Cowboy Soccer Team Expects A Lot From Young Squad

Aug. 28, 2004

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons begins its second season under head coach Dan Heger and the Cowboys' although a year older still possess a young team that will be loaded with sophomores and freshmen. "We're still young," said Heger. "We only return two seniors and two juniors. We are athletic, I think we had talent come into the program. I am happy with the kids we have here. I think we are enthusiastic and work hard and have potential, but however you like at it we are still young and it will take some time to develop." The Cowboys will return to players that could push for All-American honors this season, including preseason American Southwest Conference player of the year David Salas. Just a sophomore, Salas scored 14 goals and had four assists en route to ASC West Freshman of the Year honors a year ago. "There are a lot of good players in the conference," Heger said. "But what makes David special is his talent and his work ethic. His personality is to work hard, because that is all he knows. He is tough and has good character, which are great attributes you look for in a player. He competes and physically he is a specimen." While Salas may be expected to put the goals in the opponents net, junior Ryan Shaughnessy will try to keep the opponents from scoring in his goal. He is a two-time All-ASC West selection (one year at McMurry and one at Hardin-Simmons). Last year he allowed only 12 goals in over 1500 minutes of action and knocked away 95 shots. "Shaughnessy is a great keeper," said Heger. "He has good character, the players look up to him. He's 6-5, big, works hard on his strength and can kick and throw. He has all of things you look for physically on top of that he is very smart both on the field and in the classroom." Athletic transfer Travis Boubel, redshirt freshman Jordan Ivey and talented freshman Justin Shepherd all will battle for back-up time. The defensive backfield in front of Shaughnessy is talented, but unproven. Junior Chris Carroll is in the back and provides some strong leadership. He has played up front, in the midfield and now in the back in his career. Sophomore Ricky Matthies has gotten stronger and is expected to start. Freshmen Jacob Almack and Sam Billelo bring athleticism and composure to the right outside. Cheweie Okoro is a big, fast freshman from Round Rock that is expected to play right away. "I think the freshmen in the back line are some really good players, if they continue to learn the system, we will be very solid defensively,"said Heger. The midfield will for the most part be experienced. Sophomore Nick Sager will be in the center and he played in all 19 games last season. James Balcom and Pancho Gloria are also sophomore that played a a lot as true freshmen and we will bring some experience. Two-year Kyle Rampy is on the left mid and he brings a lot of maturity to the team as one of only two seniors on the squad. He also worked hard in the weight room since last year and is bigger and stronger. Daniel Arnold is quick and fast and really brings a lot to the table he will fight for minutes. On the right outside is Trevor Elza, who has been in the program before, but sat out last year. He is a tough player that will compete. The Cowboys are deep and athletic up front. Calvin Key is a senior and is one of the strongest, if not the strongest kid, in the conference. He has worked hard on finishing and he should be a big-time scorer in his senior season. Bentley Martin, a redshirt freshman and freshman Drew Meilinger will look for some time up front. Both are good players and have different styles. RJ Flores has not played in a while, but is a strong player with some skills. Like is the case every year, there are some talented freshmen that have to adjust to the level of play and are stuck behind some upperclassmen on the depth chart. Daniel Arnold, Ben Lobaugh, Koda Freeman, Andrew Kimmel, Manuel Maldanado and Preston Butler are all players Heger sees as talented. "We have a lot of young guys on the team, freshmen guys that are talented but they have to realize that they are behind some talented older players and will not see a lot of minutes in games. There minutes are going to be in practice and if they understand that role, and continue to work hard like they have been, they have bright futures. The schedule makers did the Cowboys no favors as they play almost all of the challengers for the league title on the road. That goes along with a tough pre-conference schedule. "The travel schedule is a concern," said Heger. "We have to go way out to Mississippi and Louisiana Colleges, and we have some of the top teams on the road. UT-Tyler, UT-Dallas, Texas Lutheran, Schrenier and McMurry are all away from home. It is going to be difficult schedule, it will prepare us." The Cowboys open the season September 4-5 at the University of the South Tournament. HSU will play the University of the South and Piedmont and both are talented teams. Piedmont lost to Trinity in the second round of the NCAA Tournament a year ago. The Cowboys then will travel to play defending national champion Trinity and Southwestern the next weekend. "I like this team," said Heger. "They are big and strong and are working hard. If we continue to get better we have a shot at a good year."