By: Julee Christianson '11
With the 2010 season behind them, the Seattle University men's soccer team is working full steam ahead to prep for the 2011 campaign. Following their second season in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF), the Redhawks capped off the season on a high note, beating CSU Bakersfield, 1-0, in overtime. Bakersfield had been the conference leader the entire season and the victory culminated their season-long progression and development. Seattle U ended the season third in the MPSF, missing the conference tournament by two points in the final week of the season. The final win against the conference leaders gave the Redhawks momentum into their off-season workouts and spring season, guiding them into a successful 2011 season.
Seattle U kicks off their spring season against Simon Fraser on Friday, Apr. 1 at 4 p.m. at Whatcom CC. SU's first home match is versus rival University of Washington on Saturday, Apr. 9 at 2 p.m.
A Look at the 2010 Season
After tough loses in their first three matches, the Seattle U men's soccer began to turn their season around with a 2-2 double overtime tie versus Michigan on Sept. 12, at the SU-hosted Seattle University Tournament. This propelled them into a successful weekend where they won the Oregon State Hensor/Zaher Nike Classic on Sept. 17-18 in Corvallis, Ore. At the tournament, Seattle U shutout both Central Arkansas and UC Davis, 1-0. During the next week, undeterred by a tough loss against University of Washington, the Redhawks bounced back with a 1-1 double overtime tied against then No. 24 Portland on Sept. 26.
The men's season-best weekend at home was Oct. 8-10, when SU shutout both San Jose State and Sacramento State. The Redhawks tied SJSU 0-0 in double overtime and beat CSUS 1-0. The back-to-back clean sheets were credited to all around solid play and the debut of freshman goalkeeper Jake Feener into the lineup.
After a string of loses, Seattle U snapped a three-game losing streak with a 2-0 win over UNLV on Oct. 24, in Las Vegas, Nev. The Redhawks fell in their final two home games, before stunning the season-long MPSF leaders CSU Bakersfield with a 1-0 overtime shutout victory.
Multiple Seattle U players were honored this season, with several Redhawks earning their first accolades as NCAA Division I athletes. The Redhawks began the season at the SMU Tournament, where freshman midfielder Nico De la Cruz and senior defender Brandon Hamer were added to the 10-player all-tournament team. Senior midfielder Sean Morris, junior midfielder Kyle Peterman, and Hamer represented SU during the Redhawks' SU Tournament. Along with earning the tournament championship at the OSU Hensor/Zaher Nike Tournament, three players earned all-tournament recognition. Hamer and Morris were again recognized, along with senior defender David Raney. Goalkeeper Ivan Dizdar was named MPSF Men's Soccer Player of the Week for his multiple shutout performances on Sept. 21. On Oct. 11, Feener was given the same honor after a successful weekend shutout performance at home over SJSU and CSUS. To finish off the season, Morris and Peterman were both names to the All-MPSF Conference Team. Co-captain Morris was named to the second team, while Peterman received honorable mention honors.
Five Redhawks also earned MPSF All-Academic accolades for posting above a 3.0 cumulative grade point average. Hamer led the way with a perfect 4.0 in the Fall 2010 quarter and a 3.6 cumulative GPA. Joining Hamer on the list were: Ryan Blair, Troy Bratten, Marshall Kosaka and Peterman.
Individual Player Highlights
Brady Ballew (Marysville, Wash.) - Freshman Brady Ballew provided an offensive spark for the Redhawks this season, scoring two goals and making an assist. His first career goal clinched the win against UC Davis on Sept. 19.
Renato Bandeira (Sammamish, Wash.) - Freshman midfielder/striker Renato Bandeira played in
16 games this season, earning the starting nod nine times. Bandeira took nine shots, including four on goal.
Cheno Barajas (White Salmon, Ore.) - Junior midfielder Cheno Barajas saw increased sub minutes toward the end of the season. He saw action in four games and recorded a shot on goal.
Ryan Blair (Albuquerque, N.M.) - Defender Ryan Blair saw action in 16 goals, including seven starts. The sophomore took two shots on goal this season. Blair was named to the all-academic team to end the year.
Troy Bratten (Gresham, Ore.) - Sophomore Troy Bratten saw action in 15 games this season, including five starts at midfielder. He recorded his second career assist on Nico De la Cruz's game-winning goal versus Sacramento State on Oct. 10. Bratten took 12 shots on the season, including four on target. He earned MPSF All-Academic honors to conclude the year.
Kevin Cook (Gresham, Ore.) - Kevin Cook is the only Redhawk to start all 18 games this season. The junior defender scored his first career goal in a win at UNLV on Oct. 24. Cook also assisted on Marshal Kosaka's game-winner in the last game of the season at CS Bakersfield on Nov. 7.
Nico De la Cruz (Port Orchard, Wash.) - Nico De la Cruz was the only freshman to start in every game for the Redhawks this season. In the midfield, De la Cruz scored his first career goal with 11 seconds remaining to clinch the Redhawks win versus Sacramento State on Oct. The rookie tallied 12 shots, including two on goal this season.
Ivan Dizdar (Croatia) - Between the pipes, Ivan Dizdar started and played in 10 games. The senior made 65 saves and recorded three shutouts on the season. He was awarded MPSF Player of the Week in on Sept. 21, when he posted consecutive shutouts to help guide the Redhawks to the OSU Hensor/Zaher Nike Tournament title.
Jake Feener (Rocklin, Calif.) - Freshman Jake Feener began to see action between the posts halfway through the season, bolstering the Redhawks defense. The rookie goalkeeper earned MPSF Men's Soccer Player of the Week on Oct. 11, after a successful weekend shutout performance at home. In eight starts, Feener tallied 41 saves on the season with a 1.09 goals against average. He also had three shutouts on the season.
Brandon Hamer (Carmichael, Calif.) - Brandon Hamer had a break out season after making the transition from midfielder/forward to defender this season. The junior was named to three all-tournament teams, including the Southern Methodist Tournament, the Seattle University Tournament and the Oregon State Hensor/Zacher Nike Classic. Hamer started in all 17 matches that he saw action in. He was the team's top academic performer, being named to the MPSF All-Academic Team.
Tyler Hanson (Federal Way, Wash.) - Midfielder Tyler Hanson scored his first career goal on Sept. 4 against Tulsa. He saw action in three games on the year.
Marshall Kosaka (Burien, Wash.) - Marshal Kosaka was one of three Redhawks to see action in all 18 matches this season, starting 15 of them. The junior played primarily in the midfield, while also seeing minutes up top. He took 23 shots, including 10 on goal. Kosaka tallied two goals on the season, including an overtime game-winning header in the season finale against CS Bakersfield on Nov. 7. He concluded the year by being named to the MPSF All-Academic Team.
Sean Morris (Bothell, Wash.) - As co-captain Sean Morris showed veteran leadership throughout the season in the midfield. The senior was named to a pair of all-tournament teams and concluded his collegiate career being named to the All-MPSF Second Team. Morris started and played in 16 matches, scoring one goal and making one assist. He was selected by the Seattle Sounders FC in the supplemental draft this past winter.
Kyle Peterman (Boise, Idaho) - Junior Kyle Peterman transitioned from playing primarily in the midfield position to a striker this season. He started 16 of the 17 matches he played and scored a team-high three goals this season. He was named to the Seattle University All-Tournament Team, after scoring two goals in the tournament. Peterman was also named an All-MPSF Honorable Mention and all-academic selection.
David Raney (Lynnwood, Wash.) - After two years sidelined due to injury, David Raney returned to the Redhawk lineup for his junior season. At defender he played in 16 games, including making 15 starts. For his leadership in the backline, Raney was named to the Oregon State Hensor/Zaher Nike Classic All-Tournament Team in the Redhawks' double shutout weekend. He was also a co-captain this season.
Demaci Roussos (Sacramento, Calif.) - At outside defender, Demaci Roussos saw action in 12 games this season, starting 11 of them. The co-captain, who returned to action from injury, took 17 shots, including two on goal. He was also part of the backline in four SU shutouts on the year.
Bobby Segal (Portland, Ore.) - Defender Bobby Segal earned his first career playing minutes this season. The sophomore assisted on Ballew's goal in the 56th minutes in first career start versus Air Force on Oct. 29.
Ben Striar (Portland, Ore.) - In his rookie season, Ben Striar saw action in 17 games, earning eight starts. The midfielder tallied eight shots on the year.
Ed Walugembe (Kampala, Uganda) - Senior Ed Walugembe gave the Redhawks speed on the frontline and in the midfield. Walugembe played in all 18 games this season, starting 13. He scored one goal on the year against then ranked No. 24 Portland Pilots.
Looking Forward
Now NCAA tournament eligible, the Seattle U men's soccer team will look to build on their experience accumulated this season. The Redhawks look forward to a tough schedule next year, including matches against multiple top teams.