2011 Men's Soccer Preview

With the return of 12 letterwinners and the addition of 19 new players to the roster, the Olivet College men's soccer team has aspirations of winning its first-ever Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Championship in 2011.

Under the leadership of third-year Head Coach Chad Wiseman, the Comets posted back-to-back winning seasons with a 12-7-1 record last year and 13-6-1 record in 2009. A winning record in 2011 will give Olivet three straight winning seasons for the first time in school history.

Junior Matt Garza (Saline), a two-time first-team All-MIAA performer and 2010 All-Central region selection, leads a talented group of midfielders. He has started 38-of-39 games played at Olivet, and has 23 points (six goals and 11 assists).

"Matt is a very talented player," said Wiseman. "The other coaches in the MIAA have noticed how much of a threat he is."

Senior Ross Cutler (Ann Arbor/Pioneer) and sophomores Alex Alvarez (Eastpointe/East Detroit), Connor Plagens (South Lyon), Fred Smyser (Grand Rapids/Forest Hills Eastern) and Adam Wright (Wixom/Walled Lake Western) are all going to battle each other for playing time. Alvarez, Smyser and Wright combined to score 22 points last year in their rookie seasons. Plagens had only one goal, but it was the game-winner in double overtime at Hope College. Smyser has been selected as a team captain.

"I am expecting our sophomore midfielders to have a breakout season," Wiseman said. "Each one plays at an extremely high level."

Junior Dalton Guggemos (Laingsburg) is the only returning forward. Last year, he saw action in all 20 games, with two starts and one assist. Someone from the recruiting class is going to have to step up and battle Guggemos for playing time.

Juniors Cole Dehen (Kentwood/East Kentwood) and Jake Jensen (Vicksburg) are expected to lead the back line. Despite battling through injuries throughout last season, each managed to play in 15 games and score the only goal in 1-0 Olivet wins. Dehen, who is the other captain this season, scored the only goal against Marygrove College, while Jensen's goal was at Defiance (Ohio) College. Also look for sophomores David Bahling (Farmington) and Zach Piotrowski (Jackson/ Lumen Christi) to get opportunities to play on defense.

"One of our strengths the last two years has been our defense," said Wiseman. "I am expecting that trend to continue this year."

The biggest question entering the season is who will be the starting goalkeeper following the graduation of four-year starter Ethan Felsing. Junior Sam Cusmano (Haslett) has been Felsing's understudy for the last two years, and will be given a chance to play there. In a limited role over the last two years, Cusmano has appeared in five games, allowed three goals and made 15 saves.

Cusmano will be challenged by freshmen Alex Lang (West Bloomfield/Detroit Catholic Central) and Matt Van Houten (Northville). Lang earned All-State honors from the Michigan High School Soccer Coaches Association (MHSSCA).

"Whoever our goalkeeper ends up being, he is going to have some huge shoes to fill," said Wiseman. "Ethan was not only one of the best keepers in the MIAA but also the region. Not only was he a great keeper, but even more, he was a great leader for our team."

Transfers Andrew Green (Pompano, Fla.), Danny Phillips (Toronto, Ontario/St. Peter's Secondary) and Corben Titus (Commerce Twp./Walled Lake Central) are all expected to help out on the back line. Also look for freshmen John Leutzinger (Washington/Warren De La Salle) and Evan Simpson (Washington/Romeo) to contribute. Freshmen Camden Iwasko (Livonia/Stevenson) and Jon Puente (Kalamazoo/Galesburg Augusta) are going to get an opportunity to play in the midfield. Puente was a first-team All-MHSSCA selection.

Freshmen Esteban Russell (DeWitt) and Corey Shean (Mattawan) are going to add depth at the forward position. Russell was the Lansing State Journal Player of the Year and also earned first-team All-MHSSCA honors.

"This year's recruiting class is my best one," Wiseman said. "Many of them have the potential to be solid players during their time at Olivet. They have proven themselves in the high school ranks and also at the club level, but I am looking forward to seeing how they can transfer their skills to the collegiate game."

Olivet opens the 2011 season Thursday, Sept. 1, when it travels to play Anderson (Ind.) University at 5 p.m. For the first time in recent history, the Comets will play a home and away game against each of the seven MIAA schools with the top four teams advancing to the conference tournament. The tournament champion will receive the conference's automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division III National Championships. Olivet opens MIAA play Sept. 13 when it hosts Kalamazoo College at 4 p.m.