two
projected starters in the back. “Stephens will play in the middle with Cuthbert
if he stays healthy,” said van Rheenen. “Whiley is probably the quickest
player we have. He came to camp in great shape and is doing a nice job at
right back.”
Whiley played in 15 matches last season, starting two. He posted three goals
and one assist.
Junior Andy Hay and sophomore Adam Minnaugh round out Gannon’s group of
defenders competing for playing time. Hay saw action in five matches last
season.
“We’re a little deeper on defense than we’ve been in the past,” stated van
Rheenen. “It has already helped with our early-season injuries and will continue
to benefit us throughout the season.”
GOALKEEPERS
Last season, Gannon entered
the campaign without an experienced goalkeeper and a question mark in goal.
In 2007, the Golden Knights have the luxury of two solid returning goalkeepers.
Sophomores Matthew Ruston and Steven Boehmer have emerged as the two favorites
to garner the starting position in net. “The race is between them,” said
van Rheenen. “Both have different strengths and it will be a good competition.”
Ruston started 15 matches last season as a true freshman. He ranked second
among GLIAC goalkeepers in goals against average (1.24), save percentage (.747),
and shutouts (5). His five shutouts marked the seventh-highest single-season
total in school history.
Boehmer saw less time, but played well in two starts against Saginaw Valley
State and Mercyhurst. He went 1-1 with a 2.50 goals against average and .643
save percentage.
“Ruston is a good shot blocker and has quick reflexes,” noted van Rheenen.
“Boehmer also has great reflexes and distributes the ball well.” Senior Pat
Dragoone will serve as the back-up goalkeeper.
THE
SCHEDULE
As always, getting into the
NCAA Division II Tournament through the Great Lakes Region bracket will be
no easy task. Four teams within the region are listed in the National Soccer
Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) preseason poll. Three of those teams
are Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) teams. SIU Edwardsville heads the
list at No. 7 while Northern Kentucky and Wisconsin-Parkside are ranked eighth
and 23rd, respectively.
Gannon wastes little time jumping into the Great Lakes Region’s waters.
The Golden Knights open the season against three GLVC squads, beginning with
Kentucky Wesleyan on August 24. The opening three-match homestand also includes
contests against Southern Indiana and Indianapolis.
Following a six-match road trip that lasts most of September, the Golden
Knights play six of their last nine matches at home.
Gannon University~University Square ~ Erie, PA 16541-0001
Toll
Free: 1-800-GANNON-U
Sports Press Box E-mail
updated
8/26/07 by: drt
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