August 29, 2002

MOUNT VERNON, IOWA . . . The 2002 Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference men’s soccer season begins on August 30, with four games on the schedule. By the conclusion of the season’s opening weekend (August 30-September 1), nine of the 10 IIAC schools will have begun its season, the lone exception being Luther, which begins on September 4.

On Friday, Coe, Cornell, Loras and Wartburg all begin its season on the road at Fontbonne, Grinnell, Clarke and Augsburg, respectively. On Saturday, August 31, Buena Vista travels to Mount Mercy, Central hosts Dordt, Dubuque travels to Concordia (Ill.), Upper Iowa plays at Marshalltown Community College and Wartburg hosts Culver-Stockton. The lone Conference team in action on Sunday is Simpson at Augsburg.

In a preseason poll conducted of the Iowa Conference men’s soccer coaches, Luther edged Loras by one point for the top spot. Both teams received three first place votes, Luther received three second place votes and Loras received two second place votes and a third place vote The complete Coaches Poll, in which six coaches participated, is below.

Up-to-date composite Conference schedule, results and statistics are available on the men’s soccer home page of the Conference web site at www.iowaconference.com. For the most up-to-date team rosters, visit the men’s soccer home page of each schools’ athletic web site.

A complete team-by-team preview follows.

Buena Vista University Beavers
(7-8-2, 2-6-1 9th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/6

About the Team: Buena Vista has a young team as 11 of the 19 players on its roster are freshmen and sophomores. Senior defenseman Bo Leonard, who finished fourth on the team in scoring last season with four goals and nine assists, is the Beavers top returning scorer. Junior midfielder Nick Fox notched two goals and five points last season, tied for sixth on the team. Juniors Josh Weitzel and Brett Newberg each scored one goal in 2001 and are the only other returning players to find the scoresheet last season.

Sophomores Andrew Derner, Dean Bachman and Chris Bayer all gained a lot of experience as freshmen. Derner appeared in all 17 games with 14 starts, Bachman played in 14 games with eight starts and Bayer played in 16 games with 14 starts.

Seniors Max Kenkel and Mike Hohenstein, saw limited action last season, but will bring veteran leadership to the Beavers line-up.

There are 10 newcomers on Buena Vista’s roster ready to make an impact. Those players include junior Seth Okoampa and Jared Hoflock, sophomore Raymond Ackerman and Kyle Miller, and freshmen Benjamin Dilocker, Frank Echtenkamp, Scott Janish, Daniel Padilla, Kevin Shaunore and Bryon Smith.

About the Coach: Matt Klosterman enters his first season as head coach at Buena Vista. The 1999 graduate of Loras College served as an assistant at his Alma Mater and head coach at Dubuque Senior High School the past two seasons.

Coach Klosterman on his team: “I expect the squad to improve over last year’s disappointing finishes in the Conference and to return to the Conference tournament.”

Coach Klosterman on the Conference: “I expect the competition level of the Conference to continue rising. I believe that the winners of our Conference are nationally competitive in Division III. I believe the Conference will be one of the powerhouse conferences in the nation within the next few years.”

Central College Dutch
(5-10-2, 3-5-1 7th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/1

About the Team: Sophomore forwards Chris Leyh and Kyle Halfpop were Central’s leading scorers last season. Leyh notched five goals and 11 points in 17 matches, Halfpop recorded three goals and eight points in 17 matches. If the Dutch’s strong freshman class is ready to play, Halfpop could play midfield. The freshman forwards include Eric McDonald, Conrad Vernon, Shane Wilson and Nick Mohwinkle.

Junior Adam Little, who was tied with Halfpop for second in team scoring (1-6-8), and sophomores Adam Jackson and Clint Meek return to their starting midfield positions. Sophomore Nathan Weir saw action in all 17 contests last season and will see more time this year. Transfer Jim Babcock and freshmen Eric Kleineck, Aaron Buzbee, Ryan Fisher and Nick Reed should also compete for playing time at midfield.

On defense, All-Conference performers Matt Den Hartog and Mike Kobylinski return as does senior Jonathan Stout and sophomore Brandon Thomsen. Vernon, Tim Dobberfuhl and Adam Konieczki will see time on defense.

Senior Aaron Austin, the 2001 Team MVP, returns as the starting netminder. He allowed just 1.37 goals per game and made 81 saves in 13 games. Sophomores Andy Quigg and P.J. Markowski, and freshmen Patrick Coyne and Jeff Gray will provide depth between the pipes.

About the Coach: Garry Laidlaw begins his fifth season as head coach at Central. In his four seasons, the Dutch have posted a 17-50-4 record.

Coach Laidlaw on his team: “We have a lot of talent. We have the most depth we’ve ever had and we’ll use it when necessary. In the past, our backs got tired but we had to leave them in. This year we won’t hesitate to use subs.

“This is probably our most experienced returning group, but there are some juniors and seniors who have played a lot who may have a harder time keeping their place this year. But that’s the kind of competition we need to move to the next level.”

Coach Laidlaw on the Conference: “Luther has to be the team to beat but they’ll get strong competition from Loras and Simpson. I also think Wartburg is considerably stronger. No more is there an easy game in the Iowa Conference. Last year there were one-goal games all across the board.”

Coe College Kohawks
(8-9-1, 5-4-0 5th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 8/4
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 9/4

About the Team: Three seniors and three juniors highlight the returning core of players to the Coe line-up. Senior goaltender Eli Houpis posted a 3.24 GAA with four shutouts in 17 contests last season.

Junior midfielder Kyle Fargen scored six goals and 14 points last season and is the Kohawks’ top returning scorer. Senior forwards Rick Bright and Brian Burdt finished third and fourth respectively in team scoring with seven and four points.

Junior Aaron Houpis started 15 games on defense last season and recorded two assists.

About the Coach: Brad Stiles enters his second season as head coach at Coe. During his first season at his Alma Mater, Stiles led the Kohawks to an 8-9-1 overall record.

Cornell College Rams
(7-11-2, 4-4-1 4th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 6/5
Letterwinners Returning: 10

About the Team: Cornell graduated its top-two scorers from last season but return a pair of goaltenders that split time last season and three of its top defensemen. Sophomore Drew Spain played in 13 games in goal last season, posting a 3-7-2 record with a 2.71 GAA. Senior Andy Muth appeared in 10 games, with seven starts and finished with a 4-4-0 record, a 1.84 GAA and three shutouts.

Defensively, senior Matt Loptien and junior Dave Simpson both started 19 games last season while senior Blake Richards appeared in 19 games, starting nine. Richards scored two goals and added an assist. Junior Martin Krulatz appeared in eight contests last season. Senior Mike Boulanger is also expected to see action on defense this season.

Seniors Joe Haymaker and Spencer Thielmann and sophomore Blake Rasmussen will be looked to for the offense. Haymaker finished tied for second last season with five goals and 14 points in 19 games, all starts. Thielmann also scored five goals and was third in scoring with 11 points, starting all 20 games. Rasmussen played in 20 games as a freshman, starting 19 and scoring six points (2-2).

Among the freshmen expected to contribute this season are midfielders Aaron Reykdal, Alex Strait and Marshall Tuetken.

About the Coach: Curt Lewis enters his first season as head coach at Cornell. Prior to joining the Rams, he served three seasons as head women’s coach at Mount Mercy College and one season as head men’s coach at Mount Mercy. He posted a 42-18-3 career women’s record and a 3-12-1 career men’s record.

Coach Lewis on his team: “I think right now we’re at the middle of the pack and we need to distance ourselves from the teams below us. We have to steal a game from Loras, Luther or Simpson this season to get some respect.”

Coach Lewis on the Conference: “This is a great soccer Conference. Luther and Simpson are still the teams to beat. Loras and Central have a lot of depth that we don’t have.”

University of Dubuque Spartans
(3-10-2, 2-5-2 8th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 12/12

About the Team: Dubuque finished its inaugural soccer season with 3-10-2 record and can be expected to improve on that mark this season. With eight starters and half of the 24 letterwinners returning, the Spartans have an experienced core of players to go along with a strong group of newcomers and remain young. The entire roster 26-man roster is comprised of freshmen (14) and sophomores (12).

Among those returning to Dubuque’s line-up are the team’s top-three scorers and its starting goaltender. Forward Toby Herrera scored 10 goals and 21 points last season, leading the Spartans in both categories. Defenseman Jon Janulis led the team with five assists and was second in team scoring with seven points. Forward Justin Sauser scored two goals (second on the team) and four points (third on team).

Ryan Fritz returns as the team’s top netminder. Last season, in 14 games, he posted a 3-9-1 record with a 2.21 GAA and two shutouts.

Other experienced returning players include midfielders Matt Dolson (14 games, two assists) and Matt Zuckerman (15 games), and defensemen Billy Porter (14 games, one assist), Matt Thompson (12 games), Adam Backous (11 games) and Jason Ballina (11 games).

Among the freshmen expected to come in and make an immediate impact are forwards Eddy Fazaldin, Rashard Fleming, and Stephen Mockus, midfielders Joey Kelly, Max Lind, Andy Mueller and Erik Mueller, and defenseman Richard Janulis

About the Coach: Jason Berna enters his second year as head coach at Dubuque. In his first season, he led the Spartans to a 3-10-2 overall record.

Coach Berna on his team: “We are looking to climbing the ladder this year to finish in the top six. Making the tournament this year as a second year program would be great success. Our team will be predominantly freshmen and sophomores which provides much youth for the years to come. We look to surprise a lot of teams this year with a better starting line-up and much needed depth on the bench.”

Coach Berna on the Conference: “I feel each year this Conference is getting harder and harder. Luther being ranked this year in the top-ten is good for our Conference to get exposure.”

Loras College Duhawks
(13-8-1, 6-2-1 2nd in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 20/8

About the Team: Eight starters return from the 2001 Loras squad that finished second in the Iowa Conference last season. The biggest loss for the Duhawks to overcome will be that of goaltender Zach Alumbaugh, a four-year starter. Sophomore Nick Murray and freshmen Steve Tartaglione and Beau Evans will have the unenviable task of replacing Alumbaugh. Murray saw action in five games last season, compiling a 1.89 GAA.

Three-time All-Conference midfielder/forward Brad Johnson leads the group of three All-Conference performers returning to the Duhawks starting line-up. He scored 14 goals and added three assists last season. He ranks second on the Loras career goals scored list (30) and fourth in career points (66). Forward Troy Neideen, scored eight goals and 21 points, and defensemen RaShad Dacus both earned All-Conference recognition last season.

Junior Ben McDougal, who registered five goals and three assists while splitting time between forward and midfield returns to Loras’ starting line-up as do midfielders Sean Moran and Jeff Stevenson, and defensemen Dan Reitinger and Dan Johnson.

Junior defensemen Shad Johnson and Matt McElligott and junior forwards Jed Beyer and Jon Arundel contributed off the bench last season. Beyer and McElligott were limited to 12 and 10 games respectively last season due to injury. Johnson came off the bench in 16 games and Arundel had two goals and three assists in 22 contests.

Six freshmen are expected to make key contributions this season including midfielders Tony Stehn, Andy Zimmer, Nick Sullivan and Matt Ochoa; defenseman Ryan Brackin and forward Nick Roe.

About the Coach: Dan Rothert enters his fifth season as head coach at Loras. In his previous four seasons, he has led the Duhawks to a 46-39-1 overall record and two second place Conference finishes.

Coach Rothert on his team: “After finishing second in the IIAC last year, we know what it takes to win. With only graduating two starters from 2001, we are excited about our chances. Goalkeeping will need to be solidified after the loss of Zach Alumbaugh but we have a very talented bunch, led by Brad Johnson, RaShad Dacus, Troy Neideen and Sean Moran…all of whom were All-IIAC in 2001.”

Luther College Norse
(19-5-1, 8-0-1 1st in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 8/3
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 22/5

About the Team: After starting last season 2-3, Luther finished with a 17-2-1 record, won the Conference title and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. A majority of that team is back, including eight starters and 22 letterwinners. The Norse will have to replace Conference MVP David Pendergast, who led the team in scoring, All-Conference defenseman Jeremy Vann and the team’s third leading scorer Tyson Ester.

Seven players return that scored double-digit points a season ago led by senior forward Wade Murray who had a team-high 10 goals and ranked second in team scoring with 26 points. Junior midfielder Bryan Korth led the team with 11 assists and finished fourth in team scoring with 21 points in 25 games (all starts). Senior midfielder Matt Landers scored 20 points (5-10) in 24 games and junior forward Travis Dyson scored 18 points (6-6) in 25 games including four starts.

Sophomore forward Jeremiah Reinkoester (6-3-15), junior midfielder Tim Stork (4-6-14) and sophomore forward Jordan Hartman (2-6-10) also registered double-digit point totals. Reinkoester came off the bench in 22 of his 23 appearances, Stork started all 24 games in which he appeared and Hartman started 12 of his 21 appearances.

Junior midfielder Tim Elgin, who appeared in 22 games with 12 starts and recorded seven points last season, will be joined by sophomores Russell Schoeweiler, Nick Leslein and Josh Wrolstad to provide experience and depth at the midfield position.

Defensively, senior Matt Fitzgerald and junior Ed Mauch return along with All-Conference goaltender Rick Isaacson (0.82 GAA, 10 shutouts) to what was the IIAC’s top ranked defense. Senior Max Beers and junior Mike Pendergast add depth to the defensive corps and junior Adam Sayer (four games played, 0.78 GAA in 2001) will provide an experienced back-up to Isaacson.

Juniors Luke Johnson, Ryan Overholt, Jeff Miller and sophomore James Rowe will compete for increased playing time this season. Freshmen that are expected to see playing time this season include Mike Birder, Andrew Best, Scott Pearson, Dustin Halma, Eric Henderson, Derek Lundquist, Nate Preus and Adam Stoebner.

About the Coach: Doug Mello enters his 13th season as head coach at Luther. Under his leadership, the Norse have posted a 180-68-7 record and won five of the six Iowa Conference Championships. Mello is a four-time Iowa Conference Coach of the Year (1996, 1998, 1999, 2001).

Coach Mello on his team: “Our program is at a point where we feel every year we are contenders for not only the Iowa Conference championship, but also the national title. The returning players who gained valuable experience in our tournament run last year will be aided by one of our best recruiting classes ever in the history of our program. We feel the Norse soccer program is in the midst of exciting times, and we hope we can continue to produce the victories our fans have come to expect.”

Simpson College Storm
(11-8-2, 6-2-1 3rd in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 9/2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 18/11

About the Team: Simpson has a strong balance among its returning players with five forwards/midfielders three defensemen and its goaltender all returning to the starting line-up. Those nine individuals, along with five forwards/midfielders, two defensemen and a netminder that saw considerable action coming off that bench last season, make the Storm one of the most experienced teams in the IIAC.

Junior forward Kenny Chapman (10-4-24), junior midfielder Henry Peterson (9-3-21) and senior midfielder Randy Reichardt (8-4-20) were Simpson’s top-three scorers last season, all registering at least eight goals and 20 points. Sophomores Scott Roth (4-0-8) and Ryan Berry (3-0-6), and junior Brandon Volz (2-2-6) provided offense when they came off the bench. Junior Brady Spangenberg started 19 games and contributed six points (2-2).

Senior Mike Proctor was limited to 14 games due to injury last season but is expected to join Volz and senior Ben Parrott as starting midfielders. Senior Juan Navas, who missed the last two seasons due to a knee injury returns and will add depth to the midfield position along with freshmen Ryan Edgington, Ryan Jauregui, Daniel Knigge and David Wagner.

On defense, seniors Brian Mann and Joe Wilson and juniors Garrett Biller, Kellen Laird and Michael Prunty will anchor a veteran defense. Mann, Biller and Prunty started last season but Laird (12 games) and Wilson (21 games) saw plenty of action.

Junior Matt Edgington, the school’s career wins leader (44) and a 2001 All-Conference selection, returns as a third year starter. Last season, in 21 contests he recorded three shutouts and posted a 1.08 GAA. Junior Jason Wichman, who has surrendered just one goal in 14 career games, and sophomore T.J. Irvin will serve as back-ups.

About the Coach: Aziz Haffar enters his eighth season as head coach at Simpson. He enters the 2002 season nine victories shy of 100 having posted a 91-45-15 overall record. Haffar was named IIAC Coach of the Year in 2000 after leading Simpson to the Conference title.

Coach Haffar on his team: “I believe we can contend for the IIAC Championship but we have to focus on being a good team first and wanting to improve as a team throughout the season before dwelling on other things. We have to go into every game with a purpose and not worry about a game a week later. By getting the best out of each and everyone, everything will fall into place and we will be able to obtain our goals.

Upper Iowa University Peacocks
(2-14-0, 1-8-0 10th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 7/4
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/5

About the Team: Upper Iowa’s 11 returning letterwinners include seven seniors and four juniors whose experience and leadership should help the Peacocks improve on last season’s 2-14-0 record.

Returning to the Upper Iowa line-up are players that scored 11 of the teams 13 goals and accounted for 32 of the teams 36 points last season. Junior Phongsay Luangsaysana led the team with four goals and 11 points last season while classmate Derek Seaman was second in team scoring with six points and tied for second with two goals. Seniors Casey Sitzer, Matt Bartels, Lonnie Capitano, Jason Mainberger, and Dave Majkrzak all return to the starting line-up. Sitzer is a forward that finished third in team scoring last season while the other five are defensemen.

Senior Ian Ricci and junior Dave Madsen saw limited action in nine and eight games, respectively last season and will be looked upon this season for additional contributions. Senior Eric Petersen provided defensive help off the bench in 14 games last season.

Two newcomers, sophomore Juan Perez and freshman Jeff Vogel will compete for playing time in goal. Other freshmen expected to break the Upper Iowa line-up this season include forwards Pat Neufille and Matt Raes, and midfielders Alfredo Estrada, Tom Lucas, Clint Neriem, Adam Rasmussen, Christian Scott and Hollis Weber.

About the Coach: Troy Otradovec enters his first season as head coach at Upper Iowa. He served as a Peacock assistant coach last season.

Coach Otradovec on his team: “We are hoping to mix our incoming freshman with our returning players to field a competitive team this season.”

Coach Otradovec on the Conference: “I feel the Conference has three teams that will compete for the number one seed in our playoffs with the remaining seven teams competing for the three other playoff spots. With the success that Luther had last season, the IIAC should be gaining national respect.”

Wartburg College Knights
(9-10-0, 4-5-0 6th in IIAC)

Starters Returning/Lost: 10/1
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 18/3

About the Team: Wartburg returns its top two offensive threats in senior Shane Turner and sophomore Verne Houston. Houston led the team with 17 goals and 36 points followed by Turner with six goals and 14 points. The Knights other strength will be in net where sophomores Collin Lane and Ian MacNaughton effectively split time last season. Lane posted a 5-5 record with a 2.22 GAA and two shutouts in 16 games including nine starts. MacNaughton was 4-3 with a 2.24 GAA and one shutout in 13 games including six starts.

Sophomores Seth Rowland and Matt Penning return as starting defensemen. Penning started 17 matches last season and Rowland started 16. Junior Travis Kohl saw action in 17 games, with nine starts, and recorded three points (1-1).

Senior Luke Buhrow and junior Josh Judisch tied for third in team scoring with two goals and four points apiece. Sophomore midfielders Derek Swanson, who started 11 games and Jeremy McEver who started 18 contests, also return to the Knights starting line-up.

Among the top newcomers looking to make an impact for Wartburg are senior defenseman Alain Djoumessi, an All-American wrestler, sophomore forward Kwandwo Danso and freshmen Zach Prieve (defense), Kirk Artist (forward) and Scott Hill (forward).

About the Coach: Jim Conlon enters his third season as head coach at Wartburg. The Knights improved from one victory in Conlon’s first season to nine last season.

Coach Conlon on his team: “We’re pretty well set in goal. However, on offense and defense, we still have room for one more person to step in. It’ll be interesting to see who among the newcomers wants those rolls.”

Coach Conlon on the Conference: “There’s still a top-three in the Conference with Luther, Loras and Simpson, but the rest of the schools continue to catch up. It’s comparable to our non-conference schedule, in that you’re regularly playing championship-caliber teams.”