Belton, TX – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor men's soccer team will open the 2010 season Friday afternoon looking to defend the first regular season American Southwest Conference Championship in the program's history. The Cru is also coming off the first NCAA Division III National Championships appearance in the program's history and will start the road back by hosting the ASC-SCAC Challenge this weekend at the Cru Sports Plex.
The UMHB men will open the tournament and the season with a 5:00 PM start against Southwestern University on Friday afternoon. The Cru will then face Trinity University in a 5:00 PM kickoff on Saturday, September 4th. The tournament will also see U.T.-Tyler taking on Southwestern in a 3:00 PM start on Saturday before U.T.-Tyler closes out the tournament with a 4:00 PM start against Trinity University on Sunday.
The Cru welcomes back 17 lettermen and eight starters from last year's team this year. Goalkeeper
Mark Miller (Sr., Wichita Falls) headlines the defense for the UMHB men. Miller was a First Team All-ASC selection last season after setting a new conference record with 11 shutouts. He held opponents to a 0.68 goals against average and recorded 82 saves on the year. D
Chris Torres (So., Houston) is the only returning starter at defender for UMHB. Torres started all 19 matches last season and will have to take on more a leadership role with the graduation of team leaders and long-time starters Daniel Green and Chris Gilham.
Austin Teague (Sr., Cypress) and
Colton Carlisle (Jr., Killeen) are both experienced players who will have a chance to step up from reserve roles and make an impact at defender this season and
Kinzey Joiner (Sr., Plano) could also see time there after spending last season at midfielder. Newcomers
Kabutey Ebeheakey (Fr., Pflugerville),
Coby Duren (Fr., Corsicana) and
Matthew French (Fr., Ennis) will also be part of the battle for playing time on the back line this season and Duren could also see time in the midfield.
GK
Adam Cecil (Jr., Rockwall) is the most experienced keeper behind Miller on the roster. Cecil had three saves in 45 scoreless minutes last season.
Brandon Stegmeyer (Fr., Temple) and
Blake Lander (Fr., Leander) will also compete for time behind Miller this season.
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Bo Baker (Sr., Burleson) was also a First Team All-ASC pick last year and returns as the Cru's top scorer. Baker had seven goals, five assists and 19 total points last year and should be the team's top triggerman again this year. MF
Trevor Shoppach (Jr., Cedar Park) was a First Team All-ASC selection and finished right behind Baker with seven goals, an assist and 15 total points. MF's
Kyle Dickey (Jr., Hobbs, NM),
Daniel Gable (Sr., Austin) and
Vincent Morales (So., Belton) all have scoring potential and will be counted on to provide scoring punch. Dickey was Honorable Mention All-ASC after scoring two goals and adding four assists last season and Gable had three goals and four assists. Morales took 35 shots and tied for second on the team in that category as he looks to generate more offense this season. MF/F
Ben Allen (Sr., Burleson) started18 matches last year and is a steady and effective player who scored three goals and added two assists last season. He could take on more of a scoring role this year to go with his leadership on the field. MF/F
Garrett Graham (Jr., Cedar Park) was slowed by injuries early last season but still started five matches and tallied a pair of assists. He should challenge to reclaim a starting spot this year. MF's
Logan Nance (Jr., Temple) and
Chase Brown (Sr., Waxahachie) will also be counted on to step up into larger roles after serving as valuable reserves. F's
Neiko Camp (So., Deer Park) and
Robert Booker (Jr., Killeen) will see more time this season after combining for a pair of goals and four total points last season. Camp could take over a starting job. A deep and talented class of newcomers will also have a chance to contribute at midfielder for the Cru this season.
Michael Hicks (Fr., Pflugerville),
Derek Geels (Fr., Wylie),
Scott Poole (Fr., Lumberton), Jakob Lopez (Fr., Leesville, LA) and
Michael Teague (Fr., Cypress) will also be in the battle for playing time and will provide depth.
Tyler Wicks (Fr., Wills Point),
Gabriel Dunham (Fr., Pflugerville) and
Taylor Bates (Fr., Fort Worth) are gifted young players who will battle for time at forward.
Head coach
Brad Bankhead is back for his fifth season as UMHB's men's soccer coach. He was voted ASC Coach of the Year last season and also took that honor in 2007. Bankhead is 40-17-6 overall in his four seasons with the Cru and he has taken the UMHB men to three ASC Championship Tournament berths and the first NCAA Division III National Championships appearance in the history of the program.
The Cru will continue home play with a 12:00 PM match against Austin College on Saturday, September 11th. UMHB will then hit the road to open ASC play at LeTourneau University in Longview on September 17th.
