USD Men's Soccer 2008

YOUTHFUL TOREROS LOOK TO MAKE STATEMENT IN 2008 Head Coach of the men's soccer program Seamus McFadden hits a milestone as he enters his 30th year of coaching while also on the hunt for his 300th career victory. His coaching staff this off season has been busy searching out and recruiting the best talent both na– tionally and internationally, while his seniors have been leading the returners and newcomers in drills and performance training. 2008 Feld and Jesse Baker are also expected to step up and pro– duce this season as they battle for playing time. "We got a core of solid ju– niors that we are expecting good things from this season;' commented McFadden. Sophomores Lions FC and the Carlsbad Light– ning Soccer Club as well as the Senior Staff Coach at Soccer Plus Goalkeeping Academy. Schedule San Diego will face tough com– petition this season, including seven opponents that made post season appearances in 2007, three of which are West Coast Confer– ence teams. San Diego takes off for Los Angeles where they will face No. 8 ranked Saint Louis in the LMU Tournament followed by No. 10 ranked New Mexico. Saint Louis made a first round appear– ance only to lose in penalty kicks against Illinois-Chicago.

Sophomore Chase Tangney returns to the line up as well as sophomores JD Penilton and Kegan Johnson. Transfer Corey Noris, who is eligible for three years, will also be called upon to take the field for the Toreros this fall as he has showed well in camp. Freshman McFadden said the fresh– man are a dynamic group of athletes this year. "Kevin Cook has already begun to show athletically as well as Stephen Posa with a quick release;' McFadden said. "Jorge Reza plays very smooth and Charles Blase will all get some minutes through out the season:' The starting line up for USD is yet to be determined. However, Grey and Peterman will bring leadership to the defense. The midfield will be a solid group despite a lot of new faces including Andrew Feld and Jorge Reza, as well as returner JD Penilton. Up front on the attack, fans will see Howlan back along with newcomer Stephen Posa. Captains This year, the team select– ed three captains: Dane Mc– Cleary, Sam Reeder, and Eddie Ahman. Coaching staff Returning for his fourth year is Assistant Coach Mike Nich– olson. Also back for a second year with USD is Assistant Coach Brian Quinn. Finally, joining the coaching staff is Assistant Volunteer Coach Guillermo Rodriguez who will bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the goal– keeper corp. A 2000 graduate of Niagara University, he was a four year starter in the box. Rodriguez currently is director of goalkeeping for the Three

The Toreros have been picked to finish second in the West Coast Conference preseason coaches poll for the second straight year. McFadden and his staff held try– outs during camp in order to cre– ate the best mix of players to get the team into a position to head to the post season and make a run at the College Cup. "Our biggest problem we face will be integrating the 13 new players into the program and that's substantial when your bring– ing them into a year when you're playing five of the nations top-10 teams from 2007;' commented McFadden. Recap San Diego finished second in the wee standings in 2007with an 11- 8-1 overall record and an 8-3-1 con– ference mark but was overlooked for selection to the postseason. The Toreros lost only five seniors last season, including Dustin Guer– rero, Colin Jennings, and Tannen Weis. However the loss of last years senior class will not heav– ily affect the team as McFadden and his staff have an incoming re– cruiting class to help fill the gaps. The addition to this year's roster includes three transfers while the other ten are true freshman . Seniors "We really have Eddie and Dane as our seniors which means we are a young team;' McFadden said. He went on to say that his staff is confident that everyone will step up and contribute through out the Junior JT Howlan returns hav– ing lead the team in goals scored last season with nine. Juniors Tim Grey and Ryan Peterman will make strong contributions in the back field . Junior transfers Andrew season . Juniors

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The Toreros return home to new grass laid down in Torero Stadi– um over the summer for the San Diego Classic co-hosted by USD and San Diego State. The Toreros take on Albany first and the Uni– versity of Michigan. USD will then travel to Los Angeles to take on Indiana, a team that finished 14th overall in 2007 and was bounced out in the second round. West Coast Conference play begins on October 3rd when USD travels to Saint Mary's. "Our main priority is to get back to the post season;' state McFad– den. "That is our objective this season, that and win the confer– ence title. We've improved our strength of schedule, we've add– ed to our coaching staff, we've brought in the best talent in the country, it's just waiting for that first match to take place and see how the pieces fall into place:'

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2008 Captins Time Grey, Eddie Ah– man, and Sam Reeder

USD NCAA TOURNAMENT APPEARANCES - 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1990