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Veterans, strong recruits lead soccer squad
By Tripp Mickle
Old Gold and Black Reporter

The ingredients are in place for the men’s soccer team — eight starters are returning, one of the nation’s best recruiting classes is joining them and everyone’s ambition is high.

"We want to win championships, both ACC and NCAA," Head Coach Jay Vidovich said. "We’ve got a bitter taste in our mouth from (the NCAA Tournament loss to American last season)."

The eight returning starters include junior Jeremiah White, the ACC’s leading scorer from the 2001 season; junior Will Hesmer, one of the nation’s best goalkeepers; and junior Brian Carroll, a pre-season All-American midfielder.

The key to the team’s success rests in those returning players setting the tone. Upperclassmen have done a good job so far, but the they have a long way to go, Vidovich said.

The Deacons add strong freshman talent that is expected to make immediate contributions. The class includes Justin Moose, who was rated the nation’s 7th-best freshman by Soccer America, and Ryan Alexander, who was ranked 24th. Both will be expected to contribute right away.

Attack

A strong group of proven goal scorers return this season for the Deacons. White, the first Deacon to earn All-American status as a sophomore, netted 15 goals and added seven assists last season. He will lead the attack after recuperating from a quad injury.

Sophomore Scott Sealy rejoins White up front this season. Seally scored nine goals last year, the second-highest total of any freshman in school history. Expect freshman Moose and Alexander to rotate into the attack, as well.

Midfield

Carroll returns as the man in the middle for the Deacs. He spent the last two springs playing alongside the best players in the country with the U.S. Youth National Teams in Italy, France, Portugal and Trinidad, and is expected to be the dominant presence for the Deacs.

Sophomores Ryan Caugherty and Amir Lowery join Carroll in the center of the field. Each brings the quickness and composure necessary to disrupt and destroy opponents’ attack, Vidovich said.

Defense

The Deacons back line is the team’s weakness, however, shifts in personnel will help remedy that before the season begins.

Senior Bobby Gehring, who spent his first two years as an attacker, will most likely return this year in a defensive capacity. Junior Wiggy Saunders and sophomore James Riley are also helping to improve the back.

Sophomore Kelvin Jones returns to the middle for the Deacs after suffering a foot injury late last season. His athletic ability and strength in the air will be critical to protecting the goal.

Freshman Michael Parkhurst and sophomore Wes Allen are also in a position to contribute.

Goalkeeper

Hesmer returns to the goal after emerging as one of the nation’s top goalkeepers. He was a second team All-ACC selection after posting a .91 goals against average last season, the third best in program history.

In each of the last two ACC Tournaments, the Deacs have advanced on penalty kicks largely because of Hesmer’s poise and ability.

Senior Brad McEachern has made several strides in the off-season and will back Hesmer up.

"Both are captain material," Vidovich said. "Will has the better game experience, obviously, and has proven to be our number one guy, but at the same time, Brad has mad tremendous strides."

Schedule

The Deacons will face eight teams that participated in last year’s NCAA Tournament. That includes the national champions UNC, a Final Four team, two teams that reached the quarterfinals and three that made the second round.

"There are a lot of high quality opponents on our schedule but there is not a ‘big game’ that our guys have circled on their calendar," Vidovich said. "We have defeated the last two national champions so we know one game doesn’t make a season."

The Deacs open their season with a tournament in Chapel Hill, pitting them against St. Louis and Akron. The team’s home opener is Sept. 14. The Demon Deacons will face off against the Virginia Cavaliers, who was ranked No. 2 in the preseason by Soccer America.