2009 Walsh University Men's Soccer Outlook
"Looking to Rebound"
The last time the Walsh University Men’s Soccer Team qualified for the playoffs was 2006. Veteran Head Coach Tim Mead (286-205-32, 27 yrs.) expects to change all of that in 2009. Last year the Cavs finished 6-11-1 overall and 4-7 (8th) in the American Mideast Conference. Despite the loss of second-team All-AMC forward, and leading scorer Alex Birtcher, Mead is looking for consistent offense play and a stingy defense to lead the Cavs back to the post season.
Walsh returns 14 letter winners, which include Ben Latimer pictured left (M, 5-11, R-So., Sunbury, OH/Big Walnut) and Ben Truax (F, 6-0, So., Mansfield, OH/St. Peters). Both received honorable mention All-AMC recognition last year. Latimer, a defensive stalwart, will start at defensive mid. Truax finished second to Birtcher in scoring last year with six goals and three assists for 15 points. He will start at one of the forward spots. Both are vocal leaders and hard nosed players. Mead expects big seasons from both.
Truax will start at one forward, with veteran Clint Merck (6-0, So., Randolph, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) starting at the other. Merck started in only four games season due to injury and was redshirted. He played in all 17 games as a freshman. His return will definitely provide a boost to the offense. Veteran Adam Brately (Sr., North Canton, OH/St. Thomas Aquinas) and freshman Matt Bly (5-10, Bellbrook, OH/HS) will vie for playing time while supplying depth.
The Cavs boast a mixture of veterans and newcomers at midfield. Senior Camden McCreary pictured left (6-5, Massillon, OH/Jackson) will start at outside right-mid. McCreary played in all 18 games and finished third in scoring with four goals and two assists. On the opposite side will be sophomore Chad Flath (5-10, Wadsworth, OH/HS). Flath received plenty of playing time as a freshman (16 games), scoring one goal to go with one assist. Freshman Broc Sutek (6-0, Minerva, OH/HS) will start at center-mid. Sutek earned conference player of the year accolades and left as Minerva’s all-time career assists leader. Transfer (Eastern New Mexico State) Steve Alicandro (5-10, So., Toronto, ONT/Dante Aligieri) and senior veteran John Dubois (5-10, Steubenville, OH/Central Catholic) will see plenty of action, while also providing key leadership. Also providing depth will be veteran George Moga (5-10, So., Akron, OH/Springfield), Mitch Derksen (5-7, Fr., Litchfield, OH/Buckeye), Evan Binkley (6-0, Fr., Alliance, OH/Marlington) and Kris Anderson (5-9, So., Doylestown, OH/Chippewa). Supplying depth on the outside left will be Jordan Semple (5-7, Fr., North Canton, OH/GlenOak), who has played extremely well in the preseason, will definitely give the Cavs a boost. Chad Dickerhoof (6-0, Fr., Alliance, OH/Marlington) will also provide added insurance.
The Cavs are deep and talented on the defensive end, as they are upfront. Nathan Milhoan (5-11, So., Hartville, OH/Lake) returns and will start at outside right-back. Milhoan played in every game last year (18) and scored three goals. On the left-side will be transfer Tim Cavanaugh (5-11, So., Wadsworth, OH/HS/Mt. Union) and Rick VanDorsten (5-9, So., Canton, OH/GlenOak). Cavanaugh played in 19 games for the Purple Raiders as a freshman. VanDorsten redshirted due to injury last year. Veteran Matt Charek (5-11, Jr., Green, OH/HS) and Josh Habeck (6-0, Fr., Uniontown, OH/Lake) will start at center-back. Charek played in 13 games last year, while Habeck earned All-Federal League and all-district accolades at Lake. Providing depth at outside-right will be Jarod Weaver (5-10, So., Tipp City, OH/Tippecanoe) and Colin Davis (6-2, Fr., Amsterdam, OH/Carrollton). The Cavs have veteran depth at center-back, with Derrick Gullen (5-10, So., Steubenville, OH/HS) and Todd Janiga (5-8, Jr., Barberton, OH/HS) pushing the starters. Gullen played in seven games and Janiga three. Freshmen Ethan Liskey (5-11, Hartville, OH/Lake) and Alex Miehls (6-0, North Olmsted, OH/Elyria Catholic) will also provide depth.
The Cavs are looking for the individual to replace graduated senior goalie Ben Pflum. Pflum, a former All-AMC selection played in all but 36 minutes last year. Freshmen Mike Kelley (6-0, Chagrin Falls, OH/Notre Dame Cathedral Latin) and Eric Cooper (6-0, Minerva, OH/HS) are even-steven as preseason camp unfolds. Adding to the contingent will be sophomore Nate Rech (6-0, Lordstown, OH/HS), junior Andrew Baloun (5-10, Amherst, OH/HS) and freshmen Will Shultz (6-0, Uniontown, OH/Lake) and Ryan Tucker (5-11, Amherst, OH/Steele). The Cavs are as deep between the pipes as they have ever been.
Despite losses in key spots, Coach Mead is confident the Cavs will be competitive. Walsh fell from the playoff race last year when they dropped their final five games of the season. The Cavs scored but five goals in the losses. The bright side is that they were in every game, with four losses by only a goal. If they can improve offensive production, while playing their usual solid defensive game, the Cavs will rebound in 2009.
