Ian Acker
The Wittenberg men's soccer team has high expectations entering the 2006 season. With the North Coast Athletic Conference as stronger than ever this year, the Tigers hope that the return of 15 letterwinners, including eight starters, will provide the necessary leadership for a shot at the program's first-ever conference title.
The Tigers made their first trip to the now six-year-old NCAC Tournament a year ago, part of a season that included records of 7-6-6 overall and 4-2-3 in the conference regular season, good for fourth place. The key to the season was a dynamic freshman class.
The Tigers appear to be well-balanced heading into the 2006 season, but the return of sophomore defenderJustin Jenkins (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), the 2005 NCAC Newcomer of the Year, makes the backfield a good place to start. Jenkins spearheaded a defensive effort that led to four shutouts in 19 games and just eight goals allowed in nine conference games.
The Tigers are also set quite well in goal, as senior Adam Horrocks (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes) returns as the starter for a fourth straight year. Other returning letterwinners on defense are sophomores Michael Hosket (Yellow Springs, Ohio/Yellow Springs), who started 10 games in 2005, and Jay Knox (Gahanna, Ohio/St. Charles), who started all 19 contests a year ago. Also back after making at least nine starts in 2005 are senior Kenny Proops (Charleston, W.Va/Catholic), sophomore Anthony Ianiro (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/University School) and senior Nick Hauff (Delaware, Ohio/Hayes).
In the midfield, the Tigers return two starters in senior Ian Acker (Worthington, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) and sophomore Matt Borland (Kettering, Ohio/Alter), a first-team All-NCAC honoree and the team's leading scorer in 2005. In addition, sophomore Jimmy Thinnes (Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle) is back after appearing in all 19 games, including six starts, a year ago.
The Tigers' forward line also appears solid in 2006, anchored by a trio of returning letterwinners with extensive starting experience. Senior Jason Sucher (Louisville, Ky./duPont Manual), who started four games in 2005, has been one of the Tigers' top scorers in each of his first three collegiate seasons despite frequent injury problems. Junior Joe Zeller (Springfield, Ohio/North) is a two-year starter, and sophomore Shane Price (Minford, Ohio/Minford) is back in the fold after missing much of his freshman season due to injury. He scored four goals in 14 games, including six starts.
Rounding things out in 2006 is a strong, five-man freshman class, which includes several players expected to step into the playing rotation immediately. The Tigers must replace the midfield creativity of three-time All-NCAC honoree Sebastian Missura in particular.