Men's Soccer News Releases
Rams look to climb conference standings with nine returning starters
MOUNT VERNON - Cornell College's first-year head men's soccer coach Derek Bell believes the Rams can make a move up the Iowa Conference standings this fall.
Bell inherits the core group from last year's young squad that finished 3-13 overall and tied for eighth place in the IIAC with a 1-7 mark. The Rams bring back 13 letterwinners and nine starters, led by honorable mention all-IIAC forward Kobina Essandoh (Worcester, Mass./Presec).
The Rams field one of their largest teams in years with 29 players, including 14 newcomers to the program. Bell likes the mix of experience and youth his team will put on the field in 2009.
"Our guys have a lot of positive energy," said Bell, who spent the past two seasons as the women's top assistant at UW-Stevens Point, where he was part of consecutive berths in the NCAA Division III Sweet 16. "I am pleased with our team depth, which breeds healthy competition for roster spots."
Essandoh, a two-year starter, is the team's top returning scorer with 17 points a year ago. The junior booted a team-high eight goals with one assist. The Rams also bring back scoring production from junior Sungeun Kim (Kathmandu, Nepal/Lincoln) and senior Bobby Boughton (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnehaha Academy). Kim ranked third on the team with eight points and Boughton netted six.
Also back with starting experience are senior defenders Ryan Walden (Edina, Minn./Edina) and Kyle Roberts (Appleton, Wis./Kimberly), junior midfielder Tyler Gough (Mill Valley, Calif./Laurel Springs), sophomore defenders Andrew Barksdale (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) and Michael Morris (Waukee/Waukee) and sophomore forward Julian Peota (Minneapolis, Minn./Southwest). Roberts and Boughton are both three-year letterwinners.
Gough was the Rams' regular goalkeeper last season, notching 95 saves. His switch to the midfield leaves the goalie position open between freshmen Ben Folan (Chicago, Ill./Kenwood Academy) and Ben Alleva (Cary, Ill./Cary-Grove).
Cornell plays three of its first four matches at home, including the season opener Wednesday, Sept. 2 against Mount Mercy. The Rams travel to Beloit (Wis.) Sept. 5 before returning home for dates with Iowa Wesleyan Sept. 8 and MacMurray Sept. 12. The IIAC opener is Sept. 26 at rival Coe.
Loras, a three-time defending league champion and two-time national semifinalist, is the unanimous pick in the preseason coaches' poll to win the 2009 IIAC title. Wartburg is tabbed second, followed by Central and Luther rounding out the top four. Cornell is picked ninth, one vote behind Buena Vista.
"Pressed by the leadership of our returnees and the energy of our new guys, I think we can make an impact in the conference this year," Bell said. "I really look forward to the season."
