Men's Soccer | 8/9/2010 12:18:17 PM
McPherson Kan. – The McPherson College men’s soccer team begins preseason preparations for the 2010 season on Monday, August 16. The Bulldogs enter the season with high expectations for the fall, and anticipate being in the hunt for its third straight KCAC Championship in late October.
MC will have a little more than two weeks of workouts, including scrimmages with Allen County Community College and a McPherson soccer alumni squad. A member of the Jayhawk Conference, the Red Devils finished ninth in the KJCCC with an 8-9-2 record a year ago.
The Bulldogs return seven starters from its 15-2 (9-0 KCAC) squad, including KCAC players of the year Tyler Tank and Blake Jett. The duo led a defense that allowed just nine goals, while posting 10 shutouts. Tank, a 2010 team captain, earned NAIA honorable mention All-American status and KCAC Defensive Player of the Year, while Jett received the annual Goalkeeper of the Year award from the conference.
The primary question surrounding this McPherson squad will be its ability to replace three-time NAIA All-American and career scoring leader Armando Rodriguez. Rodriguez led the team with 37 points on 16 goals and five assists in 17 starts. Other notable losses to the squad include Alex Toro (graduation), Anthony Baldi (graduation) and Jose Arenas (graduation).
Fans will get their first chance to see the 2010 Bulldogs on Wednesday, August 25 in an exhibition against Allen County Community College at McPherson Stadium at 7:00 p.m. The event will precede McPherson’s home opener on Wednesday, September 1 vs. Concordia University (Neb.) at 8:00 p.m.
