Men’s soccer preview: Gonzaga expects solid season
Gonzaga University men’s soccer coach Einar Thorarinsson liked the makeup of his veteran team heading into the 2009 season, and the Bulldogs (1-1-2) have done nothing in their first four matches to alter his opinion.
Faced with a difficult early-season schedule, the Zags have relied heavily on defense to dig out at pair of 1-1 ties against Ohio State and Oregon State, while dropping a 1-0 decision to Penn State.
“We came into the year feeling pretty good as far as our senior leadership and experience are concerned,” said Thorarinsson, whose Bulldogs were picked in preseason poll of league coaches to finish in a tie for third in the West Coast Conference. “We just still have some kinks to work out.”
Heading the list of returnees from last year’s 9-8-2 team that finished 6-5-1 in league play is senior Nick Barclay, who was named the WCC’s Defender of the Year last fall. He is joined by senior Tim Muravez and sophomore Mitch Boland, who helped limit opponents to one goal or less in 10 matches in 2008.
“I would say our defense ranks among the best we’ve had here, overall, and I think that shows in the scores of the matches we’ve played so far,” Thorarinsson said. “There are always pieces missing, but we have a good core group returning and I’m really high on them.”
The Bulldogs, who will open play in the four-team Gonzaga/Nike Classic against Georgia Southern at 4 p.m. Friday, also have plenty of experience up front, where senior forward Tye Perdido and senior midfielder Ben Funkhouser return. Perdido scored a team-high eight goals and 19 points last fall, while Funkhouser added three goals, a team-high six assists and 12 points.
Senior Scott Barnum and sophomore Andrew Hickman have shared time in goal in the early going, but Thorarinsson said Barnum has emerged as the starter.
Whitworth
The Pirates (1-0-1) are ranked No. 16 in NSCAA Coaches Division III Top 25 poll and will attempt to build on their early success Friday when they take on Saint Martin’s at 4 p.m. in the first day of the four-team Whitworth Soccer Classic
Coach Sean Bushey’s Bucs have won four of the last five Northwest Conference titles, including the last two, and are heavy favorites to make it three straight this fall. Among Bushey’s top returning players from last year’s 14-2-4 team that finished 10-2-2 in league play are senior defender Bryan Olson, a three- year starter, sophomore goalkeeper Brian Sherpe and senior forward Elly Bulega, who scored eight goals as a junior.
The biggest concern will be replacing 2008 NWC Offensive Player of the Year Caleb Barnhill, who led the Pirates to their fifth appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament.
CC Spokane
The Sasquatch (1-3 overall, 1-0 NWAACC) will attempt to snap a two-game skid when they entertain Chemeketa CC in an 11 a.m. match today at SFCC. Coach Kenny Krestian has 12 freshman on his roster and will need some young players to mature in hurry if CCS is to improve on last year’s 15-8-2 record and contend in the NWAACC.
The Sasquatch, after opening league play with a 5-1 win over Highline, have been shut out in their last two matches, losing to Laramie (Wyo.) 5-0 and North Idaho College 2-0. Sam Palmer, Morgan Hartanov, Ricky Carmolinga, Admir Rasic and Rob Wulff each scored a goal in the rout of Highline.
North Idaho College
The Cardinals return several top players from last year’s Region 18 and Scenic West Athletic Conference championship team, giving coach Scott Moorcroft plenty of reason for optimism. Sophomore midfielder Orlando Figueroa and sophomore Thomas Brempong have each scored a pair of goals for the Cardinals this fall.
•Evan Palo scored, off an assist from McKenzie Olivares, during the Cardinals’ 4-1 non-conference loss to visiting Chemeketa (4-0-2) on Wednesday. Gus Bermudez scored twice for the Storm of Salem, Ore., who dropped the Cardinals’ record to 3-2.