Men's soccer sports experienced squad in 2009

Simpson men's soccer coach Mike Wilson enters the 2009 season in a situation very few coaches have the fortune of finding themselves - he returns all 11 starters from last year's squad.

After completing the 2008 season with a record of 6-10-2 and finishing fifth in the Iowa Conference, Simpson welcomes an experienced group of returners, which includes a pair of quality midfielders in three-time all conference performer Corey Miller (Sr., Sioux City, Iowa/Bishop Heelan) and two-time all conference pick Conor Skultety (Sr., Lincoln, Neb./Southwest).

Miller and Skultety, along with senior goalkeepers Josh Youngman (Pella, Iowa/Pella) and Jeremy Ward (Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) will serve as the team captains in 2009.

"We return an experienced group of young men that are eager to prove themselves," Wilson said. "Over the past three years we have battled the best teams in our region and look forward to another challenging year. With the addition of a talented incoming class, I'm confident we will compete for the conference title."

In order to contend for its first Iowa Conference title in nine years, Simpson must improve its play on the road. Although the Storm posted a respectable 4-3-1 record at the friendly confines of Bill Buxton stadium in 2008, the Storm was only 2-7-1 away from home, a trend Wilson would like to shake.

"I believe the experience and leadership from our senior class will help us perform more effectively on the road," Wilson said. "In order to contend for the conference title, we have to be able to get results away from home and it is certainly one of our main objectives for the season."

Goalkeeper

In goal the Storm has two solid options with a pair of senior leaders in Youngman and Ward. A three-year starter, Youngman enters the season ranked in the top three in several career categories at Simpson. The 6-5 Youngman is tied for third in career wins (14), third in saves (202) and third in shutouts (7). A starter since his freshman year in 2006, Youngman set career-highs in 2008 with five shutouts, 80 saves and a 1.19 goals against average.

Although he only saw time in three matches a year ago, Ward boasts 26 career games played with 93 saves; he also has one shutout on his resume. Sophomore BJ Stokesbary (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada) didn't see time with the varsity a year ago, but did appear in five junior varsity games. Stokesbary adds more depth and athleticism in the net for the Storm.

"Josh and Jeremy provide excellent leadership and direction from the backline," Wilson said. "Each has developed well over the past three years as they continue to push one another in training. Their competitive nature not only challenges each other, it pushes the team."

Defender

Helping defend the net is a solid group of defenders that were a big part of the Iowa Conference's stingiest defense when facing league competition, as Simpson tied with Loras and Wartburg for the fewest goals allowed (7) in conference-only play. Led by a trio of returning starters in senior Matt Winegard (Muscatine, Iowa/Muscatine) and sophomores Nate VanHorn (Norwalk, Iowa/Norwalk) and Bryan Michelsen (Indianola, Iowa/Norwalk), the Storm should be strong in the back once again.

"I was pleased with the performance of our defenders last fall," Wilson said. "They really embraced their roles on the team and were determined to help the group succeed. "We have several newcomers that will add depth to our defense and will encourage a competitive environment. "

Winegard charted three assists a year ago while landing a spot on the NSCAA/adidas Men's Scholar All-North Central Region Team. VanHorn also added an assist from his defender position.

Wilson will also look to juniors Eric Nelson (Middletown, Iowa/Dannville) and Chris Lindo (Cedar Rapids, Iowa/Kennedy), sophomore and Evan Hammans (Urbandale, Iowa/West Des Moines Valley) to contribute minutes in the back.

Midfield

The strength of Simpson's attack will be found in the middle of the field. Joining all-conference picks Miller and Skultety are juniors Sandro Tadic (Urbandale, Iowa/Urbandale) and Mike Miller (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola).

Corey Miller led the 2008 squad with 14 points (five goals, four assists) while putting 14 of his 22 shots on goal (.636). With 19 assists following his first three years, Miller is only three shy of becoming the program's career assists leader. He is also capable of scoring clutch goals, as Miller boasts five career game-winners.

Tadic compiled the second-highest point total on the team (13) while leading the way with six goals. Miller added an assist.

As a three-year starter and two-year captain, Skultety serves as the Storm's field general in the middle.

"Connor is one of our most reliable and consistent players," Wilson said. "We can always count on him to win the ball out of the air or off of a tackle. We will rely on him again this fall to organize the midfield and coordinate our attack. "

Juniors Luke Haack (Ankeny, Iowa/Ankeny) and Sam Hoover (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada) will give the Storm width on its attack. Haak ranked third on the team in points (8) and goals (4) a year ago while Hoover saw time in 15 matches, making two starts and attempting five shots for the Storm.

"Luke and Sam adapted well to their new positions out wide last fall," Wilson said. "Both provide the necessary speed and ability that make for an effective attack."

Forward

In 2008, Wilson fielded an inexperienced front line that consisted of two freshmen and two juniors. With a year under its belt, Simpson's forwards will seek to improve an offense that ranked seventh in the league in shots (175), points (60) and goals (22).

Sophomore Chris Allen (Reinbeck, Iowa/Gladbrook-Reinbeck) saw the majority of the starts in 2008, with sophomore AJ George (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada) and junior Jim Frizzell (Grimes, Iowa/Johnston) also seeing significant action. George (seven points), Allen (six points) and Frizzell (four points) were fourth, fifth and sixth on the team in scoring, respectively.

"Last season provided this group a valuable opportunity to identify areas in which they needed to improve through the off-season to become more effective goal scorers," Wilson said. "Each has made great strides over the last eight months and I believe that all will have the opportunity to contribute to the team's success this fall."

Schedule

Simpson kicks off the 2009 campaign on the road at Nebraska Wesleyan Sept. 1 and opens the home slate against Puget Sound on Sept. 6, beginning a string of four straight home matches. In addition to the Iowa Conference schedule, Simpson has non-conference contests against Ottawa Unviersity, Puget Sound, Crown, Gustavus Adolphus, Grinnell, Macalester and Concordia (Minn.).

Playing a competitive Iowa Conference schedule, the storm opens on the road against 2008 tournament champion, Wartburg, and hosts last year's regular season champion, Loras in the year's final match Oct. 31. Loras finished the 2008 season ranked No. 4 in the NSCAA/adidas poll after qualifying for its second-straight NCAA Final Four.