Men's Soccer Preview, Part 8: UW-Milwaukee

Aug. 24, 2006

There will be a new face on the sidelines for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee men's soccer team in 2006. But, after graduating just two seniors, the faces on the field will be very familiar. This fall may mark the first season under new head coach Jon Coleman, but UWM returns a squad that has made five-straight trips to the NCAA Tournament and features nine players who started 10 or more games last season.

Expectations are high ... after the precedent that the program has set, it has become the norm. Since the 2001 season, the Panthers have experienced tremendous success. Their overall record in that span is 81-22-10, a .761 winning percentage. Even more impressive is their record in Horizon League games: a 30-3-2 clip that represents a winning percentage of .886. UWM has won regular season titles and League tournament crowns in four of those five seasons.

"We feel this team will be up to the challenge," Coleman said. "From a team standpoint, we need to be ready and prepared for the task at hand. We have experienced players who can handle the situation. Those players have been here and know what it is all about."

The 2006 spring schedule was one of the busiest-ever and gave Coleman and his staff a chance to start the transition from former head coach Louis Bennett, who was at UWM for 10 seasons.

"We were able to learn how deep we are," Coleman said in reference to the spring season. "It was a great opportunity for our new coaches to get a good look at `who's-who' and `what's-what' and get everybody up to speed. The spring was an opportunity to look at a lot of guys and do a lot of assessment."

Coleman is no stranger to the rich traditions of Milwaukee soccer, having served as an assistant coach for the past nine seasons after a stellar career as a player, extending his ties to the program to over 13 years. He filled out his coaching staff over the winter with additions of Bob Spielmann and Chris Dadaian.

"The spring season gave us [the coaching staff] a chance to establish ourselves," Coleman said. "It also gave the players an opportunity to learn how the new staff was going to operate. I think the adjustment period moved quickly because of it, so it won't be an issue in the fall. These guys [Spielmann and Dadaian] are chomping at the bit and doing a fantastic job."

UWM is coming off a 2005 campaign where they went 14-4-5, falling to eventual national runner-up New Mexico on penalty kicks in the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Panthers return All-Horizon choices Steve Bode, Billy Meier and Craig Mallace, as well as Horizon League Tournament MVP Grant Fernstrum, who led the nation in goals against average last season. The returners include nine starters from a season ago, headed by a group of five seniors.

"I think we go into the 2006 season with a lot of experience," Coleman said. "But, I think it's important that we play with that experience. I think everyone will need to be prepared to play."

UWM graduated just two seniors last season: Neil Dombrowski and Kyle Zenoni.

"Even though we only lost two players, we still need to be as deep as possible - 29 players strong with everyone making a difference. It will be an opportunity for some of the key players to play big-time, and I know we have the players to get it done."

Dombrowski and Zenoni leave big holes to fill, as both were four-year starters. Dombrowski was also the team's leading scorer in 2005 with 23 points on a team-high nine goals.

"Right now, we are looking at a couple of different players, a couple different combinations," Coleman said. "I know there are a lot of players on our team that are capable of scoring a lot of points. Neil did a phenomenal job carrying that weight last season, but we will look to other players to do that. There is no way to replace a Neil Dombrowski ... other guys will have to find a way to step up. Every player has the opportunity to get points."

FORWARDS

The Panthers will have plenty of options on offense to fill the scoring void left by Dombrowski. They return six of their top seven scorers, including Mallace (4G/10A=18), Steve Sperl (6/4=16), Bode (5/1=11) and Dale Weiler (3/4=10 in 13 games), all of whom netted 10 or more points.

"The return of Dale Weiler (who missed half of last season due to injuries) will be of major significance," Coleman said. "You are talking about a guy who had 16 assists [in 2004]. He is a playmaker and will be very dangerous when on the field. We will also rotate Steve Sperl and Andre Francois at center forward and incorporate [freshman] Josh Curry into the mix to give us something different."

Weiler missed five weeks of the season to injury, but was impressive in his return against Marquette Oct. 31. He scored the game-winning goal and added an assist in his first game back and went on to score eight points (2G/4A) in the final six games of the season. He proved his worth when on the field all season, with each of his three goals going for game-winners.

Sperl continues to find the back of the net, finishing second on the team with six goals and third with 16 points. He finished the season on a high note, scoring goals in both games of the NCAA Tournament.

"Dale will be looking to pick up where he left off as a sophomore," Coleman said. "With the injury, last season was tough for him. He is a top-notch player that will get outside and go right at people. He has a lot of skills to help us on top and combines well with Sperl. We think Steve still has that `break-out' season in him and there is no better time than this year. His is fitter than ever and determined to make a massive impact this season."

Francois also made an impact in his first season, scoring three goals and adding an assist in 22 games. He was a key reserve off the bench for the offense and will play an even larger role as a junior.

MIDFIELDERS

UWM has plenty of veteran experience back in the midfield, as Mallace (17 starts in 22 games), Zeke Dombrowski (22 starts in 23 games), Tenzin Rampa (20 of 23), Troy Spielmann (9 of 22) and Ken Ogorzalek (8 of 19) are set to return.

Mallace emerged as a playmaker for the Panthers, leading the league in assists with 10. He recorded points in the first five games of the season and took off from there. Mallace rose to the occasion when needed, as three of his four goals on the season went for winners as well.

"The midfield will be strong with the dominance of Zeke Dombrowski, who will be keeping things together there," Coleman said. "We can count on Mallace, Troy Spielmann, Dan Zelasko, Ken Ogorzalek - just a lot of guys who can step in and play. The whole process will be really, really competitive. It will be difficult on the coaches, but exciting - the selection process will be huge. Everyone better be ready."

DEFENDERS

Milwaukee returns experience up-and-down the field, most notably on defense. Meier and Bode - who will serve as team captains for 2006 - will be back in their central defender positions and will lead a defense that ranked 18th in the country last year. That continues a UWM tradition: the team has not allowed more than a goal per game on average for the past five seasons running. In 2005, they gave up just 18 goals for a 0.74 goals against average - second in the record books to the team mark of 0.67 in 2002. Travis Phillips (11 starts) and Chris Lins (10 starts) are also set to return, adding plenty of depth to the defense for the Panthers.

"We will definitely have a strong back line with the return of Meier and Bode," Coleman said. "They are both captains and return a lot of experience ... those two will play a very focal part."

GOALKEEPERS

Goalkeeping will also loom large for UWM. A year ago, Fernstrum played his way into the starting line-up and finished with a school-record 10 shutouts to go along with a nation-leading 0.47 goals against average. But, he won't be the only goalie the Panthers have on the roster. Eric Mickschl, who went 11-3-1 in 2004, and transfer Ryan Germann will give the Panthers a lot of depth at the position.

"We are excited - it will be really competitive in goal," Coleman said. "Mick (Mickschl) isn't going to want to sit and watch as a senior and Germann is coming here to play. I know Coach Dadaian is really enjoying the situation and dynamics of it and will do an incredible job. But, no matter who is back there, we'll feel confident. We feel we have one of the top goalkeeping units in the country."

The Panthers, winners of four of the past five Horizon League Championships, will open the 2006 season against Tulsa in the Golden Hurricane Classic, August 25, in Tulsa, Okla.

Story provided by UW-Milwaukee Office of Sports Information