University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Men's Soccer Starts Practice on Friday
08.09.2012 | Men's Soccer
The UNC Asheville men's soccer team begins practice for the 2012 season Friday morning. Below is a preview of the 2012 season.
The UNC Asheville men's soccer team played 10 one-goal matches in 2011 and only won three of them. The Bulldogs hope to reverse that trend in 2012.
Asheville was a very competitive team a year ago but finished with a 4-12-3 overall record. The Bulldogs took top-ranked UNC Chapel Hill to overtime before falling and earned road wins over Big South Conference foes Radford and Winthrop. Throw in three ties, and Matt Kern's club was so close to having a winning season.
"We were close to having a pretty good season," admitted Kern. "We had 10 one-goal matches and three ties. A goal here, a goal there, and the record is a lot better.
"What we're looking for in 2012 is simply to score a few more goals and give up a few less goals," added Kern. "We want to score around 25 goals and only give up on average a goal a match. If we can do that, then I believe we can have a pretty good season."
Asheville will have some work to do to replace the scoring it produced in 2011. The Bulldogs' top two goal scorers - Jake Hagedorn (8) and Bryan George (5) - accounted for 13 of the Blue & White's 21 goals. Both have graduated along with All-Conference goalkeeper Lassi Hurskainen. Kern's club graduated eight seniors from last year.
"We graduated a great deal of skill on the field along with leadership," declared Kern. "The cupboard isn't bare, but we're going to need our returning players and newcomers to step up and make a difference right away.
"And I'm confident we can be better this year," added Kern. "We have a nice core of leadership returning, plus we believe we have some talented newcomers coming into the program who are ready to make an impact."
GOALKEEPER
The Bulldogs will miss Hurskainen, who was a four-year starter for Asheville and completed his career as the Big South's all-time leader in saves with 408. His 11 shutouts are second best in school history. In three of his four years with the Bulldogs, Hurskainen played every minute of every match during that particular season.
But Asheville has some options in 2012. Start with sophomore Dan Jackson. He backed up Hurskainen last season and played in the Bulldogs exhibition matches. Jackson was Asheville's starter in the spring.
"Dan had a good spring for us," explained Kern. "He is a good communicator and has quick reflexes. Dan has the potential to be an excellent goalkeeper."
Colgate transfer Zak Davis is one of two newcomers who will compete for playing time in goal. Davis is a native of Baltimore who didn't play at Colgate last year but was part of a program that went to the NCAA Tournament.
"Zak is 6-1 and is quite strong," commented Kern. "He comes from a great club program in Baltimore. Zak may have not played at Colgate last year but he was a part of a team that won a championship and played in the NCAA Tournament. He'll battle for playing time this year."
Freshman Jaron Bradley enjoyed a spectacular prep and club career in Charlotte.
"Jaron is used to playing at a high level of soccer," admitted Kern. "He's good with his feet and has soft hands. Jaron will push for time along with Dan and Zak."
Kern believes the goalkeeper spot is in good shape for 2012.
"You can't replace Lassi. He was a tremendous player and leader," said Kern. "However, I think we're going to be fine here this season. The three goalkeepers we have are talented and going to do a great job. We have some real options here this season."
DEFENSE
The Bulldogs were hit hard by graduation in the back but return some talented returnees and have some newcomers who could make an impact.
Junior Bobby Castro will anchor Asheville's defense in the back in 2012. Castro will serve as the Bulldogs' captain this season and after enjoying an excellent summer playing club soccer.
"Bobby is quite versatile and can play anywhere," admitted Kern. "He'll play in the center of our defense and will be a big presence for us this year."
Joining Castro in the back will be junior Hans Lohmeyer. He has improved with each season and will be counted on more in 2012.
"Hans is a good simple player who always seems to find his way in the lineup," declared Kern. "He's someone who can play in the midfield or as a central defender."
Sophomore Quentin Reynolds earned some experience last season and will be counted on this year.
"Quentin is another player who can play multiple positions," explained Kern. "He's a great athlete who plays hard when he's in the game."
Sophomore Alex Chu didn't play last season but will get a chance to be on the pitch in 2012.
"Alex played every minute in the spring and proved to be a good communicator," said Kern. "He just needs some more game experience, and he'll be able to make a big contribution."
Sophomore A.J. Iiames played 14 matches and started 10 times as a freshman. He did a solid job in the back but his status is questionable for this year. Iiames suffered an injury and may not be back this year.
"We're just going to have to see if A.J. can play this year," admitted Kern. "He played well as a freshman last season."
The newcomers start with junior transfer Mick Giordano. The Greenville, N.C., native played at Greensboro College in 2009 before moving to Charlotte in 2010. Giordano didn't play for the 49ers before coming to Asheville last year. Due to NCAA transfer rules, he had to sit out last season.
"We're glad to have Mick," declared Kern. "He didn't play in the spring, but he trained with us and we liked what we saw from him. Mick will play as an outside back this season. He's a player who does a good job keeping the ball and then knows when to make a pass."
Asheville has two freshmen who will get serious looks from the coaching staff for playing time this year.
Erik Casterline joins the Blue & White after a stellar club and prep career in High Point.
"Erik is a great two-way player who is quite comfortable playing in the back," stated Kern. "We're looking at him as a right back and someone who can make an immediate impact."
Cole Schwietering will be Asheville's tallest player this year at 6-3. He's from Fuquay-Varina, N.C.
"Cole is another player we've signed with great high school and club experience," said Kern. "His height (6-3) is a real asset, and we're confident he'll compete for a starting spot right away as a freshman."
MIDFIELD
The Bulldogs return a nice mixture of experience and newcomers in the midfield.
Start with junior Rob May. The Asheville native transferred to the Bulldog program last year after spending a year at national power Charlotte. He started for Asheville in the midfield, and Kern expects even more this year from the former Roberson standout.
"Rob is only going to be better this season after a year under his belt," declared Kern. "We're going to look to him to score more this year and be on the attack more."
Junior Sam Rossabi has been a steady player for the Blue & White during his career.
"We were really pleased with Sam this spring as he did a great job in our matches," explained Kern. "He is one of the hardest-working players I've ever been associated with. We think Sam is ready to have a big junior year."
Stabler Cochrane didn't play last season due to injuries. He did play in the spring and made an impression on Kern.
"Stabler played well for us in the spring and scored some goals," said Kern. "We're looking for similar production from him this year."
Senior David Parra has enjoyed some solid moments for the Bulldogs during his career and should be one of Asheville's senior leaders this year. However, he's dealing with some injuries, and his health will be an ongoing concern in 2012.
"If David is healthy and ready to go, he'll be a key player for us this season," admitted Kern. "He's a versatile player who we can play anywhere on the field and be effective. But David didn't play in the spring, and we just have to see how healthy he is this season."
Patrick Phillip didn't play much last fall as he appeared in four matches. In the spring, Phillip played much more and impressed the Bulldog coaching staff.
"Patrick showed his potential last spring and performed quite well," said Kern. "He plays well in tight spaces and is strong with the ball. We just need to get Patrick some game experience, and he'll help us."
Joey Cutting is a sophomore who played in six matches in 2011.
"Joey is a good possession player," stated Kern. "He played as a central midfielder last year, and we expect him to play there this season, as well."
Three talented freshmen will jockey for playing time in 2012.
Texas native Emil Gonzalvez comes to Asheville via an old Bulldog friend. He played at Shattuck-St. Mary's in Minnesota for long-time Bulldog head coach Steve Cornish. Shattuck is one of the top prep programs in the nation.
"We're really excited about Emil coming into our program," declared Kern. "He'll be our only left-footed player and can play in the back, as well. Emil played for Steve Cornish on a very high level. He is very, very good with the ball, and he'll see some playing time this season."
Kyle Lohn comes to Asheville via Union Academy in Indian Trail, N.C.
"Kyle is physically quite strong and a hard worker," said Kern. "He has the engine to always look to move forward and get into an attack mode."
Andrew Sotak enjoyed a great prep and club career in Fuquay-Varina, N.C. as a high school teammate of classmate Cole Schwietering.
"Andrew has a lot to offer," admitted Kern. "He's had a superb youth career and is used to playing at a high level of competition. Andrew is a good server, but he's quite capable of scoring a lot of goals, as well."
FORWARD
The Bulldogs appear to have some good talent returning up front plus some dynamic newcomers who could make this area a position of strength for Asheville in 2012.
Asheville native Kenneth Lingerfelt produced a solid sophomore campaign in 2011 with two goals and two assists. The Bulldogs hope for more in 2012.
"We're looking for Kenneth to have a breakout season this year," explained Kern. "He has a knack for putting the ball into the back of the net. We just need to keep him healthy this season."
Sophomore Paul Egle can play as a central midfielder or as a striker. He played in 15 matches last season and started in all of them.
"Paul will see playing time in both places this year," said Kern. "He's our best true passer and is fantastic in the open field. We're looking for a big season from Paul."
The Bulldogs have added a local high school All-American to the mix up front in Trey Hemphill. The Roberson HS product enjoyed an amazing career for the Rams. He earned All-American status last season by scoring 30 goals as a senior.
"We're pretty excited that Trey chose UNC Asheville to continue his playing career," commented Kern. "He's a fun player to watch. Trey can score goals, and he can also set up goals as a passer. He's very crafty and creative with the ball."
Rayon Gibbs is a freshman striker from Mississippi whom Kern is excited about.
"Rayon is an excellent attacker," said Kern. "He's a player who likes to run at other players and will have good chemistry teaming up with Kenneth Lingerfelt."
