Men's Soccer: 2010 season recap
The University of Dallas men's soccer team ended their 2010-11 season with a 7-10 record, and are now 184-210-26 all-time. Head coach David Hoffmann has led the Crusaders to an 86-49-9 record in his tenure at Dallas.
The team had an ebb and flow season, going .500 in their first four matches, before entering a stretch of schedule which saw a five game skid. Dallas, however, responded resiliently in the month of October, with three shutout victories from sophomore goalkeeper Sam Carter (Chicago, Ill.).
Dallas added seven freshmen to their lineup in 2010-11, including midfielder Adam Kaftan (Omaha, Neb./Creighton Prep), who started in 16 of the 17 matches. Kaftan scored the Crusaders' first goal of the season, which proved to be his only score.
Other freshmen to start were defender Braden Sanchez (Edmond, Okla./Edmond Memorial H.S.), midfielder John Owen (Mount Jackson, Va./St. Gregory's Academy), and goalkeeper Anthony Zaragoza (El Paso, Texas/Franklin City H.S.), who saw his season end prematurely with a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). The class of 2014 totaled three goals and four assists. Their experience as freshmen will undoubtedly prove invaluable heading forward.
The freshmen weren't the only producers, however, as heralded seniors anchored the squad. Senior co-captain midfielder/forward Ryan Meske (Niwot, Colo./Niwot H.S.) scored ten goals, three of which proved to be game-winners. Meske had 23 points on the season, and has solidified himself in the Dallas record books. He is now entrenched as fourth all-time in goals (32) and games played (75), sixth in assists (22), and fifth in points (86) for the Crusaders. Co-captain defender Kurtis Baker (Roanoke, Texas/Northwest H.S.), another noteworthy senior, started every game along with Meske. Baker ranks third all-time in games played (76).
Crusaders graduating include Meske, Baker, midfielder/defender Sam Sheetz (Alexandria, Va./Bishop Denis J. O'Connell H.S.), midfielder Rafael Hernandez (Dallas, Texas/Jesuit College Prep), midfielder/forward Phil Conley (Palatine, Ill./Palatine H.S.), midfielder Robert Ospina (Irving, Texas/Home School), and goalkeeper Matt Spenla.
Now in off-season mode, the Crusaders have began prepping for their highly anticipated 2011-12 campaign, as they will participate for the first time as members of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC). Many of the players are adding strength in the weight room, in addition to refining their skills on the soccer field.
Dallas should boast a strong defensive attack in 2011-12, as Joey Killion (Katy, Texas/Katy H.S), Blaise Dufrain (Manassas, Va./Seton Home School), and Preston Waltrip (Derby, Kan./Derby H.S.) return. On the offensive side of the ball, look for the dynamic sophomore Amir Nail (Houston, Texas/St. Pius X H.S) to have a greater role.
2010-11 Men's Soccer Awards:
Most Valuable Player
- Ryan Meske
United States Collegiate Athletic Association All-America
- Ryan Meske (Honorable Mention)
- Joey Killion (Honorable Mention)
Association of Division III Independents (Player of the Week)
- Ryan Meske - Sept. 13
- Amir Nail - Sept. 20
- Ryan Meske - Oct. 4
- Ryan Meske - Oct. 11
- Sam Carter - Oct. 25
- Ryan Meske - Nov. 1
United States Collegiate Athletic Association (Player of the Week)
- Ryan Meske - Sept. 14 (Co-Player of the Week)
- Sam Carter - Oct. 26 (Goalie of the Week)