2007 guide - Ohio Wesleyan University

2007 Bishop Outlook2The Ohio Wesleyan University men’ssoccer team rode a suffocating defenseto the NCAA Division III semifinals lastyear before finishing with a 15-1-6 record.Along the way, the Bishops posted theirsecond consecutive unbeaten regularseason and won their eighth North CoastAthletic Conference championship in thelast 9 years.Head coach Jay Martin welcomes5 returning starters and 12 returninglettermen who will try to win their fourthstraight conference championship andmake another run deep into the NCAADivision III playoffs.“We’re very talented, but very young,”Martin said. “We could start 4 freshmento open the season — but they’re verygood players.”Defense was the Bishops’ strengthin 2006, with the team setting school andNCAC records by allowing only 7 goalsduring the entire season. Three startersreturn from that stellar unit.Back in goal is senior Jamison Dague.Dague led the NCAC in saves percentagelast year on the way to second-team allconferencelaurels. He also was an ESPNThe Magazine Academic All-America ®selection.“Jamison is one of the bestgoalkeepers in Division III,” Martin said.“We’re counting on him for leadership ondefense. Our season will go only as wellas Jamison and the defense go.”Senior Xander Jones, anotherreturning letterwinner in goal, could startfor many teams, while junior Ben Boyntonand sophomore Richard Ott will battle forplaying time.Jamison Dague makes a save.In the backfield, senior Ben Brewerand junior T.J. Trigg are returning All-NCAC selections. Brewer was a secondteampick in 2006 after receiving firstteamhonors in 2005, and Trigg wonhonorable mention status in 2006.Sophomores Matt Giannetti andKevin McGowan, both of whom sawsignificant action last year, could winstarting positions this season. SeniorPatrick Moore is another returningletterman, and sophomore Jon Hood alsoreturns.Newcomers who could contributeinclude freshmen Brian Greene, EricLaipple and Taylor Prescott. Greene andLaipple were an all-state selections inhigh school.The midfield is traditionally an OhioWesleyan strength, and 2007 will be nodifferent.Leading the returnees in the midfieldis senior Nick Skoczen, who was anhonorable mention All-NCAC choice lastyear. Skoczen will see action in insideand outside midfield spots this season.Sophomore Jordan Halloran, theteam’s top returning scorer with 5 goalsand an assist last year, is back at theattacking midfield position.Freshman Ryan Harmanis, an alldistrictselection in high school, “will playsomeplace,” according to Martin. Alsofighting for time at the various midfieldspots are sophomores Blake Pifer and PhilSerfaty and freshmen Chad Baker andKody Law. Law was an all-state pick inhigh school.Sophomore Will Murawski, whosaw action at several different positionslast season, takes over at the defensivemidfield spot this year, and sophomoreJake Meiser also returns.“We’re very deep with different typesof midfielders,” Martin said, “but it’s amatter of who’s willing to play together.”Scoring from the front line was thequestion mark for Ohio Wesleyan lastyear, with the Bishops scoring 38 goalsas a team. “We’re going to rectify that,”Martin said. “We’re going to play moreattacking formations, and I think ourattackers are better than last year, withbetter athleticism and better speed.”Junior Todd Ufferman andsophomore Eric Francis are returninglettermen up front and will joinsophomore Sam Striler and freshmenTyler Bryant and Tyler Wall. Bryant andWall were all-state picks in high school,while Striler, a transfer from Trinity, was a2-time all-state selection as a prep.The Bishops’ wild card is freshmanMarcus Bastianelli, who should see actionin the midfield or up front.Ohio Wesleyan faces another ruggedschedule. The season opens with theFred Myers Invitational, which featuresGuilford, Hope and Kean; and the adidas ®Invitational, with games against Almaand Medaille. Important regional testswith Wilmington, DePauw, Otterbeinand John Carroll follow immediatelythereafter. In the NCAC, 2006 tournamentwinner Denison, 2006 tournamentrunner-up Allegheny, up-and-comingOberlin and traditional rivals Woosterand Wittenberg will be at the forefront ofanother thrilling title chase.2007 OWU Men’s Soccer