Oregon State is Ready to Kickoff the 2013 Season
August 28, 2013 | Men's Soccer
CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Oregon State men's soccer team is ready to kick off its 2013 campaign. After beginning practice on Aug. 14, the Beavers will open their regular season on Friday, when they host Cleveland State at 7 p.m. at Paul Lorenz Field.
This year's Oregon State schedule features four matches against teams ranked in the NSCAA's Preseason Top-25, all four of which will come in Pac-12 play, as the Beavers play home-and-home matches against No. 9 UCLA and No. 23 Washington. Oregon State will also have eight regular season matches televised live on Pac-12 Networks.
The Beavers played their lone preseason match of 2013 last week, defeating Northwest Nazarene 6-0, and now Oregon State is ready to get its competitive slate underway.
Here is a position-by-position breakdown of the Beavers' 2013 squad:
Forwards:
One of the main challenges for the Beavers this season will be replacing the goal-scoring production that they lost in the offseason. Three of last season's top four goal-scorers are no longer with the team, including Emery Welshman, who led the Beavers last season with 10 goals. Still, Oregon State has reasons for optimism. Junior Khiry Shelton will look to improve on his four-goal tally from 2012, after being named one of the Top 100 players in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer earlier this month. He will be joined up front by senior transfer Borce Atanasov, who has impressed the coaching staff during the spring after leading the Northwest Athletic Association of Community Colleges in goals and earning NWAACC Player of the Year honors while playing at Clark College last season. Senior Daniel Van Vleet found the net twice during last Friday's exhibition, and will look to close out his collegiate career on a high note this season. Junior Mike Reckmeyer could also figure into the Beavers' 2013 plans, as he looks to bring size and strength to the front line.
Junior Oscar Flores will also look to make a mark this season, along with freshmen Spencer Kleweno and Michael Steele.
Midfielders:
Holding down the center of the midfield this campaign will be junior Jackson Groves. The Adelaide, Australia, native missed much of last season with drop-foot, but returns to the lineup this year, and looks poised to grab hold of a starting spot. He will be joined in the central midfield by freshman Ole Sandnes, who has impressed the coaching staff with his strength during the preseason. Also looking for a place in the midfield in 2013 is sophomore Bjorn Sandberg, who also has the ability to play in the center of defense. Sandberg played 16 games last season, recording two assists. Senior Josh Smith will also see time in the center of the pitch. The upperclassman recorded a goal and an assist in the Beavers' exhibition match. Sophomore Eric Johanson could enter into the central midfield mix, after transferring from UC Riverside in 2011.
On the wings, the Beavers will be propelled forward by sophomore Mikhail Doholis, who started 15 games in 18 appearances last season. The Vancouver, Wash., native tallied two goals and two assists in 2012. Running the channels on the other side of the field will be junior transfer Chance Bergen, who joins Oregon State from SMU. Bergen looks to be a threat from set pieces, whipping balls into the box from corners and free kicks. Freshman Devonte Small could also figure into the mix, after tallying an assist in the exhibition match.
Defenders:
The Beaver back line will be held together by the centerback pairing of juniors Will Seymore and Brenden Anderson. Anderson started all 18 games last season, and should be a stalwart in central defense again this season. Seymore played largely in a central midfield capacity in 2012, but will look to make a new home for himself on the back line in 2013. Both Anderson and Seymore found the net in Friday's exhibition, with Seymore scoring on a free kick and Anderson putting a header past the goalie following a corner kick. Freshman Jacob Szuch will serve as a back-up centerback for the Beavers.
On the outside, Oregon State will look to senior outside-back Alex Eckerson to provide cover. Eckerson appeared in 12 games last season and made eight starts. The Beaver senior has the skillset to be an asset not only in his own half, but going forward as well. Eckerson made a number of overlapping runs against Northwest Nazarene, and recorded a pair of assists on crosses into the box. Opposite Eckerson, the Beavers have options in junior Chase Raskowsky and freshmen Zach Striar, Brendan Woodfull and Jonathan Stadler. Striar got the start in the exhibition match, playing the opening 45 minutes. Woodfull entered the game at the start of the second half, and played through part of the overtime period. Raskowsky is a versatile threat, capable of playing in both defensive and midfield roles. The junior played in 17 games last year, making one start.
Freshman Matt Arbogast has the potential to make an impact either as an attacking midfielder or as an outside-back. Redshirt freshman Keenan dePinna and true freshmen David Boldt also look to find time in the back-four.
Goalkeepers:
The Beavers will look to a familiar face between the pipes. Redshirt sophomore Matt Bersano started all 18 games last season, and played all but 30 minutes. Bersano led the Pac-12 in 2012 with 79 saves and ended the year tied for third in the conference with four shutouts. After a strong rookie campaign, the Tempe, Ariz., native is looking to continue to improve this season.
Backing up Bersano will be redshirt freshman Tyler Patterson and freshman Mitchell North.
Quotes from the coaches:
Head coach Steve Simmons on…
Forwards:
Khiry Shelton: “Unfortunately Khiry hasn't been able to put a full year together due to injury, but he has shown some glimpses of brilliance. I know it is a goal of his to have a full season this year. When he's been on, he's been a top player for us.”
Borce Atanasov: “Borce has a knack for scoring goals. He got a chance to understand the demands of what we're looking for during the winter and the spring, so he'll be very excited to get a chance to play at his level and I think he compliment's Khiry well.”
Daniel Van Vleet: “Danny's movement and runs off the ball are some of the best on the team. He had a very good spring campaign. He's been able to work off the ball so well. He is really muscle-bound, and he has done well to combine soccer fitness with his strength.”
Mike Reckmeyer: “Mike has had to sit behind Emery Welshman for the last few years, but I think he's a natural finisher. His ability to read the game has improved with experience, and I think he can really help us this year.”
Oscar Flores: “Oscar is a natural finisher. He was unlucky to break his foot in the spring, and he is just starting to get back to full fitness. He's a natural goalscorer and he runs the channels well, so I think having him available helps our forward line.”
Spencer Kleweno: “Spencer is a meat and potatoes striker. He is strong and he likes to bang in the air. He's an effective finisher in the box, and he's getting used to playing at this level.”
Midfielders:
Jackson Groves: “We really missed Jackson's presence after a season-ending injury last year. He's a physically and emotionally mature player, and he's about as competitive as they come. He will add some steel to the spine of the team, and that will help us.”
Josh Smith: “Josh is one of the fittest guys on the team. He can run forever and he is tough as nails. He's improved his cleanliness on the ball. He's in his senior year, and I know he wants to go out on a high note.”
Bjorne Sandberg: “Bjorne is comfortable both in the midfield and in central defense, and we will rotate him to one of those spots as needed. He's got a good grasp of what it takes to play at this level. He's very strong in the air and very composed on the ball.”
Ole Sandnes: “Ole has a lot of quality on the ball. He's a true two-way player, and he can run from box to box. He can score goals and he's capable of good combination play, but this is still his freshman year, and he hasn't experienced the American collegiate system of playing Friday-Sunday.”
Mikhail Doholis: “Mikhail started really well last season. I know he's got some high aspirations of how he wants to improve this season. He's a very trick winger. He can go inside or outside and he loves to take people on.”
Chance Bergen: “Chance sat out all of last year, but he did some good things during training. He's very good on the ball and he's got a lot of tools in his toolkit. He can play out wide on either side, and I think he's chomping at the bit to get on the field this year.”
Michael Steele: “Michael can run at players and can play inside and out. He's very strong technically. He can score or set up the play. He is going to get better as he gets more time here, and he can develop his physique.”
Devonte Small: “Devonte has some very good 1-v-1 talent. He likes to run at players. He made a nice assist in the preseason scrimmage. He's learning some aspects of what it takes to be a two-way player, but he's got the right attitude.”
Eric Johanson: “This is really EJ's first time playing at full fitness in a while. He likes to sit in the hole in front of the centerbacks. He's learning what the demands are as a center midfielder on this team.”
Defenders:
Will Seymore: “We've converted Will from a midfielder to a defender. I think he's settled in quite well for us. He's solid in the air, and he's a very good passer. He knows what's coming and he can handle expectations.”
Brenden Anderson: “Brenden is very aggressive. He's a soldier back there. He is always continuing to improve on the finer points of the position. He's also been a threat on set-pieces.”
Alex Eckerson: “Alex is a very versatile outside-back. He can play on either side, and he has the experience of playing against Pac-12 opponents. He's very competitive and he can make some plays in the attacking third for us.”
Zach Striar: “Zach had a very solid spring campaign for us at outside-back. Now he's grinding it out in the fall, and I think he's got a pretty good grasp on 1-v-1 defending. He will continue to improve with more repetitions this fall.”
Matt Arbogast: “Matt had a chance to play in some spring games. He is versatile, and that is going to help him get onto the field. He can play in an attacking role, and he can play outside-back as well.”
John Stadler: “John can play centerback or outside-back. He's very confident in passing out of the back. He's a very good competitor, and I think he will help us raise the bar at the back.”
Jacob Szuch: “Jacob is a big guy and he's very good in the air. He has good speed and he can play well in the back. There are certain positions that you improve at with age, and centerback is one of them, so for him it's just about learning to read what's in front of him and continuing to improve.”
Brendan Woodfull: “We're looking and Brendan in multiple positions. He can play up top, he can play out wide and he can play outside-back. He's got good pace, and he is able to serve the ball into the box if he gets forward.”
David Boldt: “David plays primarily left-back, but he's a two-footed player. He's very steady and hard on the tackle. He has a great soccer IQ. He's just learning what we want out of an outside-back and he will get it sooner than later.”
Chase Raskowsky: “Chase is a natural left-sided player. He can play both the left-back and left-midfield positions. You always want experience on your back line and Chase brings that, so if we can get him honed in at left-back that would be great, but he's a versatile player.”
Keenan dePinna: “Keenan has very good timing in the air and he has decent feel. He's still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the Pac-12. He's a very versatile player, so we'll see where he lands positionally.”
Assistant coach Terry Boss on…
Goalkeepers:
Matt Bersano: “I think Matt is the man to beat. He has done an excellent job of earning the spot and keeping it. He just continues to improve with experience and he's ready for the season.”
Tyler Patterson: “Patterson has a lot to offer. Our group is a good group and he is part of that. He's working hard and every time he comes out there we see a lot out of him.”
Mitchell North: “Mitch has fantastic size and he's played at a high level in the past. We're expecting big things out of him.”
