August 25, 2008

2008 Season Preview:Malone Men’s Soccer Adds Both Depth & Talent In 2008 With A Large Group Of Newcomers

In each of the previous two years, the Malone College men’s soccer team has fallen just short of qualifying for postseason play.  In 2006, the Pioneers tallied a 7-8-2 record, ending the year only one victory shy of earning a spot in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) regional playoffs.  Then, last year, Malone compiled a 6-10-2 overall mark and placed fourth in the American Mideast Conference North Division standings, just two points behind the division’s third and final postseason qualifier, Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College.  The Pioneers’ proximity to the 2007 conference tournament becomes even closer when considering the fact that, of the squad’s 10 losses a year ago, seven came by the slimmest one-goal margin.
 
Following these two consecutive hard-fought seasons that concluded without a playoff appearance, Malone is eager to get its 2008 campaign underway. And with 14 talented new players joining a strong nucleus of returnees, third-year head coach Marquis Walker and the Pioneers are ready to bring their postseason drought to a halt with a winning campaign this fall.  “The 14 new guys will give us plenty of depth,” commented Walker.  “Eleven or 12 of them could come in and probably start right away if needed, so, when you add them to our returning players, it almost gives us two capable starting lineups to work with.”
 
Two returnees who possess plenty of talent to work with are midfielders Zach Rausch (Sr., Cuyahoga Falls H.S.) and Ross Cochran (Jr., Paisley, Scotland).  Rausch garnered both All-AMC North Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention accolades last year after tallying four goals and three assists.  Cochran, meanwhile, started 16 of Malone’s 18 games last year and posted one assist.  “Zach and Ross are both very fast and very skilled,” said Walker.  “This will be Zach’s final semester and we are expecting big things from him as he is expecting from himself and the team.  Both players are very dangerous on the flank and are almost mirror images of each other.”
 
Another dangerous player who is also coming back this fall is junior forward Marcos Batchelor (London, England).  A 2007 All-AMC North Second Team selection, Batchelor posted team-highs last year with five goals, three assists, and 13 total points.  “Marcos is a good player when he plays simple,” commented Walker.  “He’s fast up top and we will be looking for him to provide depth at the forward position.”
 
Joining Rausch and Cochran in the midfield will be fellow returnee Barry McConnochie (Sr., Glasgow, Scotland).  Last year, primarily in a reserve role, McConnochie played in 11 games, posting one assist.  Although he may not always leave a big mark on the stat sheet, Walker knows McConnochie’s contribution to the team is a very important one.  “Barry is a very hardworking, versatile player,” said Walker.  “He probably won’t get a lot of the glory this season, but he will fill a role for us and do a lot of the dirty work.”
 
Helping to fill defensive roles for the Pioneers this season will be returnees Vic Sibera (Sr., Howland H.S.) and Dan Wallace (So., Norton H.S.).  Sibera has shown continued improvement throughout his Malone career and has consistently set an example in the classroom, earning numerous academic honors.  “Vic is probably one player who over his four years has gotten better each year,” stated Walker.  “He has probably played more than even he expected because of it.  He will add depth to the defense and will lead the team again academically.”
 
Wallace saw significant time as a freshman last year and will be looked upon to contribute again this season.  “Dan will compete for a starting defensive position,” commented Walker.  “He reads the game well and is deceptively fast.”
 
In addition to these skilled returning players, Malone’s 2008 roster will also boast a large and exciting group of newcomers.  “We’ve brought in a very, very solid recruiting class,” said Walker.  “There are no real superstars, but they are a very talented, hardworking and team-oriented group.  If this class stays together, you’ll see big things in the future.”
 
Leading the group of new players is freshman Paul Traxler, a 5’8” defender, who last year helped his Mason High School squad capture an Ohio Division I District Title.  “Paul is a very versatile player who will compete for a spot at left back,” stated Walker.  “He was his high school’s leading scorer, so he can also play up top if needed.”
 
Looking to make an immediate impact at the midfield position are freshmen James Watson (Norton H.S.) and James Larimer (Maysville H.S.).  “Watson is a gifted one-on-one player and has the stamina to run all day,” noted Walker.  “He is a good finisher who knows when to shoot and what technique to shoot with.  Larimer is a natural, determined player that scores goals and gets the job done.”
 
Three newcomers who will be aiming to get the job done at forward this year include John David Eades (Central Christian H.S.), son of former Pioneer men’s soccer standout and Malone Athletics Hall of Fame member Phil Eades, Nick Fernandez (St. Thomas Aquinas H.S.), and Levi Frederitz (Bluffton H.S.).  “John David is fast, knows how to score and has a knack for finishing,” stated Walker.  “Nick is a very tall player and a good striker of the ball.  Levi has a good knowledge of the game.  He’s not big size-wise, but makes up for it with hustle.”
 
One significant void that will need to be filled this fall is at goalkeeper after the graduation of Mike Porter, a 2007 All-AMC North Honorable Mention and NCCAA All-East Region Honorable Mention selection.  One of the contenders to fill his vacated position will be freshman Derek Jeffrey (Norton H.S.).  “Derek has good size, is very athletic, and is very good at the punt and drop kick,” commented Walker.  “He needs to learn decision-making at the college level and gain confidence in order to be a presence on the field.”
 
Finding a starter to guard the net this year is one of Walker’s biggest concerns as Jeffrey, returnee Warden Neuenschwander (Linden, VA) and freshman Phil Bookhamer (Edinboro, PA) have very limited or no experience.  “All three keepers have one or two games experience amongst the three of them,” noted Walker.
 
With so many new faces on the roster, another key in 2008 will be getting the newcomers some playing time in the early going.  “It will be important for the new guys to get experience so that we can put them in when the game is on the line,” said Walker.
 
Overall, though, the third-year head coach feels confident that the new players will adjust quickly and that the squad will develop strong chemistry.  “We have a good team focus,” stated Walker.  “There are no egos.  We want to win and that is what it is going to take.”
 
As always, the Pioneers will be challenged by a very demanding schedule.  After competing in a two-division format last season, the AMC has moved to a single-division, 12-team alignment for 2008.  Although the conference may be realigning, Walker knows the changes will not affect the quality of competition.  “It’s a tough conference no matter the number of divisions,” said Walker.  “The AMC is nationally known for soccer.  Rio Grande, Ohio Dominican, Houghton, Roberts Wesleyan, Notre Dame, and Walsh are good every year.  If you can succeed in the AMC, you will succeed nationally.”
 
Malone opens its season on the road Saturday, August 30th with a 4:00 p.m. match against Marietta College.  The squad then returns to host its home opener against Tiffin University on Wednesday, September 3rd at 5:00 p.m.
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