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Men's Soccer 2007 Season Outlook

          There’s an old adage in soccer: “build from the back.” The saying reflects the nature of the game: that defense can dominate and make a team successful. With that in mind, look for the 2007 Highlanders men’s soccer team to have a strong year, because the team’s strength is defense.

Anchored by NAIA Second Team All American goalkeeper Erik Lefebvre, a junior, the defense also returns 2006 First Team All AMC North Division selection Tyler Haggerty, a senior. The 2006 Freshman of the Year in the AMC North can be found on the Highlanders’ back line as well: Justin Farnsworth. Little wonder, then, that Head Coach Matt Webb says the team’s strength will be defense, especially since he expects two first year players—Zach Wise (Cuyahoga Falls, OH/Cuyahoga Christian Academy) and Chris Davis (Cedar Park, TX/Earl of March, Ottowa)—to contribute as well.

            Moving from that solid back line, Webb calls the midfield “deep,” noting that many were first-year players in 2006 and will return with the experience and knowledge that he hopes will make a difference. Among those returning sophomores are Bryan Gerlach and two Second Team All AMC North honorees: Dan Brubaker and Jonathan Brooks. Seniors Kendal Stoltzfus, Ernie Walton and Josiah Snelgrove (a 2006 First Team All AMC North Division selection) will provide experience and leadership to the midfield corps. Junior midfielder Rhett Kenny should get a boost from being reunited with two teammates from Wesleyan Christian Academy (High Point, NC/), forwards Luke Sanford and Austin Beck.

            Acknowledging that the team’s weakness last year was scoring goals, Webb says that “we hope that will improve.” He’s counting on Beck—a transfer who scored 13 goals and had 11 assists in two seasons at Montreat College—to fuel that improvement. Watch for sophomores Jesse Woolsey (3 goals and 1 assist in 2006), Steve Ross (1G, 2A) and Steve Grudda (2A) to emerge as well, benefiting from the added attention that Beck will draw. Woolsey’s former high school teammate, first year player Aaron Martin (Fillmore, NY/Fillmore Central School) could have an impact as well.

            Last year, the Highlanders scored 25 goals and gave up 25, which was good enough for them to advance to the regional semi-finals last year. Webb thinks the division has improved and his team will have to score more and allow less if it wants to get back there. Fortunately, he says, the work ethic of the team in the off season and the culture of teamwork is “the best it’s ever been” in his tenure as head coach (2007 will be his fourth year).

            In fact, the players have hopes of winning the division and making a run at a national tournament appearance. “That has been the talk,” Webb acknowledges, and admits that “the desire and ability are there.” He notes that the team has deliberately scheduled tough non-conference games the last several years and that the Highlanders have held their own against some talented opponents. “We’ve had fun and been competitive,” Webb says, “Now we have to beat them.” If the team can do that, watch out for them in the post-season.