EVANSVILLE – After closing out the 2015 season with a 4-0 victory, the University of Evansville men's soccer team will be looking to build on that positivity as they begin the second season under the direction of head coach Marshall Ray, beginning this weekend with matches at Xavier and Northern Kentucky.
"I think we've all been anxiously awaiting this weekend since the final game of last season," Ray said. "We have a good group back together, and we've been working hard since January to get to this point. I'm looking forward to getting started."
Men's Soccer Opening Weekend
UE at Xavier (Friday, 6 p.m. Central): Live Stats |
XU Website
UE at Northern Kentucky (Sunday, 1 p.m. Central): Live Stats |
NKU Website
Last season, the Aces posted a 3-13 record.
"I think the personality of the group is starting to mirror that of myself and players like Ian McGrath and our other leaders," Ray said. "I think they've gotten more comfortable in those leadership roles. We're figuring out how to compete for 90 minutes and 120 minutes in training."
On-the-field chemistry has certainly been a point of emphasis this preseason for UE, and the growth that its led to defensively is something that has Ray excited. In the lone preseason contest of the fall, the Aces defense shut out IUPUI. Bolstered by the return of veterans Ryan Koenig, Trevor Baum and Chris Shuck as well as newcomers like Eric McDougal and Simon Waever, Ray believes he has an imposing back line.
"There's no question that we've been focusing on defense for a majority of our preseason," Ray said. "We have to do a much better job of protecting the goal this season. Having Trevor back will be nice because I think we struggled a bit after he got hurt last year. He and Chris have developed a good relationship back there. Ryan's done well too, and Eric has had an unbelievable preseason. Simon brings us a little bit of versatility. He can play back there or up front as a winger. We have a lot of options and a lot of competition. I think those guys are really playing well together, and it may take us a few games to figure out who our best four will be."
In net, all three goalkeepers on the roster have seen significant playing time this preseason. Both Matthew Keller and Greg Niven return to the team after splitting minutes last season, and freshman Frederik Reimer has joined the group after an impressive youth career with Danish giant Aalborg BK.
"Matt's had a really good preseason in goal," Ray revealed. "Frederik has been pushing him, and Matt's been pushing Frederik. It's great. Matt has another year under his belt, and Frederik has a good pedigree but hasn't played in real matches for a while. I think it's going to be a game-time decision for us, and I definitely feel more comfortable about that position this year."
Ian McGrath, the lone goal-scorer in last week's IUPUI friendly, headlines the midfield group. A junior out of New Lenox, Ill., he looks to further solidify himself as one of the team's top options after picking up an All-MVC honorable mention last season. He'll be joined in the midfield by fellow returners Cameron Cool and MVC All-Freshman honoree Zac Blaydes as well as a number of newcomers, including Ireland U19 international Jesse Stafford Lacey.
"Cameron was probably the highlight of the first few days of preseason," Ray said. "He's played really well for us, and Zac has continued to be steady and hard-working. As for Ian, we could play him at centerback, we could play him at center forward. I think we could put him in any position, including goal, and he'd help us. It's a nice problem to have, and he'll probably find his role in the midfield somewhere."
Meanwhile, at the front of the attack, the Aces will be looking to replace the goal-scoring prowess of Mark Anthony Gonzalez, who parlayed an impeccable UE career into a regular role for the USL's Swope Park Rangers. Jared Robinson, one of just two seniors on the team, highlights the forward options for Ray.
"I think Jared has had a great preseason for us," Ray said. "He enjoys the technical side of things, but he likes to mix it up as well. He can do both, and I think he's starting to realize that. I think that the versatility of this team can allow us to do a few different things depending on the teams that we're going to be playing against. We have a lot of guys who can fit into different roles, and it will depend on them solidifying those spots over the next couple of weeks."
The Aces will kick off the season with an extended road swing, with the team playing away from Arad McCutchan Stadium each of the first two weekends, starting with Xavier on Friday night. The Musketeers are coming off a 12-6-1 campaign a year ago and were picked fourth in the Big East this season. On Sunday, UE will be looking to repeat the heroics of last year's 4-0 decision over the Norse, who ended 8-7-4 overall. Both XU and NKU posted 1-1 records this preseason, with the Musketeers beating Rio Grande and falling to Maryland, and the Norse falling to Rio Grande before thumping Kentucky a week ago.
NOTES: UE is 26-13-2 all-time in season-openers but just 9-9-2 in those played away from home … The Aces hold a 20-2-3 all-time record against former conference foe Xavier, with the first meeting taking place in 1977 … The two sides drew that day before the Aces picked up the first win in the series a year later, marking the first of 14 consecutive for UE … The first XU win came by a 3-2 score in 1993 … UE is 8-2-1 all-time vs. the Musketeers in Cincinnati … The last meeting in the series was a scoreless draw in Evansville in 2010 … Sunday marks just the second meeting with Northern Kentucky, which is now a fully-active NCAA Division I member and eligible for postseason play … Current players Zac Blaydes and Mikey Matic combined for three assists in last year's 4-0 win.
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