General Information:
School: Bethel University
Founded: 1947
Location: St. Paul, Minn.
Enrollment: 6,200 (2,900 undergrad)
President: Jay Barnes
Athletic Director: Bob Bjorklund
Team Nickname: Royals
Colors: Navy Blue and Vegas Gold
Stadium: Ona Orth Athletic Complex
2009 Record:
Overall Record: 10-6-2
MIAC Record: 4-4-2 / 7th
Key losses:
Matt Vanbenschoten
Eric Johnson
Key Returners:
Brandon Peplinski - All-MIAC Honorable Mention - 6 goals, 3 assists
Andreas Scott - All-MIAC - 8 goals, 11 assists
Season Outlook:
Bethel’s men’s soccer team takes to the field in 2010 under new leadership, but the goal of a MIAC playoff berth and commitment to living and playing in “bold faith” remain the same. Last season, the Royals showed the conference that there was new blood and new life in the program by posting a 10-6-2 overall and 4-4-2 conference record. Beginning with a win over St. Thomas in the waning minutes of regulation, followed by a dramatic overtime win against Macalester – two perennial playoff teams they had not beaten in more than 10 years – the Royals turned heads and earned their highest MIAC finish in five seasons. Now, entering a new season, expectations have been raised, and the Royals have taken aim at reaching new heights.
With the largest senior class in more than a decade, the Royals are mixture of strong young talent and seasoned veterans who know what it takes to compete in one of the nations toughest conferences for men’s soccer. Key returners include All-MIAC forward Andreas Scott (Sr., Cedar, Minn.), two-time All-MIAC Honorable Mention forward Brandon Peplinski (Sr., Maple Grove, Minn.), as well as Kirk Darling (Sr., Portage, Mich.), Christopher Dirks (Sr., Excelsior, Minn.), Zach Hurd (Sr., Portage, Mich.), and Greg “Twiggy” LeVere (Sr., Forth Worth, Texas).
OFFENSE
The Royals return a majority of their offensive firepower from a year ago, including Scott and Peplinski who accounted for nearly a third of Bethel’s total goals last season. Scott put together his best season to date with eight goals and 11 assists for 27 points, for which he was awarded all-conference honors. He now has 56 career points, which ranks fifth on Bethel’s all-time list. Meanwhile, Peplinski scored six goals, including the game-winner against St. Thomas, and had three assists for 15 points. Joining them in the attack are LeVere, David Swenson (Sr., Blaine, Minn.), and Brian Holm (So., Champlin, Minn.), who’s overtime goal against Macalester ended a 15-year slump against the Scots and sent the Bethel contingent on hand at the Ona Orth Complex into a frenzy.
DEFENSE
Darling, Dirks, and Hurd make up a potent backfield for the Royals, and the three have helped Bethel cut the number of goals scored by the opposition in half from the 2007 season. By cutting off passing lanes and playing smart soccer, the Royals defense has been able to not only minimize scoring opportunities, but also return the ball to the offense to establish ball control and create shots on the other end of the field. David Kim (So., Blaine, Minn.) and Nate Manthey (Jr., Rochester, Minn.) look to bolster the defense with their speed and athleticism.
GOALIE
Last season, Nick Kantor provided the Royals with excellent leadership in front of the net and earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention for his efforts, which included four solo shutouts and two combined shutouts. This season, two familiar faces that have put in their time will battle it out for the starting position between the pipes. Leif Sundberg (Jr., Mahtomedi, Minn.) and Erik Sorensen (Jr., Park Ridge, Ill.) will be responsible for guarding the back of the net after two years of providing backup for Kantor.
A majority of this year’s senior class have gone through a trial by fire to help the Royals turn into a team capable of competing with anyone in the conference. Their battle-tested leadership and experience will become the cornerstone on which the 2010 season is built.
“I’m excited to see what this team can do,” said Head Coach Ryan Servaty. “It takes an entire team to perform the turnaround Bethel has had in the last couple of years, and these guys have been through so much together. Now is the time for them to step up and show the younger guys how to compete in order to keep Bethel a strong soccer program for seasons to come.”
