Athletics > Men's Soccer > Season outlook

2007 OUTLOOK

The only extra ingredients needed for the Central College men's soccer team to emerge on top of a fiercely competitive Iowa Conference are greater team speed and a bit of good fortune, according to coach Garry Laidlaw.

He can't do much about the latter but he thinks he's addressed the former as he prepares to lead a quicker and more experienced club in 2007.

The Dutch narrowly missed the 2006 league crown, posting a 6-1-1 record while Wartburg and Loras shared the title at 7-1. A demanding schedule which saw Central take on six Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference teams on the road left the Dutch with a 13-5-3 overall mark. Laidlaw, who inherited an undermanned squad that struggled to a 3-14-1 record in his first season in 1998, has piloted Central to a 76-28-9 mark over the past five seasons.

But an NCAA Division III tourney bid has eluded the Dutch thus far. Central's recent misfortune was illustrated by the team's league tourney semifinal with Loras last year. Following a 1-1 tie, Loras advanced on the eighth kick of a shootout, with an earlier Central try glancing off the post

“That's soccer,” Laidlaw shrugged. “That's the beauty of the game. But we'll be there battling again this year. We expect to be challenging for the title.”

Fueling his confidence is the return of nine starters, including five all-conference picks. Junior midfielder Cruz Herr is back after being named first-team all-conference last season. Sophomore defender Erik Lundgren, senior forward Cody Stoermer and junior forward Clint Schreiber were each second-team selections while senior midfielder Blake Scott was a second-team honoree in 2005.

And Laidlaw expects improved team speed by making some position adjustments and adding several quick newcomers to the roster. He's hopeful the team will see more offensive production as well. The Dutch scored one goal or less in 10 of their 20 games but ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III in goals allowed (0.55 per game).

Forwards

Veterans Stoermer and Schreiber are the leaders up front.

“They bring a lot of experience and a lot of productivity, but they will need help,” Laidlaw said.

Senior Tyman Wiley, who can also play in the midfield returns along with sophomore Ryan Rink, who should be more game-ready after a year as a reserve.

Stoermer ranks third on Central's career scoring chart with 30 goals. He was the squad's top point producer last year with 10 goals and six assists.

“Cody was probably a little disappointed with his season a year ago, but that's because he has set such high standards for himself,” Laidlaw said.

Meanwhile Schreiber added eight goals with a team-high nine assists last year. He was twice named the conference's player of the week after Stoermer received the honor earlier in the season.

“He's an extremely talented player,” Laidlaw said. “He's great in the air and has a knack for being the first to a ball in the box. I think the sky's the limit for him.”

Wiley has returned from a semester of study in Wales .

“Tyman will be motivated to come in and contribute,” Laidlaw said.

Rink appeared in 11 games as a rookie.

“Last year was very much a learning year for him,” Laidlaw said. “A year of experience will serve him well.”

The Dutch could also get production from some freshmen. Brett McKenzie of Lindenhurst , Ill. and Clayton Boeyink of Pella will be among those getting an opportunity. Boeyink was a first-team all-state selection in Class 1A.

“Brett played on a good club team in the Chicago area,” Laidlaw said. “His speed and finishing ability are assets. He is also very capable in the air.”

“Clayton was a very successful multi-sport athlete in high school. He's a creative player who has some speed. To have him concentrate primarily on soccer instead of three sports should really help him. We think he has huge potential. It's just a question of making the transition from high school to college.”

Another newcomer, Nick DeLucia of Urbana , Ill. , will likely start the year as a midfielder or defender, but has some offensive capabilities.

“He's a guy we see with quick feet and the ability to beat people one-on-one,” Laidlaw said.

Midfielders

Herr and Scott are the team's co-captains as well as returning starters. Herr was the team MVP and also received the Most Inspirational Player Award.

“For Cruz (Herr) to be named a captain as a junior shows that he's obviously respected for his teammates, not only for his play but for his ability to motivate,” Laidlaw said.

Scott was scoreless last year but Laidlaw doesn't think he'll be shut out as a senior.

“Blake was somewhat disappointed in his productivity last season,” he said. “He's motivated to improve. But he's the ultimate team player. He just wants to win.”

Both are valuable even without scoring.

“We have two great captains,” Laidlaw said. “Those are the type of players we want leading the team.”

Top early season candidates to join them in the lineup are sophomore Chris Heffling, junior Ben Heithoff and junior Chris Purdue.

“Chris (Heffling) was on the JV last year but has an excellent chance to come up and move into a varsity role,” Laidlaw said.

“Ben (Heithoff) played in back for us last year but we're going to take a look at moving him up. He's a great attacking player who serves a good ball and would add to our speed in midfield.

“And Chris (Purdue) has a chance to come in and solidify himself as a solid player for us in midfield.”

Freshmen could force their way into the lineup as well. Cody Jandik of Cedar Rapids , Derek Farnworth of Mooresville , Ind. will get a look, along with sophomore Nathan Dorpinghaus, up from the JV.

“Cody's a good, attacking midfielder,” Laidlaw said. “He's an excellent passer of the ball but he's able to join in the attack and score some goals as well.

“Derek (Farnworth) brings speed on the flanks which will also add to our team speed. “And we think Nate (Dorpinghaus) could push for a position. He's a great server of the ball and he has worked very hard to add to his strength.”

Defenders

Lundgren made an early splash, receiving all-conference recognition in his first season. Now he's being counted on as a leader in the back.

“Erik had a tremendous freshman year,” Laidlaw said. “He's such a hard-working player and a character player. He's got all the grit and determination you need and is already showing great leadership potential.”

Senior Jason Winslow started all 21 games and chipped in a goal and an assist.

“He played well both in the back and in midfield last year,” Laidlaw said. “Pound for pound, he may be the strongest player we have on the team.”

Junior Scott Erie was an outside back last year.

“He's a great one-on-one defender who passes the ball well out of the back and sees the field well,” Laidlaw said. “He's so versatile. He can play midfield or even up front. But when we needed him in the back for us last year, he came through for us.”

Sophomore Brian O'Malley may also push for a spot.

“He's a tall (6-foot, 1-inch), lanky left-footed player who has a great chance to help us,” Laidlaw said. “He was the MVP on the JV and he's continued to work hard to get better. He's a very difficult defender to get past. He can pass that medium to long-range ball and hit his targets with regularity.”

Sophomore Joey Rivera has four years of eligibility remaining after missing all of last season with injury.

“Joey can play sweeper or marking back,” Laidlaw said. “He was an all-state high school player in Nevada and we haven't seen him fully fit yet. We're excited to see what he can do.”

Among Laidlaw's top recruiting triumphs was landing freshman Daniel Hurd of West Des Moines , another tall defender at 6-2. He was a Class 2A first-team all-state pick.

“Dan has extensive club and ODP (Olympic Development Program) experience,” Laidlaw said. “He also played on a very successful high school program at Valley and was one of the team leaders. He has an excellent chance to come in and help us out. He's a versatile back who gives us some options for how we want to play defensively. He brings a fairly complete package.”

Another high school all-stater is Seth Metcalf of Smithville , Mo. near Kansas City .

“Seth is a very composed player,” Laidlaw said. “He's a leader who talks a lot back there. He can play any position in the back. He passes well from the back and can get forward and score, too.”

At 6-4, freshman Austin Patton of Burlington is among the team's tallest players.

“Austin is a big, strong center back who is coming off a great season with his high school team,” Laidlaw said. “He may be a little raw but has the physical tools that can help at that position.”

DeLucia could also emerge as a back, along with Urbana ( Ill. ) high school teammate Michael Beckwith. Both are products of the Little Illini Soccer Club coached by former Central standout Mike Kobylinski.

“Michael is another marking back who has tremendous speed and great closing ability,” Laidlaw said. “He is very coachable and willing to do what it takes to improve.”

Goalkeeper

Junior Greg Foote started 13 games last year in the net and ranked 15th in the NCAA Division III in goals allowed with 0.51 per game. He posted a school record nine shutouts and already holds the school career mark with 12.

“Greg will come in as our No. 1 goalkeeper,” he said. “We feel very good about the position.”

Laidlaw wants to develop a freshman backup who can learn from Foote. Candidates include Quincy Garner of Pella, Kyle Angran of Albia and Mark Visser of Atkins.

Garner is the most physically imposing at 6-4.

“He's got a big frame, he just lacks experience at this level,” Laidlaw said.

 

The season

Taking on another taxing schedule is eased slightly by having 12 home games. The Dutch need to get the lineup established and come out of the starting gate strong. Three of last year's five losses came in the first seven games.

“That's the challenge,” Laidlaw said. “We need to come together quickly and go out ready to battle from the beginning of the season. That won't be easy because we have to play Macalester ( Minn. ) and St. John 's ( Minn. ) in the first week, but we have to be ready. We don't have a choice.”

Likewise, Laidlaw doesn't see the demands of the Iowa Conference schedule easing, either. Defending league tournament champ Loras returns nearly its entire roster.

“Loras had a young team last year and will be very good,” Laidlaw said. “I think Loras and Wartburg are the favorites, and I think Luther and Simpson will make a strong push.”

Central closed last season with a six-game unbeaten streak, yet it was an unsatisfying ending, missing out on the league tourney title and an NCAA Division III tourney berth.

“That taste is still there and that's been motivating for our returning players in the off-season,” Laidlaw said. “We may just need a little bit of good fortune this year and to quickly come together as a team.”

Laidlaw is also excited about his staff. John Milligan returns for his second year as an assistant, working with the goalkeepers. The Dutch have added Colin Kuchy, a former club coach in Illinois , who will assist with the varsity and guide the JV, along with Eric Bentzinger, captain of last year's club, who will help train the defenders.