PREVIEW: Bruins Build Bigger Roster in Bid to Build More Wins

NEWBERG, Ore. - There was a "method to the madness" in the recruiting mindset of George Fox University men's soccer coach Tim Tsohantaridis during the off-season following the Bruins' 2-15-3 mark in 2008, his first losing record in six seasons of college ball.

"Our goal was to recruit numbers for competition, to bring in as many new players as we could to challenge the returning players," explained Tsohantaridis, who is 52-38-7 in five seasons at George Fox (including four seasons from 1986-89) and 58-44-7 overall.  "Pushing our returnees to improve in order to keep their spots, as well as finding some new players to fill in openings in the lineup or win a starting job, can be hard on the incumbents, but it is also a good thing if it helps build our program back up."

If the goal was numbers, the Bruin coaching staff certainly accomplished that.  A total of 41 players (21 letterwinners and 20 newcomers) populate the roster, and for the first time since the mid-1990's, George Fox will field a junior varsity team as well as a varsity program.  Of course, numbers don't mean much without some talent as well, and Tsohantaridis believes the Bruins have improved in that area, too.

Nine starters from last year's squad that went 1-11-2 and finished eighth in the conference are back, led by Second Team All-NWC forward Brennan Altringer (So., Beaverton, Ore. / Southridge HS), the team's leading scorer with 13 points on five goals and three assists. 

"Even with Brennan, who is becoming one of the best players in the conference, we weren't a very good offensive team, and we hope to see the biggest change in our team here," admits Tsohantaridis.  To that end, the Bruins are shifting returnee Sean Daughtry (Jr., Vancouver, Wash. / Battle Ground HS) from the back line to the front line, and also have Tony Zamora (Sr., San Salvador, El Salvador / Newberg HS), who has fought injuries much of his career, back for a final year.

Among the new forwards, Fidel Izquierdo (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Hillsboro HS), a transfer from Oregon State University, Geoffrey Wacker (Fr., Coupeville, Wash. / Coupeville HS), and Sean Jany (Fr., North Bend, Ore. / North Bend HS) are the most likely newcomers to contribute immediately.  Izquierdo may miss the first couple of games due to minor injuries.  Wacker played for former Bruin soccer star Josh Turpen's standout club team in the Seattle area.  Jany is a versatile talent who can play the midfield as well.  Andrew Van der Werff (Fr., Redding, Calif. / Redding Christian HS) and Ethan Houghton (Fr. Anchorage, Alaska / Grace Christian HS) will also help.

"All our new forwards are good scorers who know how to find the net," summarizes Tsohantaridis, "and we expect all of them to help at some point in their careers."

In the midfield, the Bruins welcome back starters Brian Story (Sr., Graham, Wash. / Bethel HS), Jon Gutierrez (Sr., Portland, Ore. / Westview HS), and versatile Peter Luginbill (Jr., Caledonia, Ill. / Christian Life HS), who can play almost any position on the field.  Story was second on the team in points with nine on three goals and three assists, Gutierrez had a goal and three assists, and Luginbill had one assist. 

Kyle Story (Sr., Graham, Wash. / Bethel HS) was a starter until being sidelined for the season with an injury after eight games, but had a goal and an assist while in there.  David Rickey (Jr., Richmond, Ind. / Richmond HS), who appeared in 14 games, and Grant Knowles (So., Monmouth, Ore. (Santiam Christian HS), who played in 12, add more experience to the midfield. 

"We have a solid group of veterans in the middle," notes Tsohantaridis, "but we have several newcomers who are talented and playing well.  They will all be fighting hard for starting spots."

Gustavo Moreno-Vela (Fr. Woodburn, Ore. / Woodburn HS) "is smart and experienced", says Tsohantaridis, "and appears about ready to take a starting outside middle spot."  The coach has also enjoyed the work of center mids Kane Ransom (Fr., Newberg, Ore. / Newberg HS) and Ryan Corbett (Fr., Kalispell, Mont. / Glacier HS) and outside mid Stephen Gipson (Fr., Redmond, Ore. / Redmond HS).  Sergio Cisneros (Fr., Klamath Falls, Ore. / Mazama HS) is another who is expected to help eventually.

Returnee Kristopher Brown (So., Monmouth, Ore. / Santiam Christian HS), who saw time in four games, and newcomers Ryan Virgin (Fr., Newberg, Ore. / Newberg HS), Joseph Byrnes (Fr., Providence, Utah / Mountain Crest HS), and John Vander Houwen (Fr., Yakima, Wash. / Naches Valley HS) provide midfield depth.

"We will look for our midfielders to become more goal-oriented this year," says Tsohantaridis, "finding scoring spaces for the strikers."

The Bruins' defensive line appears fortified with returning starters Keith Marshall (Sr., Redmond, Ore. / Redmond HS), Connor Campbell (Jr., Salem, Ore. / West Salem HS), Tim Palmer (Jr., Salem, Ore. / West Salem HS), and Zach Sanders (Sr., Puyallup, Wash. / Emerald Ridge HS).  Marshall, also a talented offensive player, had two goals and one assist last year, while Campbell also had an assist.

Josh Couch (So., Roseburg, Ore. / Roseburg HS), Joseph Tiede (So., Anchorage, Alaska / Bartlett HS), Wade Knowles (So., Monmouth, Ore./ Santiam Christian HS), and Adam Harrington (So., Hillsboro, Ore. / C.S. Lewis HS) also return on defense, though Harrington has been slowed by an injured ankle.  One of the fall's best stories has been the improved play of Brent Crocker (So., Toledo, Wash.), of whom Tsohantaridis says, "He's worked hard to develop his game, and he's pushing for a starting position."

Derek Buttrick (Fr., Spokane, Wash. / Northwest Christian HS) is a sweeper who could also challenge for a first-string slot.  Jesus Izquierdo (Fr., Hillsboro, Ore. / Hillsboro HS) and Andrew Vasilauskas (Fr., Ocean Park, Me. / home-schooled), a transfer from Nyack College, will provide defensive depth while they gain college experience.  Jared Angle (Fr., Tualatin, Ore. / Tualatin HS), who would have contributed immediately on defense, is out for the season due to injury and could seek a medical hardship.

Jake Maguire (Sr., Aurora, Ore. / North Marion HS) and Danny Kamna (So., Hillsboro, Ore. / Hillsboro HS) are the incumbents at goalkeeper.  Maguire led the conference in saves per game (6.50) and was second in total saves (91) with a shutout at Pacific, while Kamna appeared in seven games and posted a shutout against Walla Walla.

"I expect Jake and Danny to do the bulk of the work in goal," says Tsohantaridis, "but Elliott Davis (Fr., Canby, Ore. / Canby HS) is very quick and will be a good one."  Rangy 6-7 Kasey Haugan (Fr., Kalispell, Mont. / Glacier HS) and Jacob Baker (Fr., Newberg, Ore. / Newberg HS), the son of university president Dr. Robin Baker, have also been pleasant surprises. 

"We now have depth at every spot," notes Tsohantaridis, "which will enable us to survive if we have injuries, something that has crippled us the last few years.  We've been at or near the bottom of the conference for longer than we have wanted to be, but with our talented freshman class and the improvement I've seen in our returnees, I believe we have the players to get some good results."

The Bruins open their 2009 season with a two-game trip to California.  On Thursday, Sept. 3, they will take on California State University-Stanislaus in Turlock at 7:00 p.m., then travel to San Diego for a Saturday, Sept. 5, match at Point Loma Nazarene University at 2:00 p.m.  George Fox's home opener is set for Monday, Sept. 7, at 4:00 p.m. vs. Northwest Christian University.