2008 Woodie Awards
Ready, set, goal
Tony Patrico
Issue date: 8/28/07 Section: Sports
SIUE men's soccer will open up its season this weekend as they travel to Memphis to face Christian Brothers University. The Cougars have rolled through their preseason schedule and look to take their projected top spot at No. 1 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.
After two impressive one-goal victory games over NCAA Division-I opponents Tulsa and Creighton, the Cougars look toward D-II success in their final year before reclassifying.
The Cougars finished ranked No. 8 nationally in D-II competition with a record of 15-4-3 overall and 10-2-1 in the GLVC. The Cougars become champions of the GLVC before being eliminated in Regional Tournament play.
For Ed Huneke, in his final year as head coach, this season shows much importance to him, the team and the university.
"Every opponent will be gunning for us," Huneke said on this year's competition. "If we're not ready for their intensity, they could upset us."
The Cougars will take the field with 12 returning letter winners, including six returning starters. Five returning players also received GLVC honors last season.
Junior defensive back and captain Zach Bauer said that the return of some of these key players could be a reason for large success.
"Dustin Attarian is a very dangerous attacker and a goal scorer," Bauer said. "Randy Roy is a solid midfielder with good leadership and goalies Greg Crook and Scott Meyer are both big-time goalies that are expected to have big years."
As last season came to a close, the core of SIUE men's soccer departed from the team. John Matthews, Mike Zaegal, Victor Pacheco and Mike Banner all were key ingredients to SIUE's success. As they graduated, new leaders were called upon.
"Everyone must produce," Huneke said. "To reach our goals we can not have any weak links in the chain."
A key member in that chain is senior forward Ross Beveridge. Beveridge netted seven goals last season, tying him for second most on the team. Joining him up top leading the attack will be sophomore forward Kevin Bielicki.
"All conference games are big but we are looking forward to playing Rockhurst, Parkside, and Northern Kentucky," Bauer said. "Rockhurst has a solid team, Parkside is always tough, and Northern Kentucky ended our season last year."
For some Cougar players, the best time for a championship run is now. This will be the final year the Cougars will compete in D-II play.
"The most exciting thing is the road to the tournament," Bielicki said. "I think we have a legit chance at winning it this year. We have to train hard and come together as a team."
After two impressive one-goal victory games over NCAA Division-I opponents Tulsa and Creighton, the Cougars look toward D-II success in their final year before reclassifying.
The Cougars finished ranked No. 8 nationally in D-II competition with a record of 15-4-3 overall and 10-2-1 in the GLVC. The Cougars become champions of the GLVC before being eliminated in Regional Tournament play.
For Ed Huneke, in his final year as head coach, this season shows much importance to him, the team and the university.
"Every opponent will be gunning for us," Huneke said on this year's competition. "If we're not ready for their intensity, they could upset us."
The Cougars will take the field with 12 returning letter winners, including six returning starters. Five returning players also received GLVC honors last season.
Junior defensive back and captain Zach Bauer said that the return of some of these key players could be a reason for large success.
"Dustin Attarian is a very dangerous attacker and a goal scorer," Bauer said. "Randy Roy is a solid midfielder with good leadership and goalies Greg Crook and Scott Meyer are both big-time goalies that are expected to have big years."
As last season came to a close, the core of SIUE men's soccer departed from the team. John Matthews, Mike Zaegal, Victor Pacheco and Mike Banner all were key ingredients to SIUE's success. As they graduated, new leaders were called upon.
"Everyone must produce," Huneke said. "To reach our goals we can not have any weak links in the chain."
A key member in that chain is senior forward Ross Beveridge. Beveridge netted seven goals last season, tying him for second most on the team. Joining him up top leading the attack will be sophomore forward Kevin Bielicki.
"All conference games are big but we are looking forward to playing Rockhurst, Parkside, and Northern Kentucky," Bauer said. "Rockhurst has a solid team, Parkside is always tough, and Northern Kentucky ended our season last year."
For some Cougar players, the best time for a championship run is now. This will be the final year the Cougars will compete in D-II play.
"The most exciting thing is the road to the tournament," Bielicki said. "I think we have a legit chance at winning it this year. We have to train hard and come together as a team."
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