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Fresh off of a 9-6-3 record and a 5-1-1 mark in the Gulf South Conference,
Christian Brothers University Buccaneer soccer coach Clint Browne looks to
improve on
last year's mark and make a run at the NCAA Tournament.
Going into the last game of the regular season a year ago, the Bucs were playing
for the No. 1 seed in the GSC Tournament. They were 5-0-1 in the conference
and a win would have given them a the No. 1 seed, just one point ahead of Lincoln
Memorial. However, a 2-1 overtime loss to eventual South Region Champion Central
Arkansas dropped the Bucs from a possible No. 1 seed to the No. 3 seed. The
loss hurt, but should prove to be a motivator for this year's squad.
The Bucs were picked fifth in the GSC Coach's pre-season poll. They return
six starters from a year ago and have five seniors among the starters. A tough
non-conference tilt beginning with the pre-season No. 1 team
in the country should prepare CBU for the tough conference schedule they always
face.
Goalkeepers
Senior Chad Rounder, sophomore Daniel Foster and
newcomer sophomore Alex Balog will all vie for time between
the posts this year for the Bucs. Rounder returns after playing in two games
last season but benefits from learning from an All-GSC keeper in Marvin
Hypolite. Rounder is the early favorite to earn the starting spot
after working hard all summer and has shown himself to be a solid keeper to
rely on. Foster and Balog both will be playing in their first games as a Buc,
but both are equally capable of stepping in and providing excellent coverage
in goal.
Backfield
Senior Harry Murphy and junior Nathan Chantara both
return to start in the backfield with Murphy moving from the midfield position
he played in last
year. Chantara is in his third season with the Bucs and has played defense
alongside of his brother, Nick, for the past two years. "He has already shown
leadership qualities and is ready to come out of his brother's shadow," Browne
said. Sophomore Matt Wearakso, and freshmen Nick Pfeifer, Ryan
Heine and Scott
Hackman are newcomers to the defense this year. Wearakso is a transfer
from Australia and will see time as a starter. Pfiefer, Heine and Hackman should
all see time off the bench.
Midfield
The Bucs look to be the strongest in the Midfield this year with seniors Chris
Marwood and Ricky Biven along with sophomores Ryan
Peel and Brian McNamara returning to their starting
roles. The four provided solid ball movement for the Bucs last season and Biven
is in his fourth year with the Bucs. Marwood was the Bucs second-leading scorer
last season scoring four times and assisting on another four. McNamara had
a goal and an assist last year. Junior transfer Brad
Whitsitt (University
of Memphis) should look to see considerable time at the mid this year. Whitsitt
started in nine of the 18 games he played in last season at Memphis, scoring
once and assisting on another. Junior Kieran Wilson and freshmen Craig de Melo
and Craig Clarkson will provide depth for the Bucs at what could be their strongest
position. Wilson is versatile and may see time as a forward, as well. "I think
we'll be able to match up with everyone else we see this year in the midfield,"
Browne
said.
Forwards
Senior Mariano Ilari was the 2004 GSC Co-Player
of the Year and led the Bucs in scoring for a second consecutive season last
year. Ilari scored eight goals and added seven assists for 23 points on the
season. He will look to lead the Bucs offensive attack for the third straight
season. Freshman Rasaq Kuteyi will look to see significant time and will be
counted on for strength at the forward. Browne says Kuteyi has a ton of ability
and he is very confident in his skill. Freshman Juan Acevedo red shirted last
season but could be a great help with a year of practice experience under his
belt. Freshmen Andy Vrbicek and James Fitzpatrick will add depth to the forwards.
Schedule
The Bucs play another touch schedule this season. They start the year hosting
the pre-season No. 1 ranked team in the country Southern Illinois-Edwardsville
on August 25. The two teams have split the last two games by identical scores
of 2-1 with SIUE taking last years match 2-1 in double-overtime. CBU also has
games against No. 8 Central Arkansas, No. 21 Lynn and No. 22 Montevallo.
“If we want to have any chance of making it to the NCAA Tournament,
we have to play a tough schedule," Browne said. "I have always believed you
get rewarded for a tough schedule. If you play good teams, you're preparing
your team for the type of teams you'll face in the post season. Our conference
is always tough, and I believe we'll have one of the toughest schedules in
all of Division II."
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