Cowboys Look For Third Straight ASC Title

Aug. 28, 2007

Hardin-Simmons has established itself as one of the top soccer programs in the American Southwest Conference, winning six of the league's 11 conference titles, including the last two. Some don't think the Cowboys have the ability to win its third straight, but fifth-year head coach isn't buying the public perception.

"We have a young team, but they understand the expectations and they are serious about upholding the tradition of this program," said Heger. "We have a very good team that has a lot of parts that people may have overlooked because of what we have been like with David (Salas). You wouldn't be very smart if you didn't run the offense through him. People don't realize we won the conference title with six freshmen starting last year."

Heger is talking about graduated ASC player of the year David Salas. The Cowboys offense has run through him the last three years and there was no question where the ball was going and everyone in the stadium knew it. He scored with two and three people on him throughout his career and teams sold out to stop him.

"We will have more of a team effort this year," said Heger. "We have weapons all over the field. I don't see anybody that is going to score 15 goals, but we have seven or eight guys that are threats to score goals." HSU will be more of a possession team this year that will concentrate on its build up. The Cowboys have to be good decision makers.

Ryan Flanigan, a fifth-year senior for the Cowboys, will take over as the forward. He is a big and strong presence that has played in the midfield. "Flany can strike with power and he is great in the air," said Heger. "He is a tough player that has made the progression to team leader. He will be a major force for us."

Sophomore Cody Oswald, a big physical finisher that started 14 games as a freshman, will also see plenty of time in the forward spot.

Sophomore Jorge Vega will be the Cowboys' attacking midfielder. He has a great offensive skill set and is a creative finisher.

Sophomore Colin McDaniel and freshman Chris O'Brien will be the Cowboys' holding midfielders.

"Colin is a great distributor and he has good speed and plays smart," said Heger. "When you team him with Chris O'Brien, who is a strong tackler and aggressive in the air we should be very good in the midfield."

The outside midfielders will be a pair of veterans in senior Colt McKee and junior Keal Rasavage. McKee was third on the team in scoring last year and he is a great offensive player and underrated as a defender. Rasavage has quick feet and can get behind the defense.

HSU has always set itself apart by what its defensive backfield does.

Sophomore Grant Woods will play the right back position and he is a good decision maker with good speed. The left back will be freshman Jeff Schultz, another composed fast player. He has played for the Lone Star soccer club and is very mature for his age.

Patrick Almond will play one of the center back positions. He is a junior transfer that has played at Messiah College and Incarnate Word. He is the leader of the backline and is physically strong.

The other center back is a position that is up for grabs between three newcomers - Travis Rosenblatt, Zach Krawulski and John Byrom. All three bring different skills and will all three play significant minutes.

"I think our backline will be a strength of the team," said Heger. "We are big and physical back there and we also have some smart mature players that will get us out of bad situations."

That backline will play in front of Justin Shepherd, who is back at HSU after two seasons at Colorado State-Pueblo. He is backed up by Ethan Carver and Jason Mercer.

"This will be Justin's first year as our starter, and he will be as good as the backline in front of him. It is a total team effort if we get stops or if we give up a goal.

Other players that will see significant playing time are Roberto Martinez at the left mid fielder spot and Estevan Abraiza, who started as a freshman. He will miss the first month of the season, but will make a huge impact on the team when he returns from a broken foot suffered in the summer. Freshman Travis Simon will also see time at midfielder.

Freshman Michael Aguilar could see some time at right back and junior Andre Newcome is fighting for time at left back. He is a big physical player with experience. Josh Tomko is a freshman that will see time at outside midfielder.

Five players that Heger is looking to develop for the future, but probably will not play a lot this season are Vibul Hun, Jeff Ridley, Manuel Cordova, Austin Rayzor and Adam Tovar.

"We are going to be a very good team," said Heger. "This team is as focused as any I have ever had. They are putting all of the extra work in. I think this team can play dominate soccer at impose its will on opponents and we have not had that all over the field since I have been here.

"We are going to be young and with that there will be some mistakes early, but if we stay together and overcome that early youthful adversity, we will be a force the closer we get to the playoffs."