2009 Season Preview
Head coach Jimmy Banks and the MSOE men's soccer team look to repeat last year's 11-5-2, overall record and 7-3-1 Northern Athletic Conference third place finish. The Raiders will have big shoes to fill as they graduate four from last year's program including ALL NAC first teamer John Varebrook and second team selection Jordan Engedal. Also gone from the team are starters midfielder Tony Mente and goalkeeper Andy Blau.
The Raider's leadership starts with tri-captains Alex Mejac (Greenfield, Wis./Whitnall), Joe Westrich Racine, Wis. (St. Catherine's), and Brandon Crozier (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead). Mejac, a 6'2" senior goalkeeper, played in eight games carrying a1.01 goals against average. Crozier, a 5'11" senior midfielder, started in 18 games, scoring two goals and had three assists for MSOE. Westrich, a 6'5" junior defenseman, played and started in 18 games, in 2008 and had two goals and two assists for the Raiders. The three captains bring a strong sense of leadership to a youthful squad.
MSOE will also count on seniors Brian Meissner (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead), Aaron Crass (Neenah, Wis./Neenah), and Tim Moser (Madison, Wis./Lafollette) to provide consistent and steady play for the Raiders
Other Raider standouts include midfielder Danny Kolokoski (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead), Pat Kelly (Slinger, Wis./Slinger) and Josh Payne (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard South). The three standouts were Northern Athletic Conference honorees in 2008. A 6'0" junior forward, Kolokoski was third in goals (5) and total points (12) for the Raiders and was an ALL NAC honorable mention selection.
Kelly and Payne were both named to the NAC All Freshman team in 2008. Kelly, a 6'0" forward had two goals in 14 games played. The 5'10" forward/midfielder, Payne tied for the lead on the team in goals and points with 6 and 13, respectively.
Also look for sophomore Jimmy Burns (Appleton, Wis./Xavier) and Krystan Malusic (Milwaukee, Wis./Hamilton) to play key roles for the Raiders.
The season starts on the road for three games including two in Texas against Howard Payne (Sept. 4) and Concordia-Austin (Sept. 6). The Raiders also travel to Colorado Springs, Colo. To face Colorado College and University of Dallas on September 25 and 27, respectively.
The Raiders are setting their sights on the Northern Athletics Conference title, but must go through conference powerhouses Dominican and Aurora. With a strong offensive front and key returning defenders, the Raiders look to be competitive and ranks among the top contenders for the conference title.
