2011 MSOE men's soccer preview
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Published: 08/18/2011 |
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The MSOE men's soccer team has finished in the top four of the Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) during the past three seasons, but plan on kicking it up a level in 2011.
"We have improved in the last few years, but in order for us to win the big games, key players have to step up and contribute," said head coach Jimmy Banks.
Last season, the Raiders placed third in the NAC with a record of 8-3 in conference games and were 10-9 overall as they played a tough non-conference schedule.
"I feel we are one of the top teams in the conference," Banks said. "We need to learn to have confidence and believe we can beat anyone in the NAC."
Senior midfielder Dan Hosko (Pittsburgh, Penn./Keystone Oaks) was named First Team All-NAC as led the team with eight goals, nine assists and 25 points. Hosko was also named to the CoSIDA/ESPN Academic All-District Second Team for District 5.
"Dan Hosko is an excellent leader and demands his teammates to play with a winning attitude, game in and game out," Banks said. "He is a leader that we need this year."
In the midfield, Hosko will team up with junior Brad Meissner (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) and sophomore Patrick Gathof (Beloit, Wis./Beloit Memorial) as the main catalysts for those positions. Gathof was selected as a member of the NAC All-Freshman Team. Meissner returns to the field after a knee injury kept him out of action last season.
"Brad Meissner coming back from a knee injury has much to offer at midfield," Banks said. "He can attack as well as defend. Patrick Gathof has improved tremendously and is expected to add to our offensive attack."
Senior Michael Vanek (Greenfield, Wis./South Milwaukee) and sophomores Mariano Suaso-Rodriguez (Greenfield, Wis./Greenfield) and Noah Corbeil-Wild (Minneapolis, Minn./South High) will serve as attacking forwards for MSOE in 2011. Suaso-Rodriguez had a hat trick last season against Rockford. Corbeil-Wild contributed four assists in his first campaign.
Seniors Ben Sprecher (Muskego, Wis./Muskego) and Matt Keating (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North) will lead the defense this season for the Raiders. Sophomore defender Robert Nogle (Antioch, Ill./Antioch Community) was named to the NAC All-Freshman Team last season.
Other players expected to see action in the midfield and back line include seniors Ben Spacek (Cudahy, Wis./Cudahy), Jeremy Liedtke (Mukwonago, Wis./Mukwonago) and Paul Stimpson (Green Bay, Wis./Preble) and junior Dominic Ridolfi (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) sophomore Jake Tenut (Carol Stream, Ill./Glenbard North).
Senior Jon Cerny (Delevan, Wis./Delevan-Darien) is back in net for the Raiders as he recorded four shutouts last year which put him fourth in the NAC. 2010 was Cerny's first full season as MSOE's starting goalie. One of his backups will be sophomore Michael Fricke (Baraboo, Wis./Luther Preparatory) who saw limited action last year for the Raiders.
There will be some newcomers looking to make their name right away for the Raiders.
"Nick Dobernig (New Berlin, Wis./New Berlin Eisenhower) will be exciting to watch as a forward," Banks said. "He is a speedy forward who can create many opportunities on goal."
Also look for freshman goalkeeper Garrett Fain (Madison, Wis./Madison East) and junior midfielder Drew Porter (Milwaukee, Wis./Dominican) to compete for playing time in their first season with the team.
The season starts against UW-Superior in Mequon, Wis. Sept. 3 with the NAC schedule beginning Sept. 21 against Concordia-Chicago at Time Warner Cable Stadium at Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee.
"We need to work as a unit on the offensive and defensive side of the game," Banks said. "Players have to be accountable for 90 minutes. The team has trained hard throughout the year improving on strength, speed and technique. I'm expecting positive results from the discipline and determination."
