The Doane College men's soccer program will begin year two under Head Coach Greg Jarosik with expectations raised. After a late season slump led the Tigers to a 12th place finish in the GPAC, Doane has been picked sixth in the preseason GPAC coach's poll. The team finished with a 6-10-1 mark a year ago and compiled a 3-8-1 record in conference play. Several key players return from a squad that improved their scoring output last year.
With expectations raised, thoughts of qualifying for the NAIA National Championship may creep into some minds. There have been some changes at the national level which will favor the conference as the GPAC will receive two bids to the national tournament.
The first bid to the conference for the national tournament will go to the regular season champion while the second bid goes to the post-season champion. If the two champions are the same, the second bid to the national tournament will go to the runner-up of the post-season tournament.
Tigers Geared up for Action
The men's soccer team will have a solid balance in each class this season, giving the Tigers a balance in experience and youth. In total, 29 men reported for camp in early August. Four seniors and five juniors serve as the experienced side of the team while 20 sophomores and freshmen will carry the youthful side.
The seniors are led by Jeff Wick (Ft. Collins, Colo.) who was the GPAC leader in assists last year with eight. He was also third on the team with five goals scored. Chris Hedgecock (North Platte, Neb.) finished 2007 second on the team with five assists. He added three goals, one as a game-winner.
|
Thomas Dutcher
will anchor the defense in '08 |
Thomas Dutcher (Waukee, Iowa) will help anchor the defense and posted two goals and one assists last year. Jason Green (Simi Valley, Calif.) will compete for a back-up goal keeper position. Chris Kavinsky (Englewood, Colo.) leads the junior corps. Kavinsky took over as the Tiger netminder last year and posted a 2.00 goals against average (GAA). He picked up five wins and a pair of shutouts.
Jose Mejia (Columbus, Neb.) returns after posting two goals in 10 games. Aaron Ideus (Lawrence, Kan.) returns on defense after starting seven of 11 games played after missing some time due to an injury.
New additions to the program are Dwight Joseph (Lincoln, Neb.) and Juan Padilla (Papillion, Neb.). Joseph was a member of the football program last season while Padilla was at Bellevue University.
The Tigers' top two scorers return from last year's team and they are in the sophomore class. Monday Akogwu (Wheaton, Ill.) set a school record with 14 goals last year for the Tigers while adding three assists. Kyle Smith (Mission Hills, SD) posted seven goals and two assists.
Andrew Moore (Omaha, Neb.) posted three goals and four assists last season, playing in each team game. Bryce Petersen (Lincoln, Neb.) posted one goal and two assists in 15 games. Trevor Moss (Littleton, Colo.) played in 12 games on the defensive end, starting five.
Other sophomores looking to contribute this season will be Tyler Emerson (Hickman, Neb.), Marcus Lyon (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Trever Reeh (Blair, Neb.) and Mitchell Schroeder (Franktown, Colo.)
The freshman class has several players looking to add their skills to the varsity team. There is a Colorado flavor to the recruit class as four players come in from the Rocky Mountain State. Andrew Busovsky (Colorado Springs, Colo.) earned most improved honors last year and will compete for time in goal. Kyle Hill (Breckenridge, Colo.) will also compete for time in net. Tyler Price (Colorado Springs, Colo.) is a forward, looking to add to the Tiger's offensive attack. Jordan Schafer (Denver, Colo.) was a member of the 2008 Class 5A state runner-up Grandview H.S. squad and plays midfield.
Three Millard South H.S. (Omaha, Neb.) graduates join this year's squad. Sean Dougherty (Omaha, Neb.) was named Second Team All-State in 2008 for the Class A state champions. Josh Novak (Omaha, Neb.) earned All-State honor in two consecutive years in both soccer and wrestling. Devon Strecker (Omaha, Neb.) was named the captain of the All-State Team in 2008 and earned All-State honors in all four years.
The Omaha area also brings in John Thurman (Papillion, Neb.) and Nick Kaufmann (Elkhorn, Neb.). Thurman earned All-Omaha Metro honors at forward while Kaufmann received All-State and All-Conference honors.
Wes Erickson (Norwalk, Iowa) played for the 2007 Class 1A state champions, WDM Dowling Catholic H.S. They also earned state runner-up in 2006 and 2008. Joining Erickson as an Iowa native is Jace Peters (Glenwood, Iowa). Peters earned Second Team All-State honors in 2008 and helped his team qualify for the Class 1A state tournament.
Thoughts and Comments from Coach Jarosik
Despite the talent returning and coming in amongst the new recruits, improvements still need to be made as a team. Defense is a big area that must improve if Doane will take strides forward this season.
"We have improved greatly on the defensive side of the ball," comments Coach Jarosik. "Players like Jace Peters, Sean Dougherty and Juan Padilla will step in to help returner Thomas Dutcher on our back line. We also have a lot of quality depth this year, something we have lacked in the past."
Two players are expected to help lead the defense according to Jarosik, as they intend on improving the 1.77 GAA the team posted last year.
"Freshmen Jace Peters and junior Chris Kavinsky will anchor of defense. Chris is a very solid goalkeeper and will lead the team from his goal box. Jace is a special kind of player and we are very excited to have him in a Doane uniform this fall."
|
Monday Akogwu
set single season record for goals in 2007 with 14 |
Offensively, the Tigers return five of their top six goal scorers from a year ago. Monday Akogwu's school record 14 goals led the way but by mid-season, GPAC defenders had their complete attention on him. For the Tigers to continue to improve offensively, other players will need to continue to step up. "Monday Akogwu returns as a sophomore this year after breaking the single-season scoring record for Doane as a freshman. Although he will draw a lot of attention this year, players like All-State captain Devon Strecker and senior Jeff Wick will surely add a punch to our attack."
Coach Jarosik believes competition will fuel the Tigers this year and it will be essential for the team to be successful.
"We need to continue to battle everyday at practice and on the game field. We have a much deeper team this year and I feel it can breed the kind of inner competition needed as players fight for playing time."
Non-Conference Slate to Provide Tune-up
Doane College will open the season with a road trip to Chicago in the final week of August to face Robert Morris College and Illinois Institute of Technology. The Tigers have never faced off against Robert Morris and are 2-0 all-time versus Illinois Tech.
The home opener is slated for September 3 against William Jewell College, a traditional NAIA power-house. The Cardinals were ranked as high as No. 1 last season before finishing the year at 9-7.
Doane will head on the road for a weekend trip to the Kansas City metro-area in early September. The Tigers will face off against Avila University and Ottawa University on September 5-6, respectively. The team returns home for a meeting with Tabor College on September 10, the first between the two schools.
GPAC Remains Tough
The schedule in the GPAC will be as tough as ever in 2008. The Tigers will open on the road with trips to Midland Lutheran College and Dordt College.
Doane will then play three straight home games in conference play starting with Concordia University on September 23. The Tigers and Bulldogs have battled in three consecutive overtime games.
Briar Cliff University and Dana College will round out the home stand. Doane defeated BCU in Sioux City last year to open up GPAC play while battling to a scoreless tie against the Vikings.
Doane will head to Sioux City on October 4 to take on Morningside College. The Mustangs are expected to be a contender for the GPAC crown once again this year.
A short home stand will feature the University of Sioux Falls on October 11 and rival Nebraska Wesleyan University on October 15. Doane lost to NWU in overtime last year in a game that was originally postponed due to inclement weather conditions (lightning).
The Tigers return to the road for a battle with the other Tigers in the GPAC, Dakota Wesleyan University. Doane had a strong showing in a 6-0 victory last year in Crete. A trip to Hastings College on October 22 is probably the biggest rivalry game for Doane in men's soccer. Hastings is the defending GPAC champions and when these two teams hook up, a classic finish is almost assured.
The final home game is scheduled for October 25 against Mount Marty College. The regular season will come to a close on November 1 at Northwestern College.