Aug. 30, 2007
NORFOLK, VA-- The Old Dominion University men's soccer squad opens the 2007 season Friday againstthird ranked Wake Forest in the first round of the Carolina Nike Classic. Game time is 5 p.m. inChapel Hill, NC. ODU ranks 21st by the NSCAA/adidas coaches poll, while Wake Forest isthird and UNC is 16th. ODU will play North Carolina Sunday at 7 p.m.
Last year, Wake Forest was 18-3-4 (5-2-1 in the ACC), while North Carolinawas 11-6-3 (3-4-1).
THE SERIESODU is 2-7 against Wake Forest. The Monarchs defeated the Demon Deaconsin 2003, 2-0 at ODU, but lost in the 2005 NCAA tournament, 2-1.
The Monarchs are 4-5-1 against the Tar Heels, beating UNC last year, 1-0in the NCAA second round.
ODU SEASON OUTLOOK
2007 MEN'S SOCCER OUTLOOK
Under the direction of four-time CAA Coach of the Year Alan Dawson, the Monarchsprogram continues to climb its way to national prominence and set milestones. Last yearwas no different as ODU earned its fifth straight NCAA tournament bid and reached the roundof 16 for the first time.
The Monarchs lost five lettermen from last year's 14-6-2 squad, Including All-Americanforward Edson Elcock, now with the Kansas City Wizards and All-CAA/ All-Region midfielderJared Kent.
ODU returns 12 lettermen led by Hermann Award candidate and 2006 CAA Defender of the Year David Horst,Along with 2006 CAA All-Rookie team goalkeeper Evan Newton along with senior midfielders Trevor Banks and A.J. Kulp. Horst was also the Premier Development League's Defender of the Year, and Newton Goal KeeperOf the Year.
MIDFIELDERSODU returns all three starters in Trevor Banks (4gls, 2 ast.), A.J. Kulp (4 ast.) and Nane Joseph."These guys are solid and we have new blood that will give us some different options, especiallyin the wide midfield spots," said Dawson. Also returning are Bobby Foglesong and Jason Loizou whoboth saw quality time last season.
DEFENDERS"Our two seniors David Horst and Yomby William along with goalkeeper Evan Newton shouldbe a defensive force for us," adds Dawson. "All three played together in the PDL this summer.We have a solid nucleus of returnees, we just need to fill in some spots." Horst is on the Hermannaward watchlist as one of the nation's top players.
GOALKEEPERS"Evan Newton had a promising freshman season and is a very important part of our success," said Dawson. We have also added former Monarch and 2005 All-CAA goalkeeper John Connelly as a volunteer coachWho will add a wealth of knowledge to the position."
Newton posted a 0.97 goals against average along with eight shutouts. He ranked among the CAA's top five in shutouts, and goals against average. The Monarchs also added freshman keeper Brennan Kirkpatrick from Shreveport, LA.
FORWARDS"This is the area with the most competition and biggest question marks," said Dawson. "With the graduationof Edson Elcock, Zach Kinney and Ross Mackenzie, we lost 24 goals. There could be six or seven guysbattling for spots and we don't have any pre-conceived notion of who the starters will be until pre-season iscompleted. We have a lot of fresh blood and hope the returnees will raise their level."
THE SCHEDULE
Once again the Monarchs will play another solid national schedule with six opponents who competed inlast year's NCAA College Cup. ODU starts with tournaments at North Carolina against nationally rankedWake Forest and the Tar Heels, then Penn State's tournament which includes Ohio State, the Big Ten runners-up.
ODU comes home to host the 32nd annual Stihl Soccer Classic with a field that will have Dartmouth and Temple.ODU will then travel to nationally ranked Maryland before returning home to play Richmond. Then the CAAwars begin.
"This is probably the most difficult and challenging schedule we have ever faced," said Dawson. "We open with WakeForest, then play North Carolina, who we knocked out of the tournament last year, and then go to PennState's tournament. We have the nucleus to get it done, but it is very important we get off to a good start.
The CAA as is very strong, as both ODU and Towson reached the round of 16 last year, plus Hofstra andGeorge Mason were in the tournament as well. "There are no real clear cut leaders which makes for a very challengingLeague race," said Dawson." In the college game, it is important to gain confidence, and play with confidence."
In the CAA, ODU hosts Hofstra, VCU, James Madison, Northeastern and Georgia State while traveling toGeorge Mason, Towson, UNC-Wilmington, Delaware, Drexel and William and Mary. The CAA Championshipsare Nov. 13 with the quarterfinals at home sites and the league semi-finals and finals on Nov. 16 and 18at the Virginia Beach Sportsplex. ODU again ranked in the top 20 nationally in total attendance(11,739).