2009 Men's Soccer Preview
Head
Coach Jim Brazeau is hopeful that a combination of increasing talent and
a hunger for achieving the next level will make the 2009 Pacific men’s
soccer season something to talk about.
A year before, the Boxers found themselves in the midst of the Northwest Conference title picture for much of the season, thanks in part to one of the most solid defensive backlines in the league. In the end, though, the year will be remembered not for the goals they stopped, but the ones they didn’t score. A string of three ties in the first four matches, and four ties total, kept Pacific from truly challenging for the crown.
Brazeau said that the disappointment of being so close and yet so far has given the team a great deal of motivation. “It has been a large part of what has motivated our guys in the off-season, and it is carrying over to the newcomers,” Brazeau said. “It makes you work harder when you don’t get what you want. It makes you stronger.”
The experience aspect will pay dividends for the Boxers in more ways than one. Pacific returns 18 players from the 2008 season, including key starters and role players at every position. Key anchors returning include all-conference goalkeeper Andrew Stevermer (Jr., Gillette, Wyo.), First Team All-NWC defender Brandon Porter (Sr., Canby, Ore.), dynamic midfielders Kizamu Tsutakawa (Jr., Seattle, Wash.) and Jasem Jaihouni (Jr., Portland, Ore.) and scoring threats in Mike Iacolucci (Jr., Seattle, Wash.) and Travis Birrell (Jr., Seattle, Wash.).
While Brazeau classifies the team as strong in all areas, he is most anxious about who will step up at forward and close out the scoring opportunities that limited the Boxers’ success the previous year. “We have a lot of people who like to go forward that have some ability,” Brazeau said. “We know we will be solid in the back. It’s a matter now of finding that combination going forward for us that will make the difference.”
FORWARDS
Of
particular interest is seeing who can step forward to replace the firepower
of Danny Williams, who was the team’s leading scorer over the last two
seasons and one of the top scorers in program history.
Iacolucci showed the capability of being able to step into that position last year with a flair for the dramatic. His four goals including an exciting overtime strike to secure a 3-2 overtime victory at home over Linfield. Two matches later, he struck paydirt just 16 seconds after kickoff against perennial title contender Puget Sound.
“His relentless mentality, all-out work rate and effort will hopefully result in more chances,” Brazeau said of Iacolucci, who also was credited for three assists. “He’s a year older now and seems to be relaxing more in front of the goal. This should allow him to better guarantee his chances.”
Birrell was also a critical part of the Boxers’ offense, starting 18 matches last season as, in essence, the Boxers’ third forward. He came alive for three goals, including the game-winner in a key victory over No. 18 ranked Whitworth.
Ruma Perez (Jr., Hillsboro, Ore.) comes to Pacific with a rich soccer resume and could give the Boxers a different look moving forward. Perez spent the last two seasons at Whatcom CC in Washington after leading his 2006 Hillsboro High School team to a state title. While in the junior college ranks, Perez helped lead Whatcom to a pair of divisional titles and two NWAACC playoff appearances.
MIDFIELDERS
Pacific will have its most depth in the middle of the pitch with 12 players
rostered at midfield, including five who saw starts during the 2008 season.
Tsutakawa earned starts in all 20 matches last year thanks to his size
and creating ability on the wing. Tsutakawa notched two goals and two assists
as a sophomore, with both of his goals being game-winners.
Jaihouni scored one goal and had two assists as a sophomore and has worked hard in the off-season to better his ability. “J.J. has brought more of a physical element to his game than he has the last two years, which will enhance his ability to compete on a regular basis,” Brazeau said.
Kevin Fujimoto (Sr., Honolulu, Hawaii) started eight matches for the Boxers last year and will have a lot of weight on his shoulders as one of just two seniors on the roster. Fujimoto scored two goals, including the game-winner in an early non-conference tilt against La Verne. “We expect him to give us a lot of option moving forward from the wide spot,” Brazeau said.
Sean Mills (Jr., Seattle, Wash.), Mike Kawajiri (Jr., Honolulu, Hawaii) and Patrick Murray (So., Hillsboro, Ore.) all add depth and experience. Mills played in 19 matches while splitting time between forward and midfield, while Murray made six starts as a central midfielder. Kawajiri saw limited action in 17 matches.
Among the newcomers, Kody Ganiko (Fr., Makawao, Hawaii) brings a great deal of experience and potential to the program. Ganiko was a four-time first team all-conference selection while a high school player in Hawaii.
DEFENDERS
While
the defense ranks as the strongest part of the Pacific roster, it is still
to be determined if this year’s edition will be better than last year’s.
The Boxers lose two key elements to the backline with the departure of
Anthony Jaeger and Jared Komo, but return a corps of five talented performers,
led by all-conference standout Porter.
“The preseason answer to strength may be ‘no’ from a personnel standpoint,” Brazeau said, “but the people we have coming in are better soccer players overall. I think that everyone being a year older makes a difference.”
Porter returns as the central player in the defensive scheme. Recognized for first team honors by conference coaches, Porter’s physicality and height pay dividends for 16 matches before a knee injury truncated the season. He returns in 2009 stronger and hungrier.
Avery Neal (Jr., Los Alamos, N.M.) will play alongside Porter in the central defense. A talented two-sport performer who specialized in the decathlon during the track season, Neal is by far the quickest player on the roster. “Avery covers a lot of ground and gives is a lot of mobility in the back,” Brazeau said.
Taylor Kane (So., Portland, Ore.) will remain key to the Boxers’ backline after starting all 20 matches his freshman season, thanks to his speed and mobility. Jack Wickward (So., Portland, Ore.) and Murray also give the Boxers a umber of versatile parts to create different looks.
The returners will be bolstered by a daunting physical presence in Devin Shull (Fr., Lake Forest Park, Wash.). The tallest player in the league at 6-foot-7, Shull helped lead his team to the Washington state championship with a 22-1 record.
GOALKEEPERS
The
Boxers’ most dominant presence will continue to be in goal. Stevermer earned
Second Team All-NWC honors after amassing a 0.96 goals against average
in 2008, the lowest of any regular starting goalkeeper and the fourth lowest
of any season in school history. He also finished the season ranked second
in the league in save percentage and third in total saves, turning away
92 shots.
Stevermer’s success is all about size, according to Brazeau. “For a big man, he is very quick and very athletic,” Brazeau said. “He takes away a lot of opportunities because of his size.”
Chris Grasso (Jr., Las Vegas, Nev.) continues to provide great depth and talent to the roster. Grasso played in four matches and made two starts in place of Stevermer, allowing just two goals in 219 minutes.