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A year removed from the best season in Wittenberg men's soccer program history, a new-look Tiger team is hoping for an encore in 2009. Despite significant personnel losses due to graduation, including two-time North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) Offensive Player of the Year Matt Borland and leading scorer Shane Price, a young but talented squad hopes to build off last year's NCAA Division III Tournament appearance.
The 2009 edition of the Wittenberg men's soccer team turns offensively to second-team All-NCAC forward Brian Glenn (Lewis Center, Ohio/Olentangy)to spearhead the Tiger offense. Glenn finished tied for second on the team with eight goals, including a pair of game-winners. The rest of the faces in the attacking third are likely to be relative newcomers, including juniors Tom Fisher (Ridgefield, Conn./Ridgefield) and Robbie Farquhar (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley) and sophomoreStefan Latham (Springfield, Ohio/Catholic Central). Fisher and Farquhar have played well in limited time the last two years, while Latham played at North Park University in 2008.
Similarly youthful in the defensive third, the back four will turn to senior Michael Condon (Powell, Ohio/Watterson) for leadership. Condon added a goal and an assist while helping the defense hold opponents to 26 goals in 21 games in 2008, his third year as a starter. Junior Merrick Austin (Westerville, Ohio/Central), who started 12 games in 2008, and junior Spencer Hogue (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome), who missed last season due to injury, are among the top contenders for playing time alongside Condon.
Importantly, the Tigers return sophomore goalkeeper Michael Lambeck (Dublin, Ohio/Coffman), who made 76 saves while playing more than 1,800 minutes between the pipes in his inaugural collegiate campaign. He continues to be ably backed by sophomore Steven Fitzpatrick (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson), who logged 120 minutes in goal in 2008.
With so many spots vacant from last year's rotation, other underclassmen likely to get their chances include sophomore midfielders Daniel Broidy (Bexley, Ohio/Bexley), Mohamed Mansaray (Old Bridge, NJ/Old Bridge), Steven Fitzpatrick (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson), Brian Hertzog (Champaign, Ill./Centennial)and Declan McBride (Surrey, England/Tasis) and junior Nate Ayres (Hilliard, Ohio/Davidson). In addition, the Tigers welcomed a solid 10-man recruiting class, from which several key players are likely to emerge.
As usual, a challenging schedule awaits the Tigers in 2009, starting Sept. 1 with perennial regional powerhouse Wilmington at home. Other non-conference highlights include matches against 2008 NCAA Division III Tournament participants Ohio Northern and Calvin. The Red & White enters NCAC play Saturday, Sept. 26 against Allegheny.