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Battlers Drop Season Debut to Cal PA

The Alderson-Broaddus College Men's Soccer team dropped their 2009 season debut by a score of 5-3 to the Vulcans of California University of PA.

The Battlers would race out to a 2-1 halftime lead on a pair of goals by reigning WVIAC freshmen of the year Chris Doran. Doran would score the first goal of the season as he would bend in the right -footed corner kick into the far side netting. Chris would get his second on a penalty kick in the 43rd minute after Mike Wilson was taken down in the box.

Just 56 seconds into the second frame Wilson would push the lead to 3-1 after finishing a great feed by Michael McDermott.

However, the tone of the game would change quickly as CalPA would score four unanswered goals to put the game out of reach. Justin Taucher would start the comeback with a rebound goal in the 54th minute. Felippe Souza would knot the game at three each just two minutes later on a volley in the 56th minute. Mike Luecke would net the game winner as he would slot a ball just inside the left post in 71st minute on a ball from Taucher. Taucher would cap off the scoring in the 75th minute on a shot to the far post off a cross from Souza.

A-B College will return to action next Wednesday as they play host to the University of Charleston. Kick off is at 5pm.

Box Score

A-B, Wesleyan Tied at the Top in WVIAC Pre-Season Poll

A-B, WVWC Lead Bunched Field Into Wide Open 2009 WVIAC Men's Soccer Race

as reported on www.wviac.org
8/19/2009

(PRINCETON, W.Va.)---If the annual preseason coaches' poll is any indication, the 2009 WVIAC men's soccer race could be a wide-open affair.  Alderson-Broaddus and West Virginia Wesleyan share the top position in the poll, but a pack of other contenders are expected to be on the heels of the Battlers and Bobcats.

A-B and WVWC each notched three first place nods in the voting, while third place Davis & Elkins grabbed a pair of picks for the top spot.  Wheeling Jesuit is fourth and fifth place Ohio Valley garnered the final first place vote.  Charleston, Seton Hill, Pitt Johnstown, Shepherd, and Concord round out the sixth through tenth positions.  Salem International is not eligible for the 2009 WVIAC men's soccer championship.

Alderson-Broaddus (11-9-1, 7-2-1) saved their best efforts for late in the 2008 campaign as the Battlers posted victories over rivals Davis & Elkins and West Virginia Wesleyan to claim a WVIAC Tournament crown.  Midfielder Chris Doran was last season's WVIAC Freshman of the Year.  Head coach Ned Kelly's club should continue to be strong in the midfield with the return of senior Mike Wilson and junior Kevin Lake.  Neil Wright-Elliot posted a 1.46 goals against mark in 2008.

West Virginia Wesleyan (11-8-2, 7-1-2) captured the WVIAC regular season title for the 18th time in the tradition-rich program's history last season.  Head coach Gavin Donaldson's crew must replace three first team All-WVIAC picks, but should remain in contention.  Andrew Baldasare, who notched a 0.78 goals against average to earn first team All-WVIAC honors in 2007, is back in goal.  Senior defender Abe Levin-Nielsen was a third team all-region pick a year ago.

A familiar face will be on the sidelines at Davis & Elkins (12-7-3, 6-2-2) as Dr. Greg Myers begins his second stint at D&E.  Myers led the Senators to NAIA national titles in 1968 and 1970 before moving to the professional ranks and a long tenure at Division I Navy.  Senior midfielder Parker Kwafo, a first team All-WVIAC honoree, leads the Senators.  Seniors James Kpainay and Brett Keatley look to forge the foundation for a strong defense corps.

Wheeling Jesuit (9-10-1, 6-4) saw seven seniors graduate and also suffered the transfer of all-conference defender Gary Newson.  Juniors Eliot Smith (1.68 gaa) and Nik Balzer (team-high 7 goals) will pace veteran head coach Jim Regan's Cardinals in 2009.

Ohio Valley (9-8-4, 5-4-1) enjoyed the program's most successful season as an NCAA member in 2008 and head coach Dan Lyons has high hopes for this edition of the Figthting Scots with seven returning starters.  Junior Roberto Jofra notched seven goals and four assists last season to earn second team All-WVIAC honors, as did forward Nick Pecarski.  Goalkeeper Spencer Widlicka posted four shutouts during league play.

Charleston (4-11-2, 3-5-2) showed signs of life during 2008 after the once-proud program fell on hard times that included a 33-match winless streak.  Second-year head coach Chad Duernberger welcomes back nine regulars, including leading scorer Dion Peters (7 goals, 6 assists).

Seton Hill (9-9-2, 4-5-1) looks to climb into the league's top half behind nine returning starters.  Seniors Garrett Fishaw (M), Mike Oliver (F), and Mike Pistenis (D) provide head coach Dan McCarty with an experienced foundation.

Pitt Johnstown (10-9-1, 5-4-1) has reached the WVIAC Tournament semifinals in the past two seasons, but Eric Kinsey's Mountain Cats was bitten by the graduation bug with six departed starters.  Goalkeeper Craig Neff whitewashed eight foes last fall and will lead a young squad that includes thirteen newcomers.

Shepherd (8-8, 5-5) will rely on all-region selection Jeffers Frazier, who ranked fourth in the WVIAC last season with nine goals.  Defender Jeff Sandusky, who grabbed honorable mention All-WVIAC honors in 2008, is among five returning starters for head coach Johnathan Thayil.

Concord (5-12, 2-8) should still remain among the league's youngest squads as the Mountain Lions enter year two of the program's rebirth.  Junior forward Varney Vincent was an honorable mention All-WVIAC pick a year ago.

Salem International (0-11, 0-10) hopes to break into the win column behind talented goalkeeper Leonardo Tillemont.  Zac Shepherd and Michael Velasquez are among the other top returnees for the Tigers.

The WVIAC men's soccer regular season kicks off with four schools in action on Thursday, August 27.  The top six squads in the final conference standings will qualify for the November 3-7 WVIAC Tournament that is contested on the home pitches of highest seeds.

The complete 2009 WVIAC men's coaches' preseason poll follows:

Pos.     School (1st place votes)     2008 W-L             Pts.
t1.     Alderson-Broaddus (3)      11-9-1, 7-2-1        79
t1.     West Virginia Wesleyan (3)    11-8-2, 7-1-2        79
3.      Davis & Elkins (2)                  12-7-3, 6-2-2        73
4.      Wheeling Jesuit                      9-10-1, 6-4           56
5.      Ohio Valley (1)                      9-8-4, 5-4-1          47
6.     Charleston                             4-11-2, 3-5-2        41
7.     Seton Hill                               9-9-2, 4-5-1          36
8.     Pitt Johnstown                      10-9-1, 5-4-1         32
9.     Shepherd                               8-8, 5-5                29
10.     Concord                              5-12, 2-8              23
Note: Salem International is not eligible for the 2009 WVIAC men's soccer title.

Battlers Down WVWC 2-1; Win WVIAC Crown

By Michelle Duckworth

After wrapping up a solid WVIAC campaign that included a big win over nationally-ranked Davis and Elkins College, the Battler soccer team earned a bye in the conference tournament, as well as the opportunity to host a semifinal contest.  Despite things falling into place for Coach Dan Kelly’s team, he and his guys all knew that it would be a tough road to the championship.

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9/24/2008 vs Concord University

    The Battler Soccer team held its grasp on the WVIAC lead last week as it captured two shutouts over conference competition.
    On September 24, the Battlers team traveled to Athens to face Concord University.  The Battlers struck first at the 31:13 mark of the first period when senior Eric Belcher scored on an assist from Michael Wilson.  Wilson, a junior from London, England, then assisted freshman Chris Doran on another goal less than six minutes later.  With twelve minutes remaining in the period, Wilson would score a goal of his own on an assist from Michael McDermott.  The Battlers would not score in the second half, but that would not matter as they captured a 3-0 win.
    The Battlers were outshot 17-13, but received eight saves from keeper Neil Wright-Elliot to keep the Mountain Lions scoreless.  Both squads had five corner kicks in the contest.
    Three days later, the Battlers were hosted by the Fighting Tigers of Salem International.  Once again, a stellar A-B offense would take the field as it put up four goals in the first period and tacked on another in the second to earn a 5-0 victory.
    The Battlers received goals from five different players, including Belcher, Wilson, Doran, Kevin Lake and Shinya Turley.  The assists were also evenly distributed among the team as McDermott, Wilson, Turley, and Brad Burkhart each recorded one for the afternoon.  The squad’s defense also shined as it prevented Salem from taking any shots.  A-B, on the other hand, had 34 shots and held a 6-0 advantage in corner kicks.
    The Battlers return to action October 1 when they travel to Davis and Elkins College.  They will then host West Virginia Wesleyan on October 4 for a 2 PM contest.

9/16/2008 vs Wheeling Jesuit University, 9/20/2008 vs University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown

    The Battler soccer team competed in a pair of conference matches last week in hopes of maintaining their unblemished WVIAC record.
    On September 16, the Coach Dan Kelly’s squad traveled to Wheeling Jesuit University for a rival contest.  After two scoreless halves by both teams, the game was forced into overtime.  The hosting Cardinals had several more opportunities at the goal, taking 19 shots compared to only seven by the Battlers.  However, Alderson Broaddus’ Quan Arboleda, a freshman from Morgantown, took the one that mattered as he scored an unassisted goal 4:15 into the extra period.  The Battlers would then use their defense to keep the Cardinals at bay and capture a 1-0 victory.  Arboleda and Zach Marshall both took two shots for the Battlers, while sophomore keeper Neil Wright-Elliot had ten saves.
    On September 20, the Battlers returned home to host the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown.  Like the previous game, neither team managed to find the back of the net in the ninety minutes of regulation.  Unfortunately, the ball would not bounce in favor of the Battlers as the Mountain Cats’ Jay Swope scored with just under two minutes remaining in the overtime period.  Time would then run out on A-B as they were on the other end of a 1-0 contest.  Brandon Coleman, Mike Wilson, and Eric Belcher each took two shots for the Battlers, while Wright-Elliot recorded seven saves.
    The Battlers will be on the road for their next three contests, traveling to Concord University on September 24, Salem International University on September 27, and nationally-ranked Davis and Elkins College on October 1. All three will give the Battlers an opportunity to improve on their 3-1 conference record.

9/10/2008 vs Shepherd University, 9/13/2008 vs Mercyhurst College

    The Alderson-Broaddus soccer team looked to add to its win total as it took on two solid opponents last week.
    On September 10, the Battlers entertained the Rams of Shepherd University.  Neither team found the back of the net in the first half, so both teams came out firing in the second.  Fortunately, A-B would be the first to be rewarded for its efforts when Zach Marshall, a senior from Lima, Ohio, netted a pass from freshman Brandon Coleman at the 43:13 mark.  Despite not capitalizing on several other offensive opportunities, the single goal would prove to be the deciding factor as the Battlers won 1-0.  The Battlers outshot the Rams 14-10, with six of its opportunities from Heiko Voss and three coming from Eric Belcher.  Neil Wright-Elliot, the Battlers’ sophomore keeper, had nine saves in goal.
    Three days later, A-B traveled to Mercyhurst College.  The Lakers would put up three goals in the first stanza and an additional score in the second to capture a 4-0 victory.  Coleman took four of the Battlers’ eleven shots, while Belcher had three, and fellow senior, Ryan Burr, had two.  Wright-Elliot recorded four saves.
    A-B returns to action when this Saturday, September 20, when they host the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown at 2 PM.  The squad’s record currently sits at 2-3, with an unblemished 2-0 record in the WVIAC.

8/28/2008 vs CA University of PA, 9/03/2008 vs University of Charleston, 9/07/2008 vs Lock Haven University

    The Battler soccer team began the season once again with a solid core of returning players, including All-WVIAC selections Michael McDermott, Kevin Lake, Michael Wilson, and Zach Marshall.  To complement his returners, Coach Dan Kelly brought in eight new faces to help the Battlers once again compete for the conference title.
    To open the season, A-B traveled to California University of Pennsylvania for an out-of-conference matchup on August 28.  The Vulcans held a 1-0 lead at the half before adding three more in the second half to capture a 4-1 victory.  The Battlers’ lone goal game from freshman Jared Patrick, a native of McMechen, West Virginia.  Sophomore keeper Neil Wright-Elliot had nine saves on 21 shot attempts.  Patrick, Michael Wilson, and Michael McDermott each had two shots.
    On September 7, the Battlers competed in their first home contest as it entertained Lock Haven University. The Eagles tallied its only goal within the first few minutes of the game, but it would prove to be enough as neither team would find the back of the net throughout the remainder of the contest.  Wilson had three shots, while Heiko Voss, a native of Germany, took two attempts.  Wright-Elliot collected nine saves while facing 19 shots.
    The Battlers’ record currently sits at 1-2 after capturing a 2-1 victory over the University of Charleston.  However, no statistics were available.  The squad will return to action on September 10 at home against Shepherd University.  The contest is scheduled to begin at 4 PM.  It will then travel to Mercyhurst College on September 13 and Wheeling Jesuit University on September 16.

Recap for Week of October 21-28, 2008

The Battler soccer team picked up a pair of victories this past week to break a five game losing skid.

On October 21, the Battlers hosted Columbia Union College of Takoma Park, Maryland.  A-B scored the lone goal of the first period, while the Pioneers answered with a score in the second.  In the overtime period, the Battlers would respond to take the lead once again and capture a 2-1 victory.  Junior Michael Wilson and senior Ryan Burr scored the goals for the Battlers, while Kevin Lake took four shots.  Neil Wright-Elliot recorded six saves on the afternoon.  A-B had a 17-14 advantage in shots, and had the only two shots of the extra period.  Each team took two corner kicks on the afternoon.

Four days later, the Battlers traveled to Seton Hill University for a WVIAC contest.  Neither squad would light up the scoreboard in the ninety minutes of regulation, forcing the game into overtime.  It would seem, however, that a second overtime period would be in order until Heiko Voss scored on assist from Wilson at the very last moment of the extra session.  A-B was limited to just six shots compared to eleven by the Griffins, but the Battlers took the only shot by either team in the overtime period.  Wright-Elliot was stellar in goal for the Battlers once again, recording eight saves in his fifth shut-out of the season.  Seton Hill had an 11-0 advantage in corner kicks.

The second-ranked Battlers’ final regular season contest will be Saturday, November 1 when they host East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania at 1 PM.  They will then enter WVIAC tournament play next week.

 

Battlers Pick Up First Win of Season

The A-B College Men's soccer picked up their first victory of the season with a convincing 3-1 win over Washington Adventist (2-2) (Formerly known as Columbia Union).

The Battler's (1-2) raced out to a 2-0 lead at the break on goals by Robbie Stewart and Mike Wilson. Stewart would score in the 7th minute as he would finish off a cross from Heiko Voss. Wilson would add his 2nd goal of the season as he would put back a rebound in the 24th minute.

Voss would make it 3-0 in the 6oth on a Penalty Kick.

WA would get on the board in the 75th minute, as Se-Eun Park would convert on the PK for his 5th goal of the year.

The physical contest saw both teams finish the game with 10 players. WAU would have Brima Konneh sent off in the 61st minute and A-B's Kevin Lake would be sent off in the 75th minute. For the game their were six yellow cards and two red cards.

The Battlers held a 16-12 advantage on shots. Each keeper would record three saves.