By Andrea Ressler, sports information assistant
Aug. 1, 2007
The Bluffton men's soccer team will be focusing on teamwork as they begin the 2007 campaign under fifth-year head coach Steve Smucker. The Beavers will look to seniors Micah Boehr (Bluffton/Bluffton) and Adrian Scarpella (St. Marys/St. Marys) as well as junior standout Nate Flath (Wadsworth/Wadsworth) for leadership this year. Numbers won't be an issue as the team looks to double in size thanks to a large class of freshmen and transfers.
The Beavers had a solid 2006 season in the HCAC as they went 3-5, beating rivals Franklin and Manchester in overtime. The team struggled with consistency and was unable to produce the winning season they were hoping for, finishing 4-12 overall. However, the team graduated only two seniors and returns much talent and experience to the field.
Goalkeeper Ryan Thomas and midfielder Justin Rohrer both graduated and left formidable holes for the Beavers to fill. The loss of Thomas' experience in goal and Rohrer's athletic ability and leadership will require others to step up for the team to challenge and support one another as they battle it out for positions with 15 newcomers, three of which hope to find a starting spot between the posts. Freshmen goalkeepers Robbie Pomfrey (Cincinnati/Northwest), Brian Good (Elida/Elida), and Jared Auer (Curtice/Genoa Local) all show potential according to Smucker. "We hope they compete together and encourage one another despite the fact that they are fighting for the same position." Smucker is confident that all of the potential backfield leaders are very talented and could be trusted in goal for the Beavers.
The new keeper will have a consistent crew to back him up as seniors Brandon Olterman (Camden/Preble Shawnee), Micah Boehr, junior Jason Kerns (Greenville/Greenville) and five other defenders return for the Beavers. Scarpella, Flath and junior Justin Derringer (Brookville/Brookville) will get the most help from the new class of Beavers as seven newcomers join the squad to provide depth and added talent to the team, including Hesston transfer Nolan Miller (Middlebury/Bethany Christian). "They are a pretty talented group," Smucker said of the incoming players. "We would expect many to contribute to the team right away." With plenty of fresh legs on the bench, the Beavers hope to work together to attack the goal and produce a successful conference season.
The men's soccer team added new faces Arnie Sharp and Prem Thepa to the bench as assistant coaches for Smucker. Sharp joins the Beavers following six years as head coach at Hesston College in Kansas. "He is a good recruiter and he knows the ins and outs of being a head coach which will be very helpful to me," Coach Smucker said. Thepa, former head coach at Temple Christian High School in Lima, will be working with the junior varsity squad and developing the players as they gain college experience.
Playing conference foes Transylvania and Rose Hulman on their respective fields will prove to be two of the biggest challenges facing the experience Beavers. "We play them tight every year. If we can pull out a win at either place it would be huge and may help us to get over that hump and solidify a berth in the HCAC tournament," Smucker said. As the squad focuses on teamwork, selflessness and capitalizes on the skills they have, the 2007 season looks to be one of growth, improvement, and success for the men's soccer team.
-BEAVERS-