Men's Soccer Preview, Part 3: UW-Green Bay
Aug. 16, 2006
Expectations are high for the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay men's soccer team in 2006, as the team returns eight starters and five of its top six scorers from last fall.
Coach Tom Poitras has increased the team's win total in each of his first two seasons with the Phoenix, and he along with his squad aim to reach the 10-win plateau for the first time in six seasons.
Aiding a group of 14 returnees in this quest is a solid core of 11 newcomers that should have an immediate impact on the team's success.
ATTACK
Senior and all-Great Lake Region forward Joshua Okoampa is back for his final campaign for the Phoenix. A lightning-fast attacker with a nose for the goal, Okoampa led the Horizon League last year in goals and aims to do it again for the second straight year.
Two capable returnees to compliment Okoampa at the top of the formation are senior Michael Lepera and sophomore Tosaint Ricketts. The Canadian duo has proven they can make a difference in the attack and will take some pressure off Okoampa. Also vying for time in the forward positions are freshmen Francois Basty and Ilya Ksenidi.
MIDFIELD
Depth is the word that describes UW-Green Bay's midfield, as Poitras has 13 players that have the potential to contribute at the position, but just one returning starter in sophomore Ray Hibbler, who was the team's fifth-leading scorer last fall.
Returning letterwinners Lati Ziba and Mike McCormack are expected to step into a starting role in midfield, as Ziba moved into a reserve role last fall after starting in the center of the park in 2004. McCormack switches to the midfield after a freshman campaign as a forward. Senior Colin O'Brien and sophomore Jacob Rouse are also back for 2005 and will press for minutes among the returnees.
Potential is abound in seven newcomers, with many having the capabilities to press for a starting spot. Dan O'Brien was a two-year letterwinner at Coastal Carolina and should vie for time in the center of midfield, as should freshman David Znaty. In-state products Dan Baker and Ryan Shandley along with regional standouts Rene Mendez, Brent Diggs and Chris Date wrap up the depth for the Phoenix in the midfield.
DEFENSE
Three starters from last year's roster as well as a starting midfielder from 2005 will likely make up the back line this fall. Senior Drew Anderson will start for the third straight year in the defense, while sophomores Steven Hennessy and Tyler Rosenberg are back for their second seasons and will likely gain the starting nod. After a sophomore season as a starting wing midfielder, junior Glenn Herzog returns to the defensive side.
First-year defenseman Lioz Yerushalmi will press immediately for minutes among the back four, as the freshman has a wealth of experience from his time in Israel.
GOALKEEPERS
A trio of goalkeepers will bid for the starting nod in 2006, with sophomore Adam Stikl taking the early lead after a solid spring campaign. Junior Joshua Loyd had the most games and minutes than any Phoenix goalkeeper last year and will be in the hunt for the opening day start. Wrapping up the goalkeeping corps is freshman Dave Eckwright who has four years of eligibility after one year of school at Minnesota-Duluth.
THE SCHEDULE
A challenging slate awaits the Phoenix in 2006, as Poitras' squad will have just seven home contests this fall. The team will have three road games to start the season before hosting instate rival Marquette Sept. 5 at Santaga Stadium.
The Phoenix kicks off the Horizon League slate Sept. 9 with at Cleveland State and will also travel to Detroit, UW-Milwaukee and UIC this fall. League foes Butler, Wright State and Loyola come to Santaga Stadium for three straight dates in mid-October.
UW-Green Bay will again host the four-team Nike Soccer Classic Sept. 16-17 to coincide with the program's homecoming weekend. The Phoenix will face Sacred Heart and Eastern Illinois while Georgia State will also participate in the event.
The 2006 Horizon League Men's Soccer Championship once again features a two-weekend format, as quarterfinal rounds will be held at host schools Saturday, Oct. 28. The tournament will then conclude Nov. 2 and 4 at the highest remaining seed.
Story provided by UW-Green Bay Office of Sports Information
