Athletics Headlines: 2008 Men's Soccer Preview

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August 20, 2008

2008 Men's Soccer Preview

The 2008 Missouri Baptist University men's soccer team has set its sights high this year. "I expect good things from this team," said second year MBU Head Coach Deno Merrick.

Those good things could possibly include an American Midwest Conference Championship and even a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. According to Coach Merrick, those goals are realistic for the team that went 4-3 in the AMC in 2007 to finish fifth, (9-10-1 overall).

The reason for Coach Merrick's confidence is three-fold. According to Coach Merrick, the genuine comraderie of the players and their commitment to each other could be their biggest strength. That is something coaches usually only hope for, but cannot create. Add to that the most quality depth the team has seen in the last couple years, and you have a recipe for success.

A large part of that depth comes from returning senior forward Brock Chatman. In addition to being named First Team All-Conference, Chatman led the Spartans in every offensive statistical category in 2007. Other key returners include junior midfielder Nyron Orr (Honorable Mention All-Conference), senior defender Kegan Mills (Honorable Mention All-Conference), and junior forward Saul Bush.

Adding to the team's depth this year are newcomers Naser Mustafic, a freshman midfielder from Mehlville High School, Damian Bower, a freshman defender from Poplar Bluff High School, and Karl Russell, a defender from Dublin, Ireland who was a red shirt for the Spartans last season.

Though the Spartans suffered a 3-0 loss to Jefferson College in their first and only exhibition of the season, Coach Merrick remains hopeful for the season. "We created a lot of chances, but just didn't finish," Merrick said of the teams outing.

The Spartans will open their season on August 30th at Missouri Valley College (Marshall, Mo.) The Spartans should mach up well against the Vikings. MBU defeated MVC 1-0 in 2007, and looks to start their succesful 2008 campaign with another victory this season.