2010 season preview

Raiders Look to Youth to Rebound in 2010

Last season, Northwestern finished 5-12-1 overall and 3-9 in the GPAC and 11^th in the standings. The Raiders return nine players that started six games or more in 2009, including top offensive player in Jonathan Taves (seven goals, one assist) and goalkeeper in Jeff Lanser. The Raiders added a program record 20 recruits this season and have a total roster of 30.

This year’s soccer schedule features an eleven team conference schedule and a non-conference schedule that features two National Tournament Qualifiers. Five of the six teams in the non-conference schedule had winning records in 2009 and qualified for the post-season. The most challenging part of the schedule, however, will come during the month of September, when Northwestern will play only one home game and seven road contests, including the first three GPAC games.

Coach Swier points to Ben Karnish, the only captain on this year’s team, and student assistant coach Jordan Born, an All-GPAC selection last season, to help the team maneuver the challenges of the schedule. This season is Karnish’s second season as a captain, who has been a starter at midfield since he arrived at Northwestern.

Karnish will be joined in the midfield by returners Shane Lesko, Mario Garcia, Aron Pall, Taylor Biggs and newcomers Justin Lehman, Travis Sytsma, Jason Tessman, and Nick Hengst. Coach Swier says, “Midfield is by far our deepest position, we will be able to play a lot of guys. We expect them to play at a high level while are on the field as our system is geared to the strengths of the midfield players. Our success as a team begins with our midfielders.

Playing behind the midfielders will be defenders Dereck Ball, Brandon Hammack, Taylor Herbert, Bryan Duffey and recruits Spencer Rogl, Matt Dowie, and Harri Edwards. “The experience of the returners will be very valuable,” said coach Swier, “but they will need to mesh as a group quickly for us to be successful.”

Jeff Lanser, last year’s starter in goal, is back for his second season as the Red Raiders’ goalkeeper. Last season, Lanser allowed 1.52 goals a game and posted two shut-out games. “We feel very confident with Jeff, based on his experience. We expect him to continue to be consistent for us in goal,” said Dan Swier.

Jonathan Taves returns for his sophomore campaign at forward and will be joined up top by Kolby Kyle and Graham Kinsinger. “Taves will be the main striker for us, he will look to be involved on a lot of balls into the box from the midfield,” said coach Swier. “If the team can execute, our forwards will be better than last year.”

The GPAC coaches picked Northwestern to finish ninth in the conference after an 11^th place finish in 2009. Head coach Dan Swier, in his third season, says that Northwestern is a, “wild card in the conference with so many young players. At any point of the season we could have four or five freshman on the field and it’s tough to predict how our recruits will react to GPAC soccer. Our schedule will challenge us early and I hope we can focus on playing fundamental soccer and gain momentum to make noise in the conference tournament.” With the closing of Dana College, the GPAC will receive one automatic berth to the NAIA Soccer National Tournament, which will go to the winner of the eight team post-season tournament.