2010 Season Review
In the 2010 season, the men's soccer program (10-9-0 ,8-3-0 NAC) and finished third in the Northern Athletic Conference. The raiders hosted conference first round against Benedictine with a 2-1 win over the Eagles. Aurora then hosted the NAC Semifinals against the raiders, where the raiders lost 2-1.
Individually for the raiders received outstanding performances from Junior Midfielder Dan Hosko (Pittsburg, Penn./KeyStone Oaks) and Senior Defender Joe Westrich (Racine, Wis./ St Catherine's) both receiving first Team NAC honors and Hosko also tieing the MSOE single season assist record (9). Hosko and Senior Forward Rafeal Arndt (Bad Oldesloe, Germany/Theodor-Mommsen) led the team in goals (8 and 6 respectively). Senior Goalkeeper Jon Cerny (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien) finished with four shutouts. The raiders graduate four and have 18 returning.
2010 Season Preview
Expectations are high for the MSOE men's soccer team after earning numerous accolades during the 2009 season.
"We expect to be a NAC championship contender and put ourselves in a position to get a shot at a NCAA bid," said MSOE coach and reigning Northern Athletics Conference (NAC) Coach of the Year Jimmy Banks.
The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) ranked MSOE eighth in the Central Region in the final regular season poll during the 2009 season. The Raiders lost the NAC Championship 1-0 to Dominican University who fell in the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament. MSOE finished 2009 with a 13-6-2 overall record and was 9-1-1 in the NAC.
"The NAC has one or two teams that may be in a class of their own with talented players but we believe anyone can be beaten," Banks said. "I see us being in the top four of the conference starting out and plan to improve our odds by the end of the season with building on our strengths and improving on our weaknesses."
Senior tri-captain Joseph Westrich (Racine, Wis./St. Catherine's) was named NAC Defensive Player of the Year last year and will lead the Raiders' defense once again in 2010. Westrich is also a force on the offensive end for MSOE as he scored six goals last season.
The other two captains on the team are seniors Jimmy Burns (Appleton, Wis./Xavier) and Dan Kolokoski (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) who will lead the attack as forwards. Kolokoski logged three goals and four assists last year for ten points which placed fourth on the Raiders last season. He was selected to the Second Team All-NAC in 2009.
Junior forward Michael Vanek (Greenfield, Wis./South) led the Raiders in scoring last season with seven goals and was selected to the First Team All-NAC. Sophomore Jordan Werner (Lombard, Ill./Montini) is expected to use his speed to make an impact as a forward and midfielder. Werner scored four goals during his freshman campaign.
"He's an exciting player to watch," Banks said about Werner.
Werner along with Dominic Ridolfi (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./Tremper) were named to the NAC All-Freshman Team. Junior Dan Hosko (Pittsburgh, Penn./Keystone) will be a big part of MSOE's offensive attack as he had 27 shots for the Raiders last year.
However, defense is where it all starts and ends for the Raiders.
"We need to come out and play for 90 minutes each game," Banks said. "Defending needs to be our bread and butter and when we win the ball we need to attack with speed quickness and skill."
Along with the players returning to the Raiders, many new players are expected to contribute immediately for MSOE.
"We have a number of freshmen coming in that I feel will impact the team," Banks said. "A few have the ability to step in the lineup and strengthen our team right away."
MSOE's regular season begins in Michigan against Calvin College September 3 and the NAC schedule starts September 11 against Rockford College at Uihlein Soccer Park.
