ANGOLA, IND.-- This weekend, the Trine men's soccer team will travel to the northeast to open their regular-season with a pair of matches.
The Thunder open with an 10:00 a.m. Saturday at New Jersey City University. Trine will also face the College of Staten Island Monday at 10:00 a.m. The team returns seven players who started 15 matches or more last season, including the top three scorers from a year ago. Adding to the returning core is a group of nine freshman expected to compete at the varsity level. The Thunder were picked to finish eighth in the MIAA by the league's coaches in the conference preseason poll.
Midfielder Bill Wilson (Mason, Mich./Mason) is Trine's top returning offensive playmaker after leading the team in scoring last season. In his freshman campaign, Wilson contributed six goals and three assists. Forward Kenny Rappuhn (Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich) scored five goals and added an assist last season.
Returning forwards Nick Lang (Indianapolis, Ind./Cathedral), Zach Eckert (Waynesville, Ohio/Bishop Fenwick), Zach O'Brien (Metamora, Mich./Lapeer West) and Zach Rilett (Grand Rapids, Mich./Forest Hills Central) will also be counted on to produce scoring chances for the Thunder. Three freshman figure to push for playing time at forward as well.
Seniors Mac Green (Chesterton, Ind./Chesterton) and Karston Shephard (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) also return with experience at midfield. They will be joined by juniors Evan VanBelle (Edwardsburg, Mich./Edwardsburg) and Alex Timinski (Ludington, Mich./Ludington), as well as six freshman mids who will compete for playing time.
Jacob Nantz (Galesburg, Mich./Galesburg-Augusta) and David Gannon (Waterford, Mich./Mott) bring the most starting experience to Trine's defensive backfield. Veterans Zach Taranto (Avon, Ohio/Avon), Ryan Goodhew (Mason, Ohio/Mason), Chris Short (McCordsville, Ind./Pendleton Heights), JT McLain (Highland, Ill./Highland) and Kyle Barber (Olmsted Falls, Ohio/Olmsted Falls) will also figure into the mix, along with two freshmen.
Also helping in the defensive efforts will be senior goalkeeper Chris Stewart (Rochester Hills, Mich./Rochester). Stewart has started all 38 matches the last two seasons and has 10 career shutouts to his credit.
For the complete Trine men's soccer schedule, click HERE.