WALLA WALLA, Wash. -- Anxious to exorcise the demons of a disappointing season a year ago, the Whitman College men’s soccer team is eager to get its 2004 campaign underway.
Whitman struggled through a 6-13 season last fall, which included a 2-12 mark in the Northwest Conference. This year the Missionaries hope to change all that.
Under the direction of head coach Mike Washington, now in his seventh year at the helm, and second-year assistant Arne Klubberud, the team has a plan. “These guys,” Klubberud says, “have worked their tails off this summer. The team is committed off the field and on the field in a way that hasn’t gone on at this campus in years.”
Despite the loss of All-NWC First Team members Jeff Waggoner and Tyler Chisholm, Klubberud thinks this team has the poise and commitment to be successful. “We need to taste success to push us over the edge,” he says. “We need the team to buy into a program, work for each other, and make a commitment to one another in order for us to go in a positive direction. And I think we are taking those steps.”
At the forefront of upholding those core values are senior captains Brad Bowen (Bozeman, Mont.; Bozeman HS) and Brian Stater (Eugene, Ore.; Marist HS) . “We will be counting on these two for leadership this season,’ Klubberud says, “both on and off the field.”
Both players started a year ago as juniors. Bowen, a politics major now serving his second year as president of Whitman’s student government, received a prestigious Truman Foundation scholarship earlier this year to help finance his post-graduate studies. “We look for Brad to bring experience and to have a great year as a sweeper,” Klubberud says. “And Brian needs to have a great season as a stopper for us.”
Kirk Thorsen (Kirkland, Wash.; Overlake School) , a center-midfielder, figures prominently into Whitman’s fortunes this fall. Only a sophomore, Thorsen started 14 games as a freshman, scoring three goals and passing out three assists. “Kirk is our most talented player,” Klubberud says. “The offense will go through him. He needs to create chances for his teammates.”
Whitman has plenty of others ready to contribute. Bryce Andrews (Seattle, Wash.; University Prep Academy) and Harris Esarey (Walla Walla, Wash.; Walla Walla HS), both seniors, should provide a solid presence as midfielders. “Harris is the strongest player on the team,” Klubberud says. “He is good in the air, and he provides a calming presence for the rest of the team. Bryce has tremendous fitness and athleticism. He will wear out opponents.”
Eric Dottarar (Beaverton, Ore.; Catlin Gabel School) is the team’s primary goalkeeper after posting three shutouts a year ago as a junior. “We are thrilled to have Eric back,” Klubberud says. “He got better and better last season. We will be counting on him to lead our defensive unit.”
A handful of defenders who figure into the mix are freshmen Craig Yuen (Sammamish, Wash.; Skyline HS) and Vincent Rauh (Tacoma, Wash.; Stadium HS), and junior Ryan Porter (Redmond, Wash.; Inglemoor HS).
“Ryan is a hard-nosed defender looking to make his mark,” Klubberurd says. “Craig and Vincent should be major contributors to our defense. They both have high level club experience. They know what they are getting into.”
Last season’s third-leading goal scorer, sophomore Chris Dorough (Portland, Ore.; Catlin Gabel School) hopes to have a healthy season as a forward. “Chris has had to fight through some injuries the last couple years,” Klubberud says. “He needs to get fitter, but we look for him to be a major impact player this season.”
Other key players this season include two sophomores and a junior: Egan Brinkman (Alamo Calif.; Athenian School) and Daniel Beekman (Seattle, Wash.; Garfield HS), both sophomores, and junior Peter Randall (Colorado Springs, Colo.; Pine Creek HS, Macalester College). All three should see plenty of time on the field.
“Randall is an outside mid,” Klubberud says. “He is tricky with the ball and is a playmaker. He needs to get behind some defenses and create. And Egan needs to score some goals for us this year. He puts in lots of work and could be a dangerous player up front.” As for Beekman, “He needs to be a ball-winner, and he needs to be a playmaker,” Klubberud says. “He is strong and physical, a very skilled player.”
A newcomer this season and a product of Walla Walla Community College, Cole Sherman (Boise, Idaho; Boise HS, WWCC) has the coaching staff excited. “Cole is a bit of an unknown right now,” Klubberud says. “But we are very excited to have him. He knows how to play soccer, and he is very athletic.”
Ludguier Montejo (Los Angeles, Calif.; Belmont HS), who did not play last year, returns to the squad as a junior back-up goalkeeper.
The Missionaries kick off their season on Friday, Sept. 5, at Concordia University in Portland. They return home the next day for a 2 p.m. match against Northwest College. Whitman then completes its opening weekend marathon on Sunday afternoon in Spokane with a game against Lawrence University (Appleton, Wisc.). That game will take place on the Whitworth College campus.
Following three more home games, two exhibitions and a Sept. 10 date with Minnesota’s Bethel College, Whitman stays at home to opens its conference season on Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 18-19. The Missionaries play Pacific on Saturday and George Fox on Sunday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. on the Whitman Athletic Fields.
“We have some good potential for a positive conference start,” Klubberud says. “Both those matches are very winnable. We just need some early success to find our identity as a team unit.”