Men’s Soccer 2008

Corban College & Graduate School
2008 Men’s Soccer Outlook
Warrior men’s soccer looks to rebound as vets and new talent combine.
Last year’s Corban men’s soccer squad fell
below expectations with a sub .500 season. For
2008, head coach Dave Irby wants his troops
to zero in on the basics and the immediate
assignment at hand.
Last year we didn’t meet our goals, so this
time we’re keeping it simple,” said Irby. “Our
focus is one practice and one game at a time.”
The third-year head coach is cultivating this new
mentality among 14 returning players, including
six veteran starters from a year ago, plus the
addition of two transfers and five freshmen
players.
The Warriors lost five key seniors,
including three-time NAIA honorable mention
All-American Caleb Louvier from 2007’s crew,
but Irby sees the potential for a more versatile
and deeper line up. “Last year we relied a lot
on Caleb,” said Irby. “This time we don’t have
that one player that stands out, but there are a
number of strong players who appear ready to
contribute, so our depth will be a positive for
us.”
On the Defense
“I think we’ll be very solid defensively,”
said Irby, “and a veteran goal keeper of course
is part of that.” Irby is referring to fourth-year
keeper Aaron Franklin (SR, 5-10, 170, Red
Bluff, Calif.) who returns with just under 1,000
minutes in the net from a year ago. Franklin will
be supported at the position by rookie Anthony
Darling (FR, 5-10, 180, Lebanon, Ore.).
Experience multiplies in the backfield, as
the Warriors will draw upon the second team
all-conference expertise of Mark Mendenhall
(JR, 6-3, 185, Windsor, Calif.) and veteran
workhorse Daniel Steffen (SR, 5-11, 156,
Oregon City, Ore.). Fellow seniors Mark
Schubert (SR, 5-11, 165, Yakima, Wash.) and
John Kazmierski (SR, 5-9, 150, Salem, Ore.) are
a pair of capable veterans Corban will count on
heavily as well. Mendenhall, Steffen, Schubert
and Kazmierski combined to give the Warriors
over 4,200 minutes and 54 starts in 2007.
Returning for his second season with 12
starts as a defender is David Anderson (SO,
6-2, 160, Salem, Ore.), and Irby sees further
quality depth protecting the goal and redirecting
the action coming from Dakota Wesleyan
University transfer Kaleb Herring (JR, 6-1,
195, JR, Waco, Texas) and newcomers Nolan
Dempster (FR, 6-0, 177, Hillsboro, Ore.) and
Jonathan Anderson (FR, 5-11, 156, Salem,
Ore.). Collin Box (SO, 5-9, 145, Salem, Ore.)
played considerably as a freshmen, but an injury
leaves his playing status as a question mark for
the coming season.
Covering the Midfield
The Warrior midfield may be a realm
where versatile players will swing from both
the back and the forward areas. Four-year
playmaker Fernando Karczeski (SR, 5-8, 150,
Curitiba, Brazil) returns to the midfield with high
experience and potential offensively, logging 13
starts, more than 1,000 minutes and three goals
from a year ago.
Back is Travis Wells (SO, 5-11, 160,
Springfield, Ore.) who is expected to start at
outside midfield for Corban, while transfer
Jared Rust (JR, 6-0, 185, Palo Cedro, Calif.)
brings collegiate experience and productivity
from two seasons at Simpson University, and
should be a prominent figure in the center
midfield position for Corban. A trio of returners
Justin Lucia (SR, 5-8, 160, Anchorage, Alaska),
Parker Reed (SO, 5-8, 150, Auburn, Wash.) and
Aaron Paulson (SO, 5-10, 145, St. Helens, Ore.)
all logged time in the midfield last year.
Irby expects rookie Seth Overby (FR, 6-
1, 195, Gresham, Ore.) to see outside midfield
action, and fellow frosh Jonathan Johnson
(FR, 5-9, 146, Dallas, Ore.) will further contend
for minutes at the outside middle. Other players
who could swing into midfield roles include
Schubert, Kazmierski, Dempster, Steffen, and
Herring.
Attacking Upfront
Tyler Grove (SR, 6-1, 195, North Marion,
Ore.) prepares for his fourth year up front in the
forward position for Corban, and offers starting
experience along with second-year player
Ayouba Moussa (SO, 6-3, 175, Niger, Africa),
who has offensive talent.
The Warriors will give Rob Saffeels (JR,
6-3, 180, Salem, Ore.) and Michael Cowan
(FR, 5-11, 180, Salem, Ore.) the opportunity
with their athleticism to make an impact at the
forward position. Wells could see some time
upfront as well, noted Irby.
Corban is picked to finish second in
the North Division of the Cascade Collegiate
Conference. “The team is working hard,
chemistry seems to be very good, and the
players are enjoying one another,” said Irby.
“We have the potential to be a playoff team.”
Warriors