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2004 Season Outlook Cedarville University soccer coach Ben Belleman is always looking for improvement no matter what the past achievements have been. His Yellow Jacket squads have posted 45 victories since he took over the helm in 2001 - the best three-year stretch in CU soccer history. Yet, he still desires to see his program climb to the next level and he is counting on the 2004 club to focus on the next step. "Our goal is to get to the NAIA National Tournament,” said Belleman, who realizes Cedarville’s only trip to the event was 30 years ago. “We fully understand that defending national champion Rio Grande is in our league, that the American Mideast Conference is one of the best in the nation, and it may take an at-large bid to get to the NAIA. “However, to be nationally recognized you must be willing to play a tough schedule and have some victories against high caliber teams. I believe we’re on the verge of seeing our goal accomplished.”
The road won’t be easy for the kickers. The Jackets travel to Rio, who is pre-season ranked No. 1, while three other NAIA Top 25 teams will visit this fall. That trio includes No. 7 Bethel, 2002 national champion and No. 14 Mobile, and No. 15 Tiffin, who also resides in the AMC South Division. Experience is a strength the Yellow Jackets enjoy. They return seven seniors from last year’s NCCAA Midwest Region championship team that won 15 matches and finished third at the national tournament. Defenders Tim Thomson and Todd Beall as well as midfielder Pete Dryer, all four-year players, will serve as team captains. Thomson was tabbed Team MVP in 2003 after leading CU’s stingy defense while Beall was an NCCAA National All-Tournament selection. Dryer rated third on the team in scoring with eight goals and two assists for 18 points. All three players were All-NCCAA Midwest Region selections. Four other seniors are back including goalkeeper Casey Sullivan, who had a 0.97 goals against average in his first season as a Yellow Jacket. Joining him are midfielders Joe Zuerner and Jason Auyer as well as defender Matt Green.
A solid junior class is in place led by All-NCCAA Midwest Region midfielders Grant Knight and Tyler Schumacher, who netted six goals apiece last season. Phil Ellis and Andrew Belleman will again be key contributors, defender Justin Benz has recovered from a career-threatening knee injury suffered two years ago, goalkeeper Luke Marietta is ready to see more action, and Jason Blair is a transfer after playing two seasons at Bryan College. The underclassmen, especially the freshmen, have Belleman excited. “Our newcomers are better than what we’ve had in the past and they will contribute this year. We’ll be able to substitute without a problem and sustain our high pressure attack.” Cedarville has nine matches on the home slate and all will be staged under the lights. Rounding out the visiting opponents are longtime rival Wilmington, Trinity International, and Notre Dame (Ohio) to go along with AMC South Division foes Shawnee State, Malone (Homecoming), and Ohio Dominican. | ||||||||
