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2002 Season Outlook The Cedarville University men's soccer team is primed and ready to continue the momentum that was built by last year's 16-6-2 unit that set a school record for the most victories in a season. The 2002 version of the Yellow Jackets won't possess the same experience, but they believe the talent is present to make a run at another memorable campaign. "We are thin with experience at the top, but I'm confident our three seniors will provide good leadership," stated second-year head coach Ben Belleman. "We graduated seven seniors from last year and they were all starters at one time or another. They were young men of character and that really helped us pull together as a team. We'll miss them." The trio of seniors on the roster will serve as team captains and all are four-year players. Goalkeeper Matt Reid was recognized as the squad's MVP last fall after starting all 24 matches and posting a school-record eight shutouts with a 1.23 goals against average. He was named to the All-NAIA Region IX First Team, the American Mideast Conference First Team, and the All-NCCAA Midwest Region First Team.
"No one is more determined and focused on this team than Matt Reid," said Belleman. "His play really helps to set the tone for the entire team." Two-time All-AMC Second Team midfielder Stephen Palmer and forward Andy Levesque are the other two seniors. Palmer has started 48 of the 55 matches in which he has played. Levesque moved from defender to forward last season and responded by tying for second on the team in scoring with six goals and four assists. Five juniors dot the roster led by forward Jon Waldo, who has developed into one of the most prolific scorers in CU history. He scored 21 goals with a school-record 14 assists last year for 56 points - the third-highest season point total ever scored for the Jackets and the highest output in 30 years. Waldo earned a spot on the NCCAA National All-Tournament Team and the All-AMC Second Team. Classmates Brian Vance and Todd Beall will be counted upon to make a contribution. Vance, a midfielder, started the first 19 matches a year ago before suffering a broken leg in post-season play while Beall sat out the entire season with an injury after starting 18 matches in the back as a freshman.
The bulk of Belleman's resources are sophomores and freshmen. Six second-year players received extensive experience as rookies last fall which could pay off even greater benefits this season. That list includes forwards Brady Carter and Peter Dryer; midfielders Jason Auyer and Joe Zuerner; and defenders Matt Green and Tim Thomson. No less than ten new players have joined the Yellow Jacket program. Several could step right in to make immediate contributions and those to watch for include midfielder Phillip Ellis; forwards Alex Benedict and John Sommer; and defenders Justin Benz and Tyler Schumacher. Belleman summarized his club by saying, "We are far more athletic than we were last year. We still want to be aggressive and attack the opponent. One difference is that I don't think we'll surprise people like we did last season." The Yellow Jackets will compete in the AMC South Division which includes defending champion and NAIA Final Four participant Rio Grande. Cedarville will play their first seven matches on the road before hosting eight of the final 11 on their new, lighted soccer complex. | |||||||||||||||
