The Dayes Era Begins: Men's Soccer Set To Make C-USA Run In 2001

The Dayes Era Begins: Men's Soccer Set To Make C-USA Run In 2001

8/3/2001

The University of Cincinnati men?s soccer team enters the 2001 season with a new coach and an attainable high goal.

The new mentor is Hylton Dayes, who brings a wealth of experience as a major college player and coach.

The goal is to build upon the success of recent Cincinnati teams, which over the past five seasons have won 43 matches, defeated five nationally-ranked opponents, cracked into the top 25 rankings and advanced to NCAA championship play.

The Bearcats return five starters, including three of last year?s top five scorers to help reach this goal. A highly-regarded freshman class joins Cincinnati?s core of veterans.

?This year will be a combination of what this team is capable of and my coaching philosophy,? Dayes said. ?Certainly we want to play strong defensively, as well as possess the ball. We also want to give our players some freedom offensively to create goal scoring opportunities. Preseason will be critical for us as far as building this team for the 2001 season.?

Lyons Solidifies the Midfield

Junior Scott Lyons, a starter at central midfield for the past two seasons, will front a returning midfield that accounted for 21 points in 2000. Lyons will be joined by sophomores Tim Brown and Brad Woods.

Lyons is the top returning scorer after leading the squad in assists with five to go with his three goals. He has the talent and experience to set an example and solidify this young team in the middle of the field.

Brown, who started every match as a freshman last season, brings international experience to the program. After finishing the 2000 campaign with three assists, Brown traveled home to New Zealand to join the under-20 national team and saw action in three matches. A deft and skillful passer, he is also the primary server on free and corner kicks.

?Obviously our midfield play will be very important to our success,? Dayes said. ?Scott Lyons with the help of Tim Brown will play key roles in the midfield this season."

Woods turned in solid freshman campaign and will battle for a starting spot. He scored his first career goal off the bench in a win over Cal.

The midfield is bolstered by the return of senior Sean Conner and the addition of four talented newcomers. Conner, a former walk-on, had an impressive spring season and will battle for a starting role. Freshmen Devon Cannon, Josh Gardner, John Liersemann and junior Justin Dobbs possess the talent and skills to contribute early.

Cedergren Leads Team from the Backline

The defense will play a crucial role in the scheme of the 2001 Bearcats. Anders Cedergren has the ability to be a vocal leader as well as leading by example and effort.

The junior started all 19 matches last season, scoring two match-winning goals from the backline.

The defense will need to reload after losing five seniors. Junior Brandon Dobbs and sophomore Josh Koch will help pick up the slack in their second year with the program.

Dobbs, a former walk-on, saw action in nine contests with one start last season. He recorded two assists out of the back, including one game-winner against No. 18 Ohio State.

Koch, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, showed he was back at full strength with a successful performance in spring practice. He has proven himself on the club and high school levels.

The defense will also benefit from the additions of freshmen Adam Frye and Jonathan Stinson, both all-state prep performers, and walk-ons Andy Barton and Tom Weable.

Gallegos Returns at Forward

Sophomore Jeremiah Gallegos will lead the charge up front after finishing third on the squad in scoring last fall. A shifty playmaker who can change the momentum of a match with one possession, Gallegos tallied four goals in 2000, including the match-winner against Wisconsin.

?Gallegos will be a big part of what we want to do offensively,? Dayes said. ?He demonstrated what he could do last season and this year we hope he can do the same and add to it.?

Shane Curran, who sat out last season after transferring from High Point University, showed ample offensive production at his former school. He amassed 26 goals and 15 assists in three seasons with the Panthers.

Newcomers Wiremu Patrick, Jarrett Devereaux and Matt Hayden are expected to be impact performers.

Patrick played with Brown on the New Zealand U20 national team last spring. A proven goal scorerl, he has experience in the Bearcat system, having participated in spring training.

Devereaux will be counted upon to produce immediately. A quick, versatile player, he earned first team all-state honors as a senior.

Hayden, also an all-state prep player, further strengthens the front line.

Goalkeeper Well-Stocked

Sophomore Sacha Nathu will attempt to keep the starting goalkeeper position he held in 2000. A C-USA All-Freshman team selection, Nathu recorded 62 saves and a 1.49 GAA last season.

He is a very athletic and aggressive keep who also has experience on the national level with the New Zealand junior national team.

Challenging Nathu for the starting role will be senior Derek Moore and sophomore John Adams.

Moore transferred to UC from Cal Poly where he had a mark of 6-5-1 his last season on the squad. He saw action in one game last year, earning one save. Adams, a consistent performer with solid hands and quickness off the line, will provide depth to the position.