Chemistry Important For Manchester University Men's Soccer Team
Posted
Mark Adkins-
NORTH MANCHESTER – Meshing is something Manchester University head men’s soccer coach Dave Good and assistant coach Corey Brueggeman want to see this fall. One wouldn’t need to wonder why with a 19-man first-year group included on the roster that will hit the field for tryouts beginning August 18. “I really feel it comes down to team chemistry,” Brueggeman said. “The guys need to work well together to ensure we have a chance at success.” “We’ll be looking for significant contributions from many of those first-year players,” Good added. “We’re hoping to change recent outcomes and get the team back in contention for the HCAC tournament. We haven’t been satisfied as a team, so we are counting on new faces combined with our more experienced and mature group of returners to see if we can turn the tide.” When mentioning recent outcomes, Good is referring to the fact that Manchester hasn’t made it to the HCAC tournament (the top four teams) since 2010. “We always go into tryouts with the idea that everybody has to earn their spot on the team,” he said. “Corey and I are hopeful that the competition during preseason camp will lead to positive results as we reach our game schedule.” Among the familiar faces on the Spartans’ roster is a senior class that includes the trio of midfielders/forwards Austin Finley (Kokomo), Ellis Whitt (Bourbon) and Zac Hansen (Muskegon, Mich.); a trio of defender/midfielder patrollers in Connor Seavers (Auburn), Mark Zinser (Guilford) and Josh Collier (Anderson); utility player Brian Kautz (Indianapolis); and forward Loic Youth (Detroit, Mich.). “We’ll be expecting different kinds of leadership from this experienced group of seniors,” Good said. “They understand what we want to accomplish and they have been through the frustration of coming up short the last couple of years. It’s a good mix of vocal leadership and individuals who lead by example, which will be important in guiding the younger players along. I’d add last year’s captain, (junior defender) Julio Luevano (of Aguascalientes, Mexico), too, as a key to any success we have this year.” The first-year group is highlighted by names like Dustin Cunningham, who earned Indiana High School Soccer Coaches Association all-state accolades as a forward at Lakeland High School, and Tod Oram, a member of two state champion teams at Crown Point High School of Indiana. “Todd was one of the top defenders in the state and will be looked at along with others (including Michael Cheesman, Carmel) to shore up the back line,” Good said. “Dustin will hopefully add to our attack up top. Nate Johnson, an Indiana High School Soccer Coaches Association all-district selection from Portage, Ind. is a versatile utility player whom we think can play anywhere and strengthen the team. We have five new players taking a shot at the goalkeeper position including Jared Hallal (Indianapolis) and Brady Forman (Hastings, Mich). There are others with potential to make an impact, too.” “Our problems last fall came down to not finishing on offense … letting way too many good opportunities slip away, while defensively we conceded too many easy scoring chances for the opposition,” he added. “We’re hoping that these new faces combined with the extra experience among our returners changes that.” As preseason camp progresses, both Spartan coaches feel the team’s depth will be a big strength. “We’ve got a lot of options with the big freshman class adding to the number of returners,” Brueggeman said. “I think there’s a chance to have three-to-five freshmen in the starting rotation. That’s why all of the spots are up for grabs (as camp opens). We want to see the competition and who is ready to go.” “This is one of the largest groups (we’ve brought in),” Good said of the 47-man tryout list. “We had 38 when Corey played. Hopefully, it pays off with improved play and better results.” Manchester University’s season opens Sept. 1, against Andrews University of Michigan.
