2012 William Penn Men’s Soccer Preview

William Penn University Athletics

2011 record: 5-11-2 (3-4-1 MCC, 6th)
Starters returning/lost: 6/5
Letterwinners returning/lost: 13/8

Notable returners:
Sam Gurski Jr. Beaumont, Texas
(2.10 Goals Against Average, 93 saves, 2 shutouts)
Mark Dryden Jr. Arbroath, Scotland
(3 goals, 3 assists)
Joshua Jacobs So. Luton, England
(1 assist)
Paul Kerr Jr. Letham, Scotland
(1 assist)

Notable losses:
Frankie Sullivan
(Honorable-mention all-MCC)
Steve Olson
(Four-year starter)
Tyler Mather
(Two-year starter)
Jordan Hoffman
(Two-year starter)

Notable newcomers:
Ben Creeger Fr. Phoenix, Ariz.
Bruno Hamdan Fr. Sao Paolo, Brazil

With a new driver behind the wheel, the William Penn men’s soccer team enters a unchartered territory this fall.

Greg Jarosik begins his first year heading the Statesmen program, moving east from Doane College in Nebraska. In five years leading the Tigers, his teams finished with a 43-44-4 mark. He inherits a navy and gold squad that struggled to 5-11-2 in 2011, but he feels the team, after a strong spring, is ready to make waves in 2012.

“One of the first things we wanted to do was change the system of play,” Jarosik said. “We wanted to become a possession-minded, attacking-oriented team and we tried to get players who would work into that system.”

Nearly half of the squad is new, with a plethora of skill and talent, leading Jarosik to believe several starting positions may be claimed by new faces.

“We are trying to build a culture of hard work that will lead us back up the league standings,” Jarosik said. “Our returners had a really productive spring and took well to our new system. They really impressed me and if our recruits come in as strong as I think they will, we should be in a good position to challenge right away in the conference.”

Honorable-mention all-Midwest Collegiate Conference goalkeeper Sam Gurski (Jr., Beaumont, Texas, West Brook HS) is back between the pipes, while Mark Dryden (Jr., Arbroath, Scotland, Arbroath HS) and Paul Kerr (Jr., Letham, Scotland, Lindenwood) also return to bolster the team with their experience.

“These three guys are going to be leaders on and off the field for us,” Jarosik said. “They are ready for that opportunity.”

Jarosik feels he has filled some holes, especially in the backfield. Highlighting this year’s recruiting class are defenders Ben Creeger (Fr., Phoenix, Ariz., Shadow Mountain HS) and Bruno Hamdan (Fr., Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, Bango A.C.).

“Ben will be asked to step in right away and shore up our defense,” Jarosik said. “Bruno has a good attacking mindset as a defender, but can settle in to stop an attack.”

Forward

Joshua Jacobs (So., Luton, England, Potteridge HS) transitioned from the defense to a forward position midway through the 2011 campaign and is now ready to make a huge impact this fall.

The sophomore is the Statesmen’s top returning threat, scoring five goals with three assists last year.

“Josh’s size will help us be more productive up top,” Jarosik said. “He has a great presence and is great with his back to the goal.”

2011 redshirt Angelo Kelly (Fr., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) and newcomers Waseem Vahed (Fr., Lenasia, South Africa, AlAqsa School) and Cameron Russell (Fr., Golden, Colo., Grandview HS) will battle for the other starting slots.

“Angelo and Waseem are both crafty players and are very good in one-one-one situations,” Jarosik said. “They should provide another spark in our attack. Cameron is a big body and has a good sense up top. He is an accomplished finisher.”

Luis Islas (Jr., Boise, Idaho, Treasure Valley CC) tops a large faction that will compete for time up top as well. The remainder of that group includes returners Brendan Johnson (Jr., Clinton, Clinton HS), Austin Ryan (So., Parkersburg, Aplington-Parkersburg HS), and Tim McHawes (Sr., Oskaloosa, Oskaloosa HS) and newcomers Andrew Wamsley (Fr., Fort Madison, Fort Madison HS) and Jeff Peterson (Fr., Underwood, Underwood HS).

Johnson scored twice last season.

Midfielder

Jarosik is pleased with what he saw of Kerr and Dryden in the spring and has requested that they anchor the transition from defense to offense.

Dryden accounted for three goals and three assists in 2011, while Kerr managed one assist.

“Paul and Mark both have a good sense with the ball and will make good decisions,” Jarosik said.

Brazilian newcomers Leonard Teixeira (Jr., Sao Paolo, Brazil, Indian Hills CC) and Matheus Riberio (Fr., Vitoria, Brazil., Centro Educacional Charles Darwin) will add a creative style of play that should assist them in leading the charge for the other two starting positions.

Senior Brandon Nicholson (Cedar Falls, Cedar Falls HS) is one of the most experienced players on the pitch for the Statesmen, giving him an edge to receive extended minutes in the midfield and backfield in 2012. He produced one goal with one assist last season.

David Martinez (So., Dallas, Texas, Hillcrest HS) will add depth in his sophomore season after tallying one goal in 2011.

Defender

The impacts Creeger and Hamdan will make depend heavily on the team’s success in front of them.

“Our defense is going to be one of our stronger units, but our most interesting battles will also be there as so many will fight for time,” Jarosik said.

Returners Ed Radley (So., Woodham, England, Sandon HS) and Jeff Kelly (Sr., Ottumwa, Indian Hills CC) are slated to be at the top of the heap, but experienced Jason Batek (So., Chillicothe, Ill., Illinois Valley Central HS) will not back down from the fight. Newbie Victor Cruz (Jr., Elsa, Texas, Iowa Lakes CC) is also in the running.

Kelly was a forward last season, recording one goal with a team-high four assists, while Batek also scored once.

“Everyone in this group is physical and will be great assets to our program,” Jarosik said.

Trevor Neary (So., Des Moines, Roosevelt HS) and Rodney Burns-Dalton (So., St. Louis, Mo., Ritenour HS) are back on the turf, while Peter Grossenkemper (Jr., Fort Madison, Indian Hills CC) bring junior college experience to the program. Denny Guido (Fr., Ottumwa, Ottumwa HS) is projected to add depth as well.

Goalkeeper

A great two-man battle should ensue this fall between Gurski and 2011 backup Mason Bandy (So., Calgary, Alberta, St. Francis HS).

Gurski was 4-9-2 last year with a 2.10 Goals Against Average. He finished with 93 saves and two shutouts, while Bandy was 1-2 with a 2.94 GAA (18 saves).

“Sam unfortunately was hurt during the spring, so I did not get to him in action,” Jarosik said. “Coming off an all-conference year, I fully expect him to bring a lot of desired qualities to our goalkeeper position.”

“Mason, however, was healthy and had a great spring,” Jarosik said. “I know he can play, so I am excited to see how this works itself out.”

Schedule

The 2012 slate will begin with the Statesmen hosting Concordia (Neb.) on August 24. Northwestern, another solid program from the Great Plains Athletic Conference, also comes to town as William Penn plays 11 of its 18 contests at the friendly confines of Lacey Complex Stadium.

“Concordia will be a good test to see where we are at the beginning, while Northwestern should also be a nice challenge as we enter conference action,” Jarosik said. “With a new program, playing at home so much should only benefit us. We are excited for that aspect.”

Conference

The team’s MCC schedule has bookends against the best teams in the league with Mount Mercy starting the season and Grand View ending the year. Those two programs tied for the conference title and represented the league very well at nationals.

“I think Grand View and Mount Mercy will again be well on top this year with the rest of us in a cluster behind them,” Jarosik said. “Depending on how well we prepare and how healthy we can stay, we could honestly fall anywhere between third to last; it is going to be that tight.”

“I am excited for this new opportunity here to redefine William Penn soccer,” Jarosik concluded. “It should be a fun, exciting year with a good crew of new talented players and solid returners to work with.”