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SEATTLE – (Aug. 22) After a 2016 season that did not end how it hoped, Seattle University men’s soccer looks to bounce back with strong campaign in 2017. A core of veterans mixed with a talented cast of newcomers should put SU in position to make a run at an NCAA Tournament appearance.
The Redhawks enter 2017 with the longest active home winning streak in Division I (16 games). They will have the opportunity to up their string early, as SU plays four of its first five and 10 of its first 12 games at Championship Field.
“We want to win the conference and win the conference tournament,” said Coach Pete Fewing. “We also want to host games here again. The non-conference schedule is so important in that regard.”
Fewing, in his 24th overall season at Seattle U, will guide his squad through a challenging schedule. SU, which has won at least 11 games in each of the last four years and appeared in two of the last four NCAA Tournaments, was voted to finish third in the WAC preseason coaches’ poll.
Alex Roldan leads the senior class, coming off an eight-goal season in 2016. The All-WAC First Team selection scored six game-winning goals, good for fourth-most in the nation.
Junior Nathan Aune was named WAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year following a stellar 2016 that saw him help the SU defense allow just one goal per game. The 6-4 back claimed All-WAC Second Team honors and has started all 41 games of his Redhawk career.
Sergio Rivas, another junior, is back after being chosen All-WAC First Team last year. The midfielder tallied four goals and five assists in 2016. He has started all 42 matches in his two SU career.
In 2015, Seattle U won the WAC regular season and tournament titles and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16. Expectations were high entering last season and the Redhawks did not match them.
“Last year’s starting group had such a terrific year the previous season that they were ordained the starters again,” said Fewing. “This year it’s wide open and there’s a lot of competition.”
Let’s take a look at each position group going into the 2017 campaign.
DEFENSE
Aune leads this group, who will have to replace two-time WAC Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Bjornethun and All-WAC Second Team choice Sam Langston. Aune will be featured at center back, with senior Nick Prasad, redshirt junior Anthony Ayala, and freshman Alex Acton-Petronotis also seeing time at the spot.
Tyler John, a senior, will play right back, with freshman Ivory Randle IV in the mix as well. At left back, Ayala and Kees Westra will both contribute. Robbie Landeros is expected to see time on either side of the defense. Marc Bermudez, Josh Castrillon, and Steven Rogers will add depth at this spot.
MIDFIELD
Roldan and Rivas star at a deep position for the Redhawks. Senior captain Josh Greene, senior Ozzie Ramos, and sophomore Julian Avila-Good are among the returners that will roam the midfield in 2017. Newcomers Cody Buchanan, Orlando Neto, Gabriel Ruiz, and Malte Thesenvitz have also impressed in preseason.
“There’s a lot of talent in the midfield,” said Fewing. “That will allow us to play a variety of ways and keep fresh legs.”
FORWARD
Noe Meza and Medo Youssef lead a solid group up front. Meza redshirted last season and has been a factor in both spring and preseason workouts. Youssef scored a pair of goals in 10 outings last season. Sophomores Connor Noblat and Cody Gibson, along with freshman Quinn Fahling, will compete for playing time this year.
GOALIE
Redshirt junior Josh Adachi has established himself as the starting goalie for Seattle U. The 6-3 native of Pearl City, Hawaii, takes over for the graduated Jordan Hadden, who recorded a 0.79 goals against average in net last year.
Freshmen Andrew Metcalfe and Ian Hartford provide depth in goal for the Redhawks.
“Josh looks good,” said Fewing. “He looks the part. He’s hard to get the ball around.”
With a home-heavy schedule and a group of veterans who have experienced big games at SU, the Redhawks should be in position to make a run at the WAC crown in November.