2004-08-23 Outlook
8/23/2004 10:17:22 AM | Men's Soccer
2004 MEN'S SOCCER SEASON OUTLOOK
RIVERSIDE, Calif. (Monday, Aug. 23, 2004) -- Exciting forwards. An exceptional back line of defense. An experienced goalkeeper. Three of the four pieces are in place as the 2004 California Baptist University men’s soccer team seeks to build upon one of the most successful seasons in program history.
But, in the midfield, where CBU must find replacements for three key seniors – two of whom were starters and another who saw a great deal of time there – is where the team’s fortunes will turn. The senior trio of Agustine Rodriguez, Jerry Rios and David Adams were the top three point-scorers on the team. In fact, they produced 64% of CBU’s goals and points last year.
"My only worry about the midfield is that they are new," said third-year CBU Coach Shayon Jalayer, who led the 2003 Lancers to a 10-6-1 overall record (only the third time a CBU team has won at least 10 games) and a third-place finish in the GSAC at 6-3-1.
"We’ve got guys who are quite capable. We’ll need to go about things a little bit differently. They’ll be a lot more workmanlike. The new midfielders might not score as many goals, but setting up the forwards and earning assists will become the forte of this group."
Finding motivation to end a 13-year playoff drought will not be difficult. CBU was originally awarded a spot in the 2003 NAIA Region II Tournament, but were later ousted before the tournament even began because an error had been made in the selection process. A single non-conference loss to Menlo early in the year turned out to be the Lancers’ downfall.
"Our agenda this year is to take better care of the preseason," Jalayer said. "Last year we took a gradual approach where we worked guys in, got people fit and kept them healthy for the GSAC. We don’t want to leave it to chance this year. We’ve got a group of guys that want to be in the driver’s seat."
When non-conference play ends, Jalayer believes his team will be ready for the rigors of the GSAC season.
"Realistically, I think we’re a top four team again," he said. "Where in the top four, I’m not prepared to say. It’s a tough conference. The goal, of course, is to do enough to get into the regional playoffs. We want to win our home games and get results on the road."
An experienced defense will help toward making that happen. Three of the four starting defenders return in seniors Kevin Atkinson (Upland, CA/Upland HS/Chaffey CC) and Dan Linder (Upland, CA/Bonita HS/Mt. San Antonio CC) and junior Brian Cavazos (Crestline, CA/Rim of the World HS/CS San Bernardino). Senior goalkeeper Justin Nitti (Corona, CA/Corona HS) posted a 1.36 goals-against average last year, second best in school history.
Junior transfer Houtan Malayeri (Riverside, CA/Trabuco Hills HS/Irvine Valley CC) is a leading candidate to take over the fourth defender slot. Other newcomers with a chance to make an impact on the back line include freshmen Steve Searer (Temecula, CA/Linfield HS) and Juan Romero (Riverside, CA/Jurupa Valley HS).
Nitti will be backed by sophomore returnee Milton Mancia (Hesperia, CA/Bonita HS), sophomore transfer Joshua Blanco (Corona, CA/Centennial HS/Riverside CC) and freshman Daniel Graff (Mira Loma, CA/Jurupa Valley HS).
"The most impressive thing right now is our defense," Jalayer said. "Defending well is the number one priority. We can’t give up any soft goals."
The forwards are led by junior Fraser Kershaw (State College, PA/State College Area HS/Penn State Univ.), who made a huge impact despite missing the entire non-conference schedule last year. During GSAC play, he came up with five goals (best among CBU’s returners) and one assist. Senior Maurice Garcia (Chino, CA/Don Lugo HS) is coming off a knee injury that ruined last year, and senior Keishawn Cordier (Moreno Valley, CA/Canyon Springs HS/Riverside CC) appears ready to make a leap forward in his second season.
Another forward is two-sport star Seidu Ajanako (Accra, Ghana/Nungua Secondary School/Park Univ.), who led the CBU men’s volleyball team to the 2004 NAIA Invitational title and joins the soccer team for the first time. His athletic skills will make him a prime target in the attack.
"Up front is a very exciting situation," Jalayer said. "We can change the dynamic of the game depending on who we put up there. We can put in guys who can run, guys who can post up or guys who can win the ball in the air."
Though three key players were lost, CBU returns some experience in the midfield with juniors Kevin LeDuc (Riverside, CA/Poly HS/Point Loma Nazarene) and Tim Walker (Alhambra, CA/Alhambra HS) and sophomores Daniel Bishop (Riverside, CA/Poly HS) and Amechi Nwaohia (Upland, CA/Upland HS/Mt. San Antonio CC). LeDuc had a productive 2003 season, scoring four goals to go with two assists. LeDuc and Nwaohia each started nine times last year.
Junior Paul Marquez (Covina, CA/South Hills HS/Citrus CC), who redshirted last season, may earn a starting spot in the middle. Sophomore transfer Kevin Watson (Riverside, CA/Arlington HS/CS San Bernardino) and freshman Brian Lamb (Riverside, CA/Poly HS) are also options.
"We need our midfielders to take care of the ball," Jalayer said. "Possession is critical. We might not have the same kind of individual creativity that we had last year, but this group is going to have a big engine, and they’ll be able to do the job."
