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Red Hawks Set Their Sights On Conference Tournament
The Ripon College men's soccer team came out like gangbusters last season, losing just one of their first eight games. Unfortunately, they would win just one game the rest of the year to finish with a record of 5-9-3. This year, the Red Hawks will hope to put together a complete campaign that duplicates last year's first half. In order to do that, the team will put their trust in one another, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the Midwest Conference Tournament for the first time in three years.
"It will take a completely united team that plays for one another, and believes in what we are trying to accomplish. The team has great spirit and it's important for all of us to keep everything positive so that we can overcome any adversity the season brings," said head coach Todd Parker. "We keep telling them that it's not what happens to you that defines you, but how you respond, and I believe that this team will respond to the challenge of playing well the entire season."
The Red Hawks had just one senior on last year's squad, which means they'll be one of the more experienced teams in the MWC this season. They'll have five seniors to lead the way, who combined for 21 of the team's 31 goals last season. None were better than team captains Kris Hanson (Oshkosh, Wis./West) and Chris Quillman (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien), who led the team with six and five goals, respectively. Quillman also recorded a team-high five assists.
"Hanson and Quillman are two All-Conference players that will lead this team both on and off the field," Parker said.
Demba Camara (Gambia/Sun Prairie), Jared Brown (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien), and Roger Gardea (Wichita Falls, Texas/Wichita Falls) are three other seniors who will be expected to contribute immensely. Camara and Brown each scored five goals in 2007, while also combining for six assists. Gardea, who started 12 games for the Red Hawks last season, while recording one assist, will look to play an even bigger role this year.
"Demba is another All-Conference selection that will bring creativity and productivity into our attack, while Jared will provide leadership as a defender," said Parker. "Gardea will also play a very influential role as an attacker."
It's always a plus to have senior leadership to lean on, but after starting several freshmen last year, the Red Hawks will look to a few non-seniors to assume some leadership positions.
"It's a big advantage to have senior experience, but it will be an even bigger advantage to have a talented pool of younger players who will push our experienced players to not only keep their role, but make it more significant than in year’s past," said Parker. "All players are important because every player has a role that helps the team and they'll understand what that role is, so that we will fight united as a team."
Sophomores Bob Bradbury (Oregon, Wis./Oregon) and Matt Schultz (Waukesha, Wis./West) will play an important role, as that duo will once again share time at goalkeeper. They combined for 108 saves last year, with a combined save percentage of .708. Fellow sophomore Alan Arts (South Milwaukee, Wis./South Milwaukee) will try to make it easy on them, returning as one of the team's top defenders.
"Bradbury and Schultz will provide foundation in the net, while Arts will provide rock-solid support on the defensive side of the field," Parker said.
Joe Bushman (Sturgeon, Bay, Wis./Sturgeon Bay), Avery Johnson (Minneapolis, Minn.), Kevin Cederholm (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower), and Zach Hershoff (New Berlin, Wis./Eisenhower) are four other sophomores that will see a lot of action. Cederholm started 12 games last season, scoring three goals, while Hershoff earned 15 starts. Johnson and Bushman played in 12 and nine games, respectively, providing a lot of support off the bench. Junior Ben Fendrich (Oak Park, Ill./Oak Park) is another promising player, who will return this season, after sitting out last year.
"Expect Cederholm and Hershoff to have breakout years in their second season with the team," said Parker. "Bushman will also provide some depth in the central midfield, while Johnson and Fendrich will both help as a wide player in the attack."
In addition to the returning players, the Red Hawks will boast a talented crop of first-year players. Addison Ransom (Fond du Lac, Wis./Fond du Lac), Ben Baron (DePere, Wis./Green Bay Southwest), and Mitch Brouse (Salt Lake City, Utah/East) are three of those players that could possibly contribute right away.
"Ransom is a quick and complete player who can play anywhere I ask of him and will provide some stability in places of need, while Baron will provide a much-needed scoring punch. Brouse will look to help our midfield with creativity and simplicity rolled into a package of athletic endurance," Parker said.
Other first-year players that could contribute will be freshmen Marco Rhein (Omro, Wis./Berlin), Kyle Wolff (Cheyenne, Wyo./Central), Jayson Krause (Spring Grove, Ill./Richmond-Burton), Jim Kulas (West Allis, Wis./Pius XI), and sophomore transfer Scott Vanderhoof (Sturgeon Bay, Wis./Sturgeon Bay). The goalkeeping core will be bolstered by the addition of freshman Ryan Crane (Deerfield, Ill./Deerfield).
With such a closely-knit and experienced team already, the Red Hawks are primed for a run at a MWC Conference tournament berth, which they missed by a single game last year. They know that to achieve that goal, they'll have to continue to work together and trust each other to get the job done.
"Our team motto is 'united with one heartbeat'. We recognize that our success lies in each other's hands and that makes all the difference," said Parker. "It is a privilege to be the coach of a group of guys who truly know how to treat each other with dignity and respect. We have fun together and we expect great things from each other day in and day out."
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