2007 MEN’S SOCCER PREVIEW

The 2007 Night Hawks soccer team looks to build upon the foundation set by their 8-8-2 2006 season, under the guidance of third year head coach Ricky Zambrano. Thomas will be looking to quickly gel a roster that includes 14 freshman, 1 transfer and 7 returning players.

“Our main goal this season is to establish a mentality of pursuing excellence. We expect our players to develop this mentality and apply it to everything we do on and off the field, “stated Zambrano. “ Our success this season will rely upon our success in developing this mentality and our ability to build the team chemistry early”. Some of this responsibility will fall to the leadership of Co-Captains, seniors Josh Bruno (Tallahassee, FL) and Phil Gordon (St. Abbs, Scotland).

Goalkeepers: Sophomore Jan Feldman (Enebyberg, Sweden) will be counted upon to man the Night Hawk net after a solid freshman year. “Jan has the ability to be one of the top goalkeepers in the region”, said Zambrano. Feldman posted a 1.27 GAA while making 84 saves last season. Freshman Coyle Self (Tallahassee, FL) provides TU with great depth in the goal and will be expected to develop his ability throughout the season.

Defenders: The TU back line took the biggest hit after the 06 season losing co-captains Wylie Clarke and Jonathan Carroll along with two year starter Brendan Mooney and sweeper Sheldon Gordon. “Losing the whole backline from the 06 team hurts but we feel we have been able to replace the losses”, said Zambrano. Junior transfer Cormac Finn (Dublin, Ireland) will anchor a defense that combines athleticism, technical and tactical ability. Sophomore Matt Spencer (Miami, FL) will solidify the outside along with freshman Anthony Terrou (Miramar, FL). Fellow freshman Jason Whale (Darlington, England) and Jacob Ohlsson (Malmo, Sweden) will battle for a spot along side of Finn. Junior Roger Ketchum (Monticello, FL) along with freshman Joshua Ganz (San Salvador, El Salvador) and Hunter Taylor (Thomasville, GA) give TU many options and insurance.

Midfielders: Gordon and junior Jonathan Williams (Tallahassee, FL) will bring experience and leadership to the Night Hawks midfield. Williams started all eighteen games he played in while Gordon finished tied for the team lead in assists. Freshman Luciano Lorca (Stockholm, Sweden) will come in and provide the midfield with a dangerous playmaker. TU will look for many players to step up and fill the remaining holes in the midfield, among them are freshman David Gourgues (Mandeville, LA), Jonathan Rivera (Tampa, FL), Luis Moncada (Miramar, FL), Marc Musto (Land O’Lakes, FL) and David Franco (Miami, FL). “I really feel like our midfield could be the strongest area on the field for us”, said Zambrano. “We have a lot of talent and potential. What I am really excited about is the versatility, we even have defenders that can step up and fill roles in the middle for us”.

Forwards: Bruno returns as the teams leading goal scorer from 06, with 14 goals and 1 assist good for 29 points. He will be joined in the front line by the teams’ second leading goal scorer from last season, junior Abdul Muma (Lanham, MD). Muma finished last season with 8 goals on 19 shots. TU will also welcome in a talented freshman, Alex Fleming (Birmingham, England), who is expected to heavily contribute right away. “The front line gives us varied weapons to use in each game”, said Zambrano. “Each player gives us different attributes that will help this team greatly”.

Schedule and Outlook: An extremely challenging schedule awaits the 2007 Night Hawks, featuring five pre season nationally ranked opponents. The TU men will go on the road to face NAIA #5 Webber International (2006 NAIA National Semi Finalist), #11 Embry Riddle University, #20 Savannah College of Art & Design, and NCAA DII #3 University of West Florida. In October the Night Hawks will welcome defending NAIA Region 14 champions #25 Northwood University (2006 NAIA National Tournament Quarter Finalist). In addition to West Florida, TU will also face seven other NCAA Division II opponents, University of Tampa, Nova Southeastern University, Florida Sothern College, Rollins College, St. Leo University, Flagler College and Georgia Southwestern University.

The Night Hawks will be looking for a return appearance to the Region 14 tourney in Savannah, GA November 2-3, after failing to qualify in 2006. Entering the season with a pre season #5 regional ranking TU will look to work their way up the rankings in the hopes of securing a bid to the tourney. Region 14 has grown into one of the strongest regions in the country, sending three teams to the 2006 NAIA National Tournament, with two of them qualifying for the quarterfinals. With four regional opponents ranked in the pre season national top 25 the road to Savannah will not be an easy one but the Night Hawks are to ready to soar to the challenge! TU will host the visiting NCAA DII University of Tampa Spartans in their 2007 home opener at 4:30pm on Saturday August 25 at the Wendy's Soccer Complex.