2007 Preview

The combination of veteran leadership and an infusion of new talent bring a renewed sense of excitement and optimism to the Taylor University men’s soccer team in 2007.  After a disappointing 2006 campaign, head coach Gary Ross and the Trojans went back to work in the off season and on the recruiting trail, and they look to parlay those efforts into a winning season this fall.

Team captains Nate Miller, Bryan Miller and Benj Petroelje will provide the leadership necessary to set the tone for the rest of the team.  With a renewed sense of urgency to put more balls in the back of the net this season, Nate and Bryan Miller will be relied upon heavily to lead the offensive attack.  Speedy junior Justin Smith and 2005 All-MCC selection Jon Hughes should also see plenty of opportunities to break down defenders and score goals. 

Petroelje, returning for his fourth season as the Trojans’ goalkeeper will once again anchor the defense and provide the leadership on the defensive side of the field.  Joining Petroelje as key defenders are center backs Joe Voldrich and Nathan Toldt.  Incoming freshman Joel Pincomb will also start as an outside back.

Joining the group of veterans for coach Ross this season are a group of six incoming players that comprise a recruiting class as good as the program has seen in recent years.  Headlining this group is freshman Jake Custer, a 15-goal scorer as a senior for Worthington Christian High School, last year’s Division III state championship team in Ohio.  Custer will battle for immediate playing time and, in time, will look to be an offensive force for the Trojans.  The other four recruits – Andy Barg (Wheaton, IL), Michael Dybdahl (Columbus, OH), Phillip Gorman (Westfield, NY), and Kyle Drake (Horton, MI) – also look to gain valuable experience during their rookie seasons.

The schedule for the Trojans will provide plenty of obstacles throughout the season, especially early on.  In their first match of the year Taylor will face Judson College, who was voted the #8 team in the country in the NAIA preseason poll.  Adding to the challenge for TU is that the first six matches of the season are away from Upland, with the first home match not coming until September 11 against Urbana. 

Coach Ross believes that a challenging early season schedule will pay dividends come tournament time for his squad.  “I look forward to seeing what our guys can do this year.  The tough early part of our schedule is good for us, as it will prepare us for the tough conference season coming our way.  Six of our eight conference games are at home and one of the road games is at Indiana Wesleyan, just 20 minutes down the road.  We’re simply anxious to get the season underway,” said Ross.