2009 record: 7-9-1 (3-5 MCC, T-6th)
Starters returning/lost: 6/5
Letterwinners returning/lost: 8/11
Notable returners:
Tadeo Cavazos Sr. Baytown, Texas
(7-9-1 record, 1.87 GAA, 4 shutouts, 1,587 minutes)
Tim Eyer Sr. Palos Heights, Ill.
(1 goal, 1 assist)
Eric Razo Sr. Joliet, Ill.
(2 assists)
Steve Olson Jr. Cedar Rapids
(1 assist)
Notable losses:
Nik Rule
(Three-time all-MCC)
Vince Beseau
(Four-year letterwinner)
Jacob Plocher
(Three-year letterwinner)
Notable newcomers:
Daniel Beseau Fr. Florissant, Mo.
Mark Dryden Fr. Arbroath, Scotland
Nick Gorrie Fr. Kilmarnock, Scotland
Jordan Hoffman Fr. Hyde Park, Utah
Frankie Sullivan Fr. Essex, England
The William Penn men's soccer team will be seeking redemption as it enters the 2010 campaign..
The Statesmen were 7-9-1 a year ago, but just 3-5 in the Midwest Collegiate Conference, well short of their goal of being one of the top teams in the league.
Fifth-year coach Kevin Rushing and his squad have worked hard since the 2009 year ended in hopes of moving the program to the top.
"Last year was a good year, but not up to par of what our expectations were," Rushing said. "Our returners worked really hard, but some things kept us from getting to where we wanted. The group of seniors that graduated was a great group and I hated to see them go, especially the way their final season went."
"This year's returners are determined to get that bad taste out of their mouth," Rushing added. "They worked hard in the weight room and in spring practice to reach their goal of winning conference."
"We have a big crew of newcomers that will vie for starting slots all across the pitch and will make our team so much better," Rushing added.
Three-year starting goalkeeper Tadeo Cavazos (Sr., Baytown, Texas, Lee HS) tops the list of returners, while Tim Eyer (Sr., Palos Heights, Ill., Shepard HS) will add additional leadership to a relatively young squad that lists just five seniors.
Forward
Scoring opportunities are likely to come from new names and faces as Penn is loaded with newcomers at the forward position.
Eyer, Brandon Nicholson (So., Cedar Falls, Cedar Falls HS), and Chol Deng (So., Des Moines, Lincoln HS) return to add experience to the frontline. Eyer scored one goal with one assist in 2009, while Nicholson played in all but two games as a freshman. He also split time on the cross country squad, but should have a more productive year on the pitch as he will not be competing in cross country this fall.
"Tim is a great leader and all-around player who can play anywhere on the pitch," Rushing said. "Brandon had a great freshman year and will be one of our frontrunners, while Chol is a good role player and should add depth on the offensive side of the ball."
Newcomers Chris Bryant (Fr., Lemont, Ill., Lemont HS), Nick Gorrie (Fr., Kilmarnock, Scotland, Grange Academy), Jordan Hoffman (Fr., Hyde Park, Utah, Skyview HS), Chris White (Fr., Beaumont, Texas, West Brook HS), and Guanrong Luo will push their returning teammates for starting slots.
"Chris Bryant is a great player who has good pace," Rushing said. "Jordan is a shifty, little player and should earn time up top and in the midfield."
"Chris White will give us great support up top and is always looking for the goal," Rushing added. "Guanrong will add depth for us."
Midfielder
Rushing will also be faced with a lack of returning depth in his midfield, but will be blessed with a plethora of new talent.
Byron Munguia (Sr., Baytown, Texas, Lee HS) and 2009 redshirts David Martinez (Fr., Dallas, Texas, Hillcrest HS) and Tom Hogan (Jr., East Moline, Ill., Iowa Central CC) have spent time in the Statesmen system and should benefit the position with their experience. Munguia saw action in seven games off the bench a year ago.
"Byron has the ability to be an outstanding midfielder and David is great on the ball and works very hard," Rushing said. "I am thrilled to have Tom available in the defensive midfield after he redshirted last year."
Daniel Beseau (Fr., Florissant, Mo., Timberland HS), Mark Dryden (Fr., Arbroath, Scotland, Arbroath HS), Taft Fuller (Sr., Portland, Ore., Iowa Western CC), Brendan Johnson (Fr., Clinton, Clinton HS), Tyler Mather (Jr., Des Moines, Iowa Western CC), and Antonio Ramirez (Fr., Dallas, Texas, Skyline HS) all bring to the table different qualities that will help the program.
"The younger brother of former Penn player Vince Beseau, I am excited to have Daniel in our program and he will be an impact player immediately," Rushing said. "Mark will also make waves as soon as he touches our turf."
"Taft is super as a central midfielder," Rushing added. "Brendan will be a nice addition, while Tyler should be an excellent role player. Antonio is exciting to watch and should help us most as an offensive midfielder."
Some of the individuals up top, including Bryant, Danielson, Eyer, Hoffman, and Nicholson, may also see time in the midfield.
Defender
The Statesmen find their most returning depth on the defensive side of the ball and will be leaning on that asset in the early part of 2010.
2009 starters Danny Aguerre (Sr., Salt Lake City, Utah, Iowa Western CC), Steve Olson (Jr., Cedar Rapids, Linn-Mar HS), and Eric Razo (Sr., Joliet, Ill., Joliet CC) represent a formidable trio on the backline. Razo assisted on two goals last season and Olson helped on one score.
"Danny is a great defender and team leader, while Steve will anchor our back with excellent speed," Rushing said. "Steve also has the ability to move the ball forward quickly, while Eric is a flashy defender. He can make you miss and then move the ball into the offensive attack."
Patrick Christian (So., Baytown, Texas, Lee HS) and Tim McHawes (So., Rose Hill, Oskaloosa HS) return as well. Both saw limited time last campaign.
"Patrick works hard and should add depth, while Tim is a good team player and knows his role well," Rushing said.
Rushing has also added John Andersen (So., University Park, Oskaloosa HS), Aaron Rose (Jr., Ottumwa, Indian Hills CC) and Frankie Sullivan (Fr., Essex, England, Shenfield HS) to bolster the defense.
"John trained really hard in the spring and will add good depth," Rushing said. "Aaron is also a hard worker and will earn time because of his work ethic. Frankie is an excellent defender that will win a lot of balls out of the air."
Rodney Burns-Dalton (Fr., St. Louis, Mo., Ritenour HS) will help the team in practice during a redshirt campaign.
Goalkeeper
Cavazos enters his final collegiate campaign with plenty to prove. The school record-holder for career shutouts (14), he is back after going 7-9-1 last year with a 1.87 Goals Against Average.
"Tadeo is a solid keeper and will have the inside track for the starting slot because of his experience," Rushing said.
Despite Cavazos' experience, the position is very much an open competition as 2009 redshirt Sam Gurski (Fr., Beaumont, Texas, West Brook HS) will finally see the field this fall.
"Sam worked his tail off in the offseason and is ready to compete for the keeper position," Rushing said. "This position should be very strong for us because whoever wins it will have to work hard every day to keep it."
Schedule
A stiff non-conference slate opens on August 27 as Penn hosts Concordia (Neb.) in Oskaloosa. Seven teams on the Statesmen schedule, including two from within the league, played for or advanced to the 2009 NAIA National Tournament, leading Rushing to believe this year should be one of the toughest his program has faced in his tenure.
"This is probably the toughest schedule we have ever played," Rushing said. "Our non-conference foes will be just as tough as our league opponents so every game should be a battle."
Conference
Rushing expects the road to conference glory to be one racked with difficulty, projecting at least six teams to be in the title mix.
"It should be an exciting conference season," Rushing said. "Six of the nine teams will be very competitive and will have the ability to win a lot of games. Defending champion Ashford should be the team to beat with most of their team back. Viterbo was young last year and still finished second so they will only get better. Grand View is always near the top as well."
"I am very excited about this year," Rushing said. "With so many new guys coming in to add to a great group of returners, practice should be really competitive. No one will be coming in with a spot locked up and everyone will have to work hard. As long as we can stay healthy, I think we can reach our goal of being at the top of the conference."
