2008 Woodie Awards
Men aiming to build on 2007 campaign
Joe Bell
Issue date: 8/17/08 Section: Sports
Experience is what the men's soccer team is counting on to get them back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005.
"We're getting a little bit older," sophomore goalie Kyle Talbot said. "We've got a little bit more experience under our belts, which is going to help this year. … I think it just really helps to know that we're getting older and we're starting to work better as a team."
Experience is one of the things the Bulldogs have in spades this year.
"We only lost two players from that team last year," head coach Duke Cochran said. "Granted, one was a most valuable player, Drew Vogt. But I think the team from last year, going into this next season, is going to benefit a lot from last season and the year before, just gaining more experience."
The defense appears to be another strength for the 'Dogs. The defense, which tied a school-record with eight consecutive shutouts last season, returns all its players except for backfielder Gavin Kempe.
The shutout streak helped the Bulldogs jump to an 8-2 start last season, but the team finished 10-7-2.
Junior Matt Taylor also returns this year after sitting out last season.
Taylor, who played forward during the 2006 season, will now be playing in the Truman backfield.
Taylor led Truman with five goals in 2006.
Another year of experience also leads to more expectations from the offense.
"The offense [was] all freshmen last year," Cochran said. "Getting older, the attack will be better. But, to be successful, you have to have a very good defense."
The Bulldogs added a bit of depth to the starting lineup during the recruiting season. Midfielders Jonathan Brown and Charlie Backus and goalie Tyler Knierim were added and are expected to each make a strong push for the starting lineup, Cochran said.
Sophomore Ben Friesen, a transfer from Eastern Illinois University, and new goalkeeper junior Danny Baker also bring skills and experience to the team.
"We're getting a little bit older," sophomore goalie Kyle Talbot said. "We've got a little bit more experience under our belts, which is going to help this year. … I think it just really helps to know that we're getting older and we're starting to work better as a team."
Experience is one of the things the Bulldogs have in spades this year.
"We only lost two players from that team last year," head coach Duke Cochran said. "Granted, one was a most valuable player, Drew Vogt. But I think the team from last year, going into this next season, is going to benefit a lot from last season and the year before, just gaining more experience."
The defense appears to be another strength for the 'Dogs. The defense, which tied a school-record with eight consecutive shutouts last season, returns all its players except for backfielder Gavin Kempe.
The shutout streak helped the Bulldogs jump to an 8-2 start last season, but the team finished 10-7-2.
Junior Matt Taylor also returns this year after sitting out last season.
Taylor, who played forward during the 2006 season, will now be playing in the Truman backfield.
Taylor led Truman with five goals in 2006.
Another year of experience also leads to more expectations from the offense.
"The offense [was] all freshmen last year," Cochran said. "Getting older, the attack will be better. But, to be successful, you have to have a very good defense."
The Bulldogs added a bit of depth to the starting lineup during the recruiting season. Midfielders Jonathan Brown and Charlie Backus and goalie Tyler Knierim were added and are expected to each make a strong push for the starting lineup, Cochran said.
Sophomore Ben Friesen, a transfer from Eastern Illinois University, and new goalkeeper junior Danny Baker also bring skills and experience to the team.
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